What Really Happened to Andy Hillstrand From Deadliest Catch

Why Andy Hillstrand Left Deadliest Catch and What He’s Doing Now

The sheer extremity of Deadliest Catch has made it one of the most-watched reality shows in America. The show brings a unique and gritty dimension to reality television by chronicling the lives of crab fishermen aboard rugged fishing vessels in the Bering Sea during the treacherous Alaskan king crab and snow crab fishing seasons. While it might seem like an exciting adventure from the comfort of a living room, the brutal weather conditions, gale-force winds, and deadly waves have made filming so dangerous that U.S. Coast Guard rescue squads had to be stationed near the northern crab fishing grounds—especially after three fishing vessels were lost in just three years.

Premiering on Discovery Channel on April 12, 2005, Deadliest Catch lives up to its name, derived from the high risk and mortality rates associated with commercial crab fishing. The show emphasizes the hazards on deck as fishermen and camera crews dodge swinging crab pots, haul in hundreds of pounds of catch, and maneuver through slippery, storm-lashed decks.

Among the standout stars of the show were brothers Andy and Jonathan Hillstrand, co-captains of the FV Time Bandit—a 113-foot vessel designed by their father, John Hillstrand Sr. Andy Hillstrand, born in 1963 in Homer, Alaska, was a third-generation commercial fisherman. Raised by his father and stepmother Nancy after his mother left the family at a young age, Andy took to the sea early, even taking his brother Jonathan fishing when he was just seven.

Andy spent over 30 years in commercial fishing before joining Deadliest Catch. Though not much is known about his formal education, his hands-on experience speaks volumes. Before Deadliest Catch, he appeared in several other TV shows, including American Chopper, After the Catch, and The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. Yet it was Deadliest Catch that brought him into the limelight.

Andy’s time on the show was marked by friendly rivalries—most notably with Sig Hansen of the FV Northwestern. However, a few seasons ago, fans began to notice Andy’s absence. Speculation swirled, especially as his brother Jonathan returned to the show solo. Eventually, it was revealed that Andy decided to leave due to mounting tension with the show’s producers. He cited scheduling issues and disagreements over creative control as key reasons for his departure. “It got to the point where something had to change,” Andy said in an interview. “We butted heads with the producers and just said, ‘Enough is enough.’”

His exit was not due to being fired, but rather a mutual decision following strained relations. Compounding the situation was a lawsuit filed by a Time Bandit crew member injured by a firework from the family’s own brand, Hillstrand Fireworks. Then, in 2018, the Time Bandit suffered a catastrophic engine explosion, prompting the brothers to put it up for sale for $2.9 million.

Today, Andy lives a quieter life in the Seattle area, fully focused on his construction business, Hillstrand Construction. Though he had to take a brief break in 2017 for back surgery, he has since recovered and continues to build his brand. He has stayed away from social media and public life, preferring privacy and stability.

He and his wife Sabrina also run Hobby Horse Acres, a horse ranch in Chandler, Indiana, inspired by their daughter Cassandra’s love for horses. Andy, an accomplished horseman, has won several titles including the 1998 Alaska NBHA Reserve title and was the NBHA state champion in 1999 and 2000.

Although Andy has ruled out a return to Deadliest Catch, fans continue to miss his presence on the Time Bandit. As he dreams of retiring on a yacht in warmer waters, it’s clear that his days battling the icy waves of the Bering Sea are behind him. Still, Andy Hillstrand remains a figure of resilience, independence, and entrepreneurial spirit.