The world of Swamp People has lost one of its original legends. Junior Edwards passed away on July 26, 2025, according to his family.
His grandson, “Lil” Willie Edwards, made the announcement on Facebook and fans around the globe are grieving over this loss.
While details remain quite sparse, here’s what we know about his life, health struggles, career on the show, and even how much he might’ve earned.
Who Was Junior Edwards?
Junior Edwards hailed from Bayou Sorrel, Louisiana. He was part of the very first cast of Swamp People when it premiered in 2010, portraying the hard-working alligator‑hunting Edwards family alongside his son Willie and grandson “Lil” Willie.
He brought old‑school grit to the swamp, breaking away from modern gear and relying on traditional netting and boating skills. He wasn’t flashy, but he was real—and fans loved that about him.
Junior left the regular cast after Season 6 in 2015, and at the time he had to shut down rumors that it was about money. He said they never asked for more pay—the show simply decided not to feature him any longer.
He then stepped away from hunting gators and focused on hoop‑net fishing with his wife Theresa, hauling in tons of fish day after day, up at 4 am to bring in a catch.
Then in 2021, he surprised everyone by making a comeback in Season 12. His return brought a multigenerational spirit back to the screen as he helped mentor his son and grandson during the ongoing gator invasion in the Atchafalaya Basin.
Junior Edwards Cause of Death: What We Know
The exact cause of Junior’s death isn’t publicly confirmed, but multiple sources indicate he had been battling serious health issues earlier in July.
Fans and family sent out prayers saying they needed a miracle. One local report states he passed from cardiac arrest, and others mention he was around 66 years old at the time.
Nobody in the family has shared an official medical report, so we don’t know for sure if it was heart disease, or complications from something else.
All we know is that he was ill, noticed the warning signs, and sadly heart failure took him on July 26, 2025.
Career Highlights and Legacy
Junior had a rough‑and‑tumble presence on Swamp People that resonated with fans. From Season 1 to Season 6, he was a steady figure, working the swamp alongside his son Willie.
He earned a rep for hauling in massive gators, often going toe‑to‑toe with monsters that weighed as much as 900 pounds.
One memorable catch involved the legendary “Big Bertha,” a gator so big it weighed nearly a ton—those kinds of moments cemented his reputation.
After a hiatus, his 2021 comeback felt like a homecoming. He said “Surprise… look who’s back” in a playful Facebook post.
His return reminded viewers of real swamp life—hoop nets, early mornings, family bonds, and no‑nonsense grit.
Co‑stars like Ashley “Deadeye” Jones called him “one of the greatest alligator hunters there is,” calling him “a legend” and praising his hardcore outdoorsmanship.
He appeared in over 100 episodes during his tenure, and even after he left, his legacy kept fans tuning in.
Earnings & Income: How Much Did He Make?
Reality TV doesn’t pay nearly as much as regular film or scripted TV—and Swamp People is no exception.
Cast members don’t disclose exact salaries, but reports suggest that during the early seasons, Swamp People cast earned somewhere between $1,000 to $3,000 per episode, depending on their role and seniority.
Given that Junior appeared in roughly 100 episodes over the years, a rough estimate puts his earnings from the show at anywhere between $100,000 and $300,000 total, potentially more if he returned for special guest appearances.
That said, the real money for him came from his actual swamp work: hoop‑net fishing, harvesting crawfish and fish to sell fresh, and gator hides during hunting season.
He and Theresa reportedly hauled thousands of pounds of fish in just the early hours of each day—enough to support their family without needing the show for pay.
He said at one point: they’ve made their living off the bayou all their lives—they didn’t need a camera stuck in their faces to do it.
Bottom line: his TV earnings were nice, sure—but his everyday grub‑and‑get‑your-hands‑dirty swamp lifestyle was the real breadwinner.
Remembering Junior: Fan & Cast Response
The outpouring of love was immediate. “Lil” Willie’s post read, “Rest easy pawpaw… I know you’re probably running your hoop nets or doing something crazy inside those pearly gates… you will be extremely missed.” Ashley Jones wrote on Instagram: “The world lost a legend … he was real hardcore outdoorsman!”
Fans chimed in, calling him a “good, hard‑working man” with a heart of gold. One viewer said they “almost felt like” they knew him through the show. Others recalled crying over an episode when Junior and his family cared for and released a rescued otter back into the bayou—showing there was more to him than alligator hunting.
Junior Edwards wasn’t flashy or staged. He was a genuine swamp man—early mornings, hard work, family first. He was a teacher to his son and grandson, carrying on a tradition born in Louisiana that goes back generations.
His death at 66 is a reminder that even the toughest folks aren’t invincible, and that health struggles can come creeping even for hardy outdoorsmen.
0 Comments