Matt Bradley Wiki Bio, Age, Wife, Life After Deadliest Catch, and Why He Left the Northwestern

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Is Matt Bradley from Deadliest Catch still alive?” or “Why did Matt leave the Northwestern?”, you’re not alone. Fans have long been drawn to Bradley—not just for his time on deck, but for the deeply personal battles he’s faced off-camera.

Matt Bradley made his mark as a deckhand aboard the F/V Northwestern, becoming a steady presence through many of the show’s most intense seasons. But while he was hauling crab pots in the Bering Sea, he was also navigating the rough waters of addiction and recovery. What set him apart wasn’t just his work ethic—it was his willingness to be vulnerable. His story, filled with setbacks and second chances, quietly inspired viewers who saw more than a fisherman; they saw a man fighting to reclaim his life.

From reconnecting with the woman he first noticed at a 12-step meeting to becoming a devoted husband, father, and proud grandfather, Matt’s journey has evolved far beyond the camera’s view. He stepped away from the show to rebuild—focusing on healing, on family, and on a life rooted in stability rather than survival.

In this article, we’ll explore the full arc of Matt Bradley’s story—from his early fishing days and dramatic moments on Deadliest Catch to the turning points that reshaped his future.

Early Life and Entry into Commercial Fishing

Born on May 5, 1972, Matt Bradley grew up during a time when hard work was expected early in life. As a teenager in the mid-1980s, he earned $3.35 an hour washing dishes at the Pioneer Pie Sea Galley. His entry into commercial fishing came soon after, during an opilio crab season where he earned $100 per fishing day. At that time, deckhands were only paid when the boat was actively fishing, not for storm delays or offload days. After that first season, he joined a cod fishing trip and earned $800 on his first set—a payout that firmly cemented his path in the industry.

Debut and Rise on Deadliest Catch

Bradley made his first credited appearance on Deadliest Catch during Season 1, with another in Season 2, but it was in Season 3 (2007) that he became a more consistent presence. He worked as a deckhand on the F/V Northwestern under Captain Sig Hansen, brought onto the boat through a close friendship with Edgar Hansen. Bradley became known for his work ethic and for his role in some of the show’s most dramatic and emotional moments. One early episode featured the Northwestern cutting its fishing trip short so Bradley could make a court appearance—a moment that highlighted both his personal struggles and the crew’s loyalty.

By Season 18 in 2022, the show had become a highly produced television series, often blurring the lines between raw reality and production staging. That season featured nine crab boats—nearly a quarter of Alaska’s registered fleet—fishing under the pressures of reduced crab stocks and camera crews. Bradley, along with other veteran cast members, experienced the shift firsthand, as Discovery’s financial support incentivized smaller vessels to remain active. While the show depicted real danger, some scenes also revealed scripted elements, such as staged rain at Dutch Harbor for promotional shots. As noted in a Seattle Times article Bradley shared, the combination of real-life grit and made-for-TV moments defined the evolving tone of Deadliest Catch.

Challenges and Recovery

Off the deck, Bradley faced significant personal challenges, most notably a long and difficult battle with heroin addiction. He never shied away from discussing his past and used his platform to advocate for understanding and compassion toward those facing substance use disorders. In a heartfelt message shared in 2022, he directly addressed the stigma surrounding addiction, explaining that while addiction often begins with a choice, continuing to live with it becomes a daily struggle many would never choose.

Bradley emphasized that addiction is a disease—one that requires constant vigilance and humility to manage. He called out societal judgment and urged people to consider how their worst mistakes might feel if they were permanently defined by them. His words reflected not only his own journey to recovery but a broader call for empathy and support.

He credited the structured, disciplined environment aboard crab boats with helping him maintain sobriety during fishing seasons, describing it as “the most boring place in the world to be loaded.” He entered formal recovery on September 4, 2013, and by 2022 had celebrated nearly nine years clean. Beyond maintaining his sobriety, he dedicated himself to helping others through community outreach and support programs, including mobile laundry services for those experiencing homelessness.

Bradley has occasionally shared reflections on the dangers of his work. In 2021, he posted images from a stormy trip aboard the Summer Bay, describing it as a moment that made him reflect deeply on life and faith. For someone who had lived through both physical and personal storms, it was another reminder of the high stakes of life at sea—and the importance of staying grounded.

Crewmates and Shared Journeys

Bradley spent much of his fishing career working alongside longtime Northwestern deckhand Nick Mavar. Their partnership spanned nearly two decades, forged through years of fishing in some of the Bering Sea’s toughest conditions. When Mavar passed away on June 13, 2023, at the age of 59, Bradley shared a memory that captured both the intensity of the work and the resilience it demanded:

“That man had superhuman strength… the time he took the hook to the face his nose just wasn’t broken—it was shattered. An hour later he was right back on deck. F***ing Manimal!”

Their working relationship extended beyond the railings of the Northwestern. Over the years, the two shared not only the responsibilities of the job but also off-season experiences, including benefit events and personal milestones. Their long-standing collaboration reflected the trust and professionalism required in the high-risk world of commercial crab fishing—where dependable crewmates often become something closer to family.

Later Seasons, Departure, and Return

After Season 17, Bradley left Deadliest Catch to focus on family and help run his wife’s vape shop. By then, he was a grandfather, and his personal life had taken a welcome turn toward stability. In 2022, he celebrated his 50th birthday surrounded by grandchildren, reflecting a new chapter of life. However, he later returned to the show in Season 19, this time joining the crew of the F/V Saga under Captain Jake Anderson. His previous spot on the Northwestern had been filled, and the move represented both a professional shift and a practical decision tied to financial necessity.

On June 2, 2024, Bradley confirmed via social media that he would not appear in Season 20 of Deadliest Catch, which premiered on June 11, 2024. “You can look for me, but you won’t see me on season twenty,” he wrote. The message marked a quiet but clear step away from the spotlight. His post received an outpouring of support from fans who had followed his journey across nearly two decades. While he never formally announced retirement, his decision to step back appeared to mark the end of his television presence and possibly his fishing career.

Matt Bradley’s Personal Life: Marriage, Relapse, and Rebuilding with Angela

Bradley married Angela on April 16, 2010, and in 2025 they marked their 15th anniversary—a milestone shaped by commitment, recovery, and enduring love. Their story began years earlier in the recovery community. Bradley first noticed Angela at a 12-step meeting, where she was chairing with a pitbull puppy. She stood out to him—confident and composed—while he was unshaven, homeless, and uncertain about his future. A friend nudged him and said, “That’s the girl for you.” Bradley remembered thinking, “What would a pretty girl like that want with a guy like me?”

At the time, he was just beginning to get clean, while Angela already had over four years of sobriety. As fate would have it, their paths crossed again during his early recovery. They quickly grew close—by the second date, Bradley had moved in with her. Roughly nine months into his sobriety, he invited an old friend over, someone who had once sat beside him at that early meeting. When his friend saw a picture of Angela on the shelf, he instantly recognized her: “That’s the girl from the meeting! You did get the right girl.”

Their journey, however, wasn’t without trials. Just before Angela reached ten years clean, Bradley relapsed. In a heartbreaking twist, Angela followed him into addiction, hoping she could help him find his way back. Instead, they both became trapped in a devastating cycle—overdoses, legal trouble, and financial collapse. They lost their rings, pawned their belongings, and watched their home become something unrecognizable.

A near-fatal overdose and arrest served as Bradley’s wake-up call. Angela entered treatment, while Bradley began detoxing in jail. After his release and her recovery, they reunited—this time with a renewed commitment to sobriety. They embraced meetings, leaned on sponsors, and fully surrendered to the recovery process. Angela also worked with a life coach to rediscover her identity and purpose.

Through it all, Angela continued to work and support their family. Bradley later called her his best friend, the person who helped rebuild their life. Today, they are surrounded by children and grandchildren, grounded in stability and gratitude. Their marriage, once tested by unimaginable challenges, now stands as a testament to healing and hope.

Family Life and Grandchildren

Bradley is a proud father and grandfather. His daughter, Hannah Bradley, was born in March 1998, and turned 18 in 2018—a milestone Bradley celebrated publicly with deep appreciation for being present during important family moments. Over the years, he has shared his gratitude for time spent with his grandchildren as well, including a 2014 post where he dressed up in a tiger costume to play with them for the first time in three years.

He often mentions how his recovery and step back from the fishing spotlight allowed him to reconnect with family in meaningful ways. Posts from 2021 and beyond show Bradley enjoying gatherings with multiple generations—children, grandchildren, and extended relatives. For someone who once lived on the edge of survival, these quieter moments now represent the life he worked so hard to rebuild.