John Godwin – Cast Bio

Godwin, along with Justin Martin (Martin), is one of only two regular cast members of Duck Dynasty who is not part of the Robertson family. His official title at Duck Commander is Shipping Manager, but he also builds duck calls and manages supplies. He has worked at Duck Commander since 2002.

John Godwin, or as his fellow employees call him, Godwin, was born on September 6, 1962 in Louisiana.  Godwin met Phil Robertson when Godwin was just a boy. His daddy took him to a duck calling contest. Godwin thought he was just there to watch, but his daddy told him that he had entered him into the contest. He told his daddy that he couldn’t do that, but his daddy persuaded him to go around back and practice calling.

When Godwin came back from his practice, his daddy asked him if he was going to use the Duck Commander call that he was given for his birthday that year. Godwin told his dad, “Heck no, that thing sounds like crap.” In front of him, a bearded man turned around and said “My name is Phil Robertson, I make those things”. Apparently Phil wasn’t too offended by Godwin’s comment, because he helped tune the duck call, and Godwin ended up placing third in the contest.

While in college at Louisiana Tech, Godwin began dating a girl, but soon turned his attention to that girl’s roommate, Paula Archer. They fell in love and married in 1989. John and Paula have one daughter, Johanna or Joey, who is currently attending Louisiana Tech.

Godwin tells of how he started running with the wrong crowd and started drinking a little too much. Paula tried to convince John that he needed to start going to church again. He wanted nothing of it, but eventually caved when he realized he could get his wife off his back and get a bonus if he attended the church where Phil Robertson was an elder. He figured he would befriend Phil and would soon have a new duck call.

Prior to his job at Duck Commander , Godwin worked a printing press for 21 years at the International Paper Mill. When times got tough, he decided to use his connection with Phil to get a part-time job at Duck Commander. He worked part-time for two years and convinced Phil and the others that he had a good work ethic and knew about duck calls and blinds. They offered him a job and he quit the paper mill to work full-time at Duck Commander.

During hunting season, Godwin is the unofficial equipment manager and decoy technician. He strategically places the decoys, and cleans and repairs the equipment after a hunt.

Since the Duck Dynasty show began, Godwin says he has been keeping busy building duck calls and spends most of his free time running around promoting the show and products, or sharing his Christian testimony.

About his working at Duck Commander and with the Robertsons, Godwin says, “Working for Duck Commander has been a blessing. I am one of few full-time employees outside the family. I will definitely say that the Robertsons are very giving and passionate people, and I have become family through Christ.”

Facts

• Born September 6, 1962
• Family: Wife Paula, daughter Johanna (Joey).
• Nickname: The Walrus
• Devout Christian who attends the White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ, where Phil and Alan Robertson are church elders
• Likes “ham sammiches” and just about any other kind of food
• Afraid of lizards
• Worked for 21 years at Riverwood International Paper Mill

Quotes

• “My hands smell like taco meat.”
• “I like me some chili dawgs.'”
• “Chili dogs baby!”
• “This is funner than chuckin rocks at a sign.”
• “I wished I had some wienies or marshmallows or somethin.”
• “Give me my sammich.”
• “Si, you just ate poop.”
• “Phil quoted a Bible verse and the whole world got worked up.”
• “What do we want? Ham sammich!”
• “Chaw!” –  Godwin’s sound for a whip
• “I’m hunting for a living and fishing for a hobby.”

Funniest scenes:

Duck Dynasty: Best of Godwin | Top Moments | Duck Dynasty

Duck Dynasty: Before the Dynasty: Godwin’s Beard (Season 6, Episode 6)|Duck Dynasty

Godwin and his wife Paula: