• Jonathan Hillstrand was born in Alaska and is the second eldest of five children.
• He is a third-generation fisherman and had his first experience on a boat at three years old.
• Jonathan owns the family fishing vessel, Time Bandit, is the captain, and the family owns multiple businesses under the Time Bandit name.
• Jonathan is married and has two children from a previous marriage and a stepbrother in the Christian music industry.
• He has a net worth of over $2.2 million, as of mid-2020.
Discovery Channel often sheds light on unconventional careers that are poorly portrayed in the mainstream media. One such show is “Deadliest Catch”, which allows the public to gain a glimpse into the lives of crab fishermen in the Bering Sea, off the Alaskan coast. Jonathan Hillstrand is the celebrated captain of the F/V Time Bandit, which was heavily featured in the show during the first 14 seasons. However, he departed the show with little explanation before the filming of the 15th season. Jonathan is a husband and father who is well known for his love of pranks and a light-hearted personality when the fishing boat is not at sea.
Contents
- 1 Early Life and Family
- 1.1 Family
- 1.2 Childhood
- 2 Education
- 3 Career
- 3.1 Fishing Career
- 3.2 Family Businesses
- 3.3 Reality Television
- 4 Personal Life
- 5 Appearance and Weight Loss
- 6 Net Worth and Salary
Early Life and Family
Family
Jonathan Hillstrand was born on 5 August 1962, in Alaska, USA to John Hillstrand, Senior. Jonathan is the second eldest of five children, his older brother David working on Alaska’s North Slope, and one of his younger brothers, Michael, based in Georgia where he works as a medical professional. His two other brothers, Andy and Neal worked alongside him in the fishing industry. Although we do not know the name of his biological mother – John Senior’s first wife – his stepmother Nancy Hillstrand is a positive force in his life. Nancy owns the family seafood distributing company and serves as the glue that keeps the family together.
Jonathan also has a stepbrother, Lincoln Brewster, who is involved in the Christian music industry.
Childhood
As a third-generation fisherman, it is unsurprising that Jonathan had his first experience on a boat when he was only three years old. This was the beginning of a lifelong passion, and he was independently fishing by the age of seven. Jonathan attended school like any other child, but he knew right from the start that his career would not follow an academic path.
Education
Although Jonathan did finish his high school education, he immediately entered the commercial fishing industry, having applied for and received all the necessary licenses while he was still a teenager.
Most of what Jonathan knows about seafaring and fishing was taught to him by his father, John Sr.
Career
Fishing Career
Jonathan did not initially begin his career in the family crab fishing business, but spent some eight years fishing for lobster off the coast of New England. The prized family fishing vessel was designed and built by Jonathan’s father in 1991 and is still in use to this day.
To extend the crab fishing seasons, many Alaskan fishing vessels began hunting for different crabs according to the seasons and conditions. However, this can be extremely taxing on the crew, as it requires the boats to spend months at a time away from land, minimizing the time that can be spent away from work, and so with family.
The Hillstrand family has figured out how to make the best of both the changing seasons and the crew they have. During the King Crab season, Jonathan oversees the Time Bandit, while his brother Andy Captains the boat during Opilio season. Neal, however, is the sole engineer on the boat, and therefore works during both fishing seasons.
Family Businesses
When not at sea, there is an entire plethora of family businesses under the franchise name “Time Bandit” that need to be maintained. The family owns Time Bandit Fireworks, Time Bandit Gear Store, Time Bandit Entertainment, Time Bandit Productions, and Time Bandit Spirits – which includes their own brand of vodka and a Bloody Mary mix.
Only in Alaska 🙂 “You can take the kid out of Alaska ,but you can’t take Alaska out of the Kid !” Grandma Jo pic.twitter.com/q4XRpi8eqg
— Johnathan Hillstrand (@captjohnathan) July 20, 2020
Their entertainment company boasts a mobile escape room package, and provides customized entertainment for weddings, parties, and more.
Reality Television
Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” premiered on 12 August 2005, and documents the high-risk lives of crab fishermen in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska. The freezing and erratic weather and sea pattern pose a large risk to the fishermen on their vessels, as they are often far out to sea and hours away from assistance.
The show documents the drama and lives of the boat crews and their captains, and unlike other Discovery Channel shows that have been criticized for their simulated drama and tension, the events on “Deadliest Catch” are all too real.
Occasionally the producers have been known to re-appropriate footage to create greater impressions of the storms at sea, but these allegations are few and far between.
The Time Bandit is somewhat of a unique vessel on the Bering Sea, as it’s been custom fitted by the Hillstrand family with comforts that allow for a more pleasurable stay at sea. The 133-ft boat has often been referred to as a houseboat as opposed to a fishing vessel, due to amenities such as a sauna, a dishwasher, and staterooms. The boat only takes a crew of six, and most of the time it is the brothers who make up 50 percent of that crew.
The Time Bandit first appeared in “Deadliest Catch” during the second season, and became a fan favorite until it was mysteriously cut after the conclusion of the 13th season.
At the time it was unclear what prompted Hillstrand’s departure from the show, his comments and posts sending mixed messages to audiences across the globe. Hillstrand told fans “You see me back out here again, kick me right in the nuts and gouge my eyes out. I’ll do it myself …if I come out here again. I’ll kick myself in my own nuts and poke my own eye.” He called his withdrawal from the show a retirement, but continued to post photos of his fishing ventures, frustrating and confusing the disappointed fanbase.
However, this retirement was short-lived, and by the time the 15th season rolled around, there were rumors that Time Bandit would be returning to the show. However, Hillstrand was forced to sit out the season when the engine of the beloved family boat exploded, shoring them for a significant period.
The Hillstrands were eventually forced to sell the boat, but were able to return for the 16th season of the show, to much celebration and excitement of long-time fans.
Personal Life
Jonathan Hillstrand has two children from a previous marriage. While he often mentions his son Scott, there is little known about his daughter. Scott Hillstrand initially set out to follow in his father’s footsteps in the fishing industry, but was fired from the Time Bandit by his uncle, Andy. He now runs Hillstrand Construction Company, and has a son named Sawyer.
Jonathan started dating Heather Hamilton, with whom he enjoyed a long courtship, before the two eventually married on 6 November 2017. Heather is happy to assume the surname Hillstrand, and has several children of her own from a previous marriage.
Posted by Johnathan Hillstrand onSunday, 26 July 2020
Appearance and Weight Loss
Jonathan Hillstrand has a full head of pale brown hair, and often sports a small beard. Although he has aged well, it is unclear whether or not he has lost any significant amount of weight over the past few years. He is 5ft 2ins (1.85m) tall, and weighs 175lbs (80kgs).
Net Worth and Salary
Jonathan Hillstrand has a bevy of business from which he collects his revenue, from the entire Time Bandit franchise to the seafood distribution businesses. The cast of Discovery Channel shows is also purportedly paid a significant salary for their appearance on the show. In addition to these businesses, Hillstrand is also the author of several books, both for adults and children. He has a net worth is estimated at over $2.2 million, as of mid-2020.
FAQs
Does Johnathan Hillstrand have any children? ›
Who is Neal Hillstrand wife? ›Neal Hillstrand is married to Sugayle Marie. They have three children.
Who owns the Time Bandit boat now? ›The F/V Time Bandit is a commercial crab fishing vessel co‑ by brothers Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand. It is featured on the Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch. The Time Bandit is a 113-foot house aft boat owned by the Hillstrand brothers that was designed by the Hillstrands' father.
How long has Jonathan Hillstrand been married? ›Johnathan and Heather first met at church. They dated for several years before tying the knot in Las Vegas in 2017. After the ceremony, Johnathan even attempted to serenade Heather.
Who owns Hillstrand construction? ›We always leave our customers happy with the finished project. Meet the Business Owner: Scott H. Scott is a well rounded individual who when he puts his mind to something he completes it. He decided he needed a new career and opened Hillstrand Construction.
What nationality is Johnathan Hillstrand? › Who is Phillip on Time Bandit? ›| Phil Harris | |
|---|---|
| Harris and long time crewman Murray Gamrath in the early 90s. | |
| Born | Phillip Charles HarrisDecember 19, 1956 Bothell, Washington, United States |
| Died | February 9, 2010 (aged 53) Anchorage, Alaska, United States |
| Other names | Skipper, Captain |
Freddy Maugatai (born 4 February 1973 in Pago Pago, American Samoa) is a Samoan deck hand and veteran crabber aboard the Wizard on the reality television show The Deadliest Catch. Maugatai has over 18 years of fishing experience and lives in San Diego, California.
Why did the Time Bandit quit fishing? ›The reason that Time Bandit wasn't on 'Deadliest Catch' had a lot to do with the Hillstrand brothers' tenure on the show. To recap, the ship's owners, the Hillstrand brothers — Neal, Johnathan, and Andy — left reality television life behind after Season 13.
Who owns FV Cornelia Marie? ›Currently owned by Casey McManus, Kari Toivola, Roger Thomas and Josh Harris.
Which boat sank on Deadliest Catch? ›
It was F/V Big Valley's captain, Gary Edwards, who demonstrated the EPIRB for the show. The boat was also part of the pilot episode of Deadliest Catch in 2004. There were no known cameras or production crew on board the boat when it sank in 2005.
Who owns the Cornelia Marie boat? ›Deadliest Catch - F/V Cornelia Marie - Cornelia Marie Crew with owner Cornelia Marie Devlin | Facebook.
What is Rip Carlton's net worth? ›What is Rip Carlton's net worth? Rip Carlton's decades of experience have paid off well — literally. According to Gossip Next Door, he's worth an estimated $1.5 million dollars as of 2022. Captains on Deadliest Catch often make more than $100,000 per season, and that's for only a few months of work.
How much is the boat the Time Bandit worth? ›'Deadliest Catch' Time Bandit's for Sale for $2.88 Mil
The Time Bandit -- which debuted on the hit Discovery show in season 2 -- has hit the market for a whopping $2,888,888 million.
The current position of TIME BANDIT is at North East Atlantic Ocean reported 18 hours ago by AIS.
What boat is Wild Bill's son on? ›Zack Larson is now the captain of the F/V Elinore J. Throughout his tenure on Deadliest Catch, much of the focus on Zack was regarding his relationship with his father, “Wild” Bill Wichrowski.
What does Andy hillstrand do for a living? ›He now lives somewhere within the Seattle-Tacoma area and is the proud owner of Hillstrand Construction, a company he founded from the ground up.
Why did Andy Hillstrand not come back? ›During the chat, Andy said there was a lot of misunderstanding on the show. Andy and his crew thought the channel had everything they wanted, however, they came back and said they needed some shots which disturbed their schedule. Gradually, as the circumstances became severe, he decided to leave the show.
How old is sig from Deadliest Catch? › Where was Johnathan Hillstrand born? ›Who is Sig Hansen's daughter? ›
Sig Hansen
Why is Josh no longer on the Cornelia Marie? ›DEADLIEST Catch star Josh Harris has been fired from the Discovery show after it was discovered he sexually assaulted a four-year-old girl in 1998.
Who is Josh Harris married to? ›Harris married Shannon Hendrickson in 1998. They have had three children. His brothers, twins Alex and Brett, authored The Rebelution (rebelution is a neologism defined by its creators as "a teenage rebellion against low expectations).
What happened to Phil Harris? ›How did Phil Harris die? On February 9, 2010, Harris passed away at the age of 53 after he suffered a stroke while unloading the boat at Saint Paul Island, Alaska. The stroke happened a few days prior, on January 29, but ended up putting him in a medically-induced coma after surgery.
What happened to Mike Fourtner from the Time Bandit? ›One featured ship, the Time Bandit, captained by brothers Andy and Jonathan Hillstrand, has ties to Lewis County. Former Ship Engineer Mike Fourtner calls Lewis County home. After living in Napavine for 10 years, he and his family are currently building a house in Adna.
Why did Matt Bradley leave the Northwestern? ›Matt left the Northwestern to run his business's with his wife. However due to things that they could not control. He had to return to the Bering Sea to make money for his family. What some people don't know is your spot on a boat isn't always saved when you leave.
What is the average salary for Deadliest Catch? ›Their vessels are designed with heavy gears, crab pots, and other apparatus. It's like a mini floating factory that harbours and preserves the crabs until they reach their destination. The captains earn between $25,000 and $50,000 per episode. Their average annual salary is estimated at $200,000.
Why was the king crab season Cancelled? ›Got it! Last month Bristol Bay king crab and Bering Sea snow crab season were cancelled after low population counts during the summer. This closure affected approximately 60 fishing fleets based out of Alaska, Washington, Oregon and results in a nearly $287 million loss.
Who owns the saga? ›...
| Jake Anderson | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Captain of the FV Saga, TV Personality, Author |
| Spouse | Jenna Anderson |
| Children | Aiden Anderson Cadence Anderson Luca Anderson |
A fisherman or boat owner would have to pay between $28-30 per pound for King crab quota, $9-10 for opilio, and $12 for Tanner crab.
What percentage of the Cornelia Marie does Casey own? ›
The reason I made that phone call was to try to get him to snap out of it. (Jake and Josh) only own 25 percent of the boat, Cornelia (Marie Devlin) owns 75 percent. The Coast Guard has a zero-tolerance policy.
Does Wild Bill own the Summer Bay? ›Wild Bill, a Navy veteran, is the skipper of the F/V Summer Bay, a fishing vessel built in 1981. It was the first ship he purchased for himself after years of manning crabbing boats. He first joined what he calls "the boats" when he met some crabbers a few months after leaving the Navy in 1979.
Who owns boats in Deadliest Catch? ›To date the Northwestern is the only vessel to have featured on all 18 seasons of Deadliest Catch as well as the pilot series America's Deadliest Season. The vessel is owned and operated by the Hansen family of the state of Washington with Sig Hansen serving as the vessel's primary captain.
Who has the biggest boat on the fleet of Deadliest Catch? ›The biggest crab boat on Deadliest Catch is Fierce Allegiance at 166 feet (or 50.6 meters long) from season 1. It is closely followed in size by Wizard (156 feet), Southern Wind (148 feet), Lady Alaska (138 feet), and Trailblazer (133 feet).
What ships are still on Deadliest Catch? ›| Fishing Vessel | Captain(s) | Season(s) |
|---|---|---|
| F/V Saga | Jake Anderson & Johnathan Hillstrand | 16 |
| M/S Stålbas | Sig Hansen | 18 |
| F/V Summer Bay | "Wild" Bill Wichrowski | 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 |
| F/V Southern Wind | Steve "Harley" Davidson | 15, 16, 17, 18 |
While sonar imaging found the Destination lying on its side on the ocean floor, the bodies of Captain Jeff Hathaway, Kai Hamik, Charles Glen Jones, Larry O'Grady, Darrik Seibold and Raymond Vincler have not been found.
Who owns the Wizard crab boat? ›John Jorgensen sold the vessel to Keith Colburn in July of 2005. John maintains a close relationship with Keith who harvests his IFQ allocation, as well as that of a number of other IFQ crab holders, all by lease agreements.
Who owns the saga crab fishing boat? ›Elliott Neese - Captain/Owner - Saga LLC | LinkedIn.
What is Jake Harris doing now? ›Is Jake Harris back on 'Deadliest Catch'? Yes, Jake returned to TV in the first episode of Deadliest Catch: Bloodline Season 2 alongside his brother, and again for a few episodes of Season 3 in 2022.
How much did Vanessa Carlton make? ›Vanessa Carlton is an American musician and singer-songwriter who has a net worth of $10 million.
Who is Rip Carlton? ›
Rip Carlton began fishing crab in Alaska about 46 years ago, starting out as a deckhand, and working his way up to captain. When he's not helming his boat, the Patricia Lee, he lives with his wife in Bend.
How much is Jonathan from Time Bandit worth? ›Johnathan Hillstrand net worth: Jonathan Hillstrand is an Alaskan commercial fishing vessel captain who has a net worth of $2.2 million.
Who owns Time Bandit now? ›The F/V Time Bandit is a commercial crab fishing vessel co‑ by brothers Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand. It is featured on the Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch. The Time Bandit is a 113-foot house aft boat owned by the Hillstrand brothers that was designed by the Hillstrands' father.
Who is the richest cast member on Deadliest Catch? ›Widely considered one of the more abrasive characters on the show, Captain Wichrowski's wealth is estimated to be $3 million and reportedly draws an annual salary of $300,000 from Deadliest Catch.
Did the Time Bandit sink? ›March 3, 2014 at 1:52 p.m. Time ran out Friday night for the pirate ship Time Bandit, which sunk in 12 feet of water on the south shore of Big Bear Lake as a storm blew through the mountain area.
How much does a Bering Sea crab boat cost? ›Small crab boats can cost $80,000 to $160,000 on the used market. Each large commercial crab boat will cost thousands of dollars to maintain and operate each year. It's not unheard of for some crab boats to cost as much as $5 million dollars new. The engines can sometimes cost up to $2 million.
Who was the captain of Ramblin Rose? ›Capt. Elliott Neese was just 28 years old when he took the helm of Ramblin' Rose, and he quickly became one of the show's most controversial characters.
Is Jonathan from the Time Bandit married? ›When he's not out on his commercial boat F/V Time Bandit on “Deadliest Catch,” Jonathan Hillstrand is spending time with another love of his. The TV personality is married and recently posted a sweet photo alongside his wife in honor of their anniversary. He wrote, “Happy 4 year anniversary baby!!!
How much is Johnathan Hillstrand of the Time Bandit worth? ›About Johnathan Hillstrand
American reality television personality and ship captain, Johnathan Hillstrand, has an estimated net worth of $2.2 million. He is the co-owner and co-captain of the F/V Time Bandit that is seen on the Discovery Channel's reality show Deadliest Catch.
When he does get a break, Johnathan splits his time between Seattle and Homer,Alaska spending time with family and friends. Johnathan has two grown children, Tae and Scott, and two grandchildren.
Who is the new captain of the Time Bandit? ›
Captain John
Johnathan Hillstrand, 46, was also born and raised in Alaska. As Captain of Time Bandit during King Crab season, he runs a tight ship.
Although he retired a few years back, the F/V Time Bandit captain made a big change to his life. John got married to his wife Heather Hillstrand.
Why was Josh on the Time Bandit? ›"And I could give you some quota if that sweetens the pot." Though Josh and Casey were hesitant about switching up their crew on such short notice, Josh admitted that his dad "owed him [John] a lot." He later decided to join John on the Time Bandit, which is where viewers will find him as the season progresses.
What percentage of the Cornelia Marie does Josh own? ›(Jake and Josh) only own 25 percent of the boat, Cornelia (Marie Devlin) owns 75 percent. The Coast Guard has a zero-tolerance policy. Having drugs on the boat is against the law. I have a captain's license.
Who owns the crab boat Wizard? ›John Jorgensen sold the vessel to Keith Colburn in July of 2005. John maintains a close relationship with Keith who harvests his IFQ allocation, as well as that of a number of other IFQ crab holders, all by lease agreements.
How much is Jake on the saga worth? ›According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jake is currently sitting pretty at an estimated $1.8 million. Jake has held almost every position on the boats, which means his salary has fluctuated in the near 17 years since he's been a crab fisherman. As of the time of this writing, he's the captain of the F/V Saga.
How much is Keith from the Wizard worth? ›Keith Colburn net worth: Keith Colburn is an American fisherman and reality television star who has a net worth of $1.5 million.
Where is Wild Bill from Deadliest Catch live? ›Bill is originally from Irwin, PA, east of Pittsburgh. In the off-season, he makes his home in San Carlos, Mexico. Bill enjoys travel, horseback riding, NASCAR, and sports fishing. He supports nonprofit projects including Wounded Warriors and breast cancer charities.
Why did the hillstrands sell the Time Bandit? ›It was built in 1991 and since then it was contained by Hillstrand brothers. Apparently, the captain brothers decided to put the ship on sale as Neal and his wife were getting a divorce in October 2018, and this entitled his wife for a share of the boat if it was sold.
How old is the Time Bandit boat? ›The vessel TIME BANDIT (IMO: 8852356, MMSI 367594480) is a Fishing Vessel built in 1991 (32 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of United States (USA).