‘Deadliest Catch’ Icon Keith Colburn Hit by Another Stroke on the Wizard — Is This the Emergency That Ends His Career?

The world of commercial fishing is known for its high stakes, but a recent medical emergency brought a different kind of peril to the deck of the F/V Wizard. Captain Keith Colburn, a long-time icon of the Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch,” suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — commonly known as a “mini-stroke” — at sea during filming for the show’s 20th season, which aired in late 2024.

The terrifying incident, which saw Colburn collapse in the wheelhouse and experience numbness on his left side, required a dramatic medical evacuation (medevac) to an Anchorage hospital. Doctors diagnosed the TIA and issued a stern warning: Colburn needed to minimize stress or risk a more severe, potentially fatal, stroke. The diagnosis and medical advice left fans and fellow captains questioning if this was the emergency that would finally force the veteran captain into retirement.

Despite the health scare and doctors’ warnings to stay on land and near a hospital, Captain Colburn is back in the wheelhouse of the Wizard for the current Season 21 (2025). The return, which came just eight months after the TIA event, has been a central storyline, highlighting his determination to leave the industry on his “own terms” rather than by medical necessity.

“I have to minimize my stress this year,” Colburn explained on the show, acknowledging the challenge of maintaining calm in one of the world’s most high-pressure jobs. He is determined to continue facing the Bering Sea’s notorious storms and the intense rivalries that come with the job.

While Colburn’s return is a testament to his resilience, the underlying health risks remain a major concern. A TIA is a significant warning sign that a full-blown stroke might be imminent. Throughout the current season, his health and the need to manage his stress levels are a consistent backdrop to the crabbing challenges, including a recent fall where he injured his back/kidney area.

For now, the captain continues to chase the crab, but the question of when his career will end — and under what circumstances — looms large over the Wizard‘s wheelhouse. Fans remain supportive but watchful as their favorite captain navigates the dangerous waters with his life on the line.