Nicholas 'Duffy' Fudge Dies Unexpectedly; 'Wicked Tuna' Star Was 28

Nicholas "Duffy" Fudge, a member of National Geographic's "Wicked Tuna" cast, died Thursday at age 28, according to a Sunday message on the show’s Twitter account.

.@NatGeoChannel and @Pilgrim_Studios were saddened to learn that Wicked Tuna cast member Nicholas “Duffy” Fudge passed away this week. Duffy was the first mate on Captain Tyler McLaughlin’s fishing vessel, Pinwheel. We join his family and friends in mourning his untimely loss. pic.twitter.com/Cw8Q8JKQHn

— Wicked Tuna (@WickedTuna) July 23, 2018

An obituary posted on the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home website called the death unexpected but did not give a cause of death, CNN reported. No cause of death was reported elsewhere, either. 

Fudge was a cast member of both “Wicked Tuna” and its spinoff, “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.”

His obituary said he learned to fish at a young age from his father and grandfather. It also said he cared about the environment passionately and “took seriously his responsibility to protect it.”

A calling hour scheduled for Wednesday asked visitors to dress “Duffy style,” with a celebration of life to be held at a later date. 

Twitter commented on Fudge's young age and his charming personality, offering condolences and prayers. 

Omg no!!!!! I’m so sorry for your loss 😩😩

— Shayla (@srfranks101) July 23, 2018

So sad for Duffy's family and the wicked tuna family R.I.P MY FRIEND SUCH A AWESOME FISHERMEN !! sending prayers 🙏😢👌👌

— Marguerite Piercy (@MandM_Piercy) July 23, 2018

Very sad to hear of Duffy’s passing. He was a great fisher, and brought passion to his work.

— Mathews Brothers (@Mathews1854) July 23, 2018

This is so tragic to hear that it just doesn’t seem real! He will be missed no doubt!!  “stick’em”  was a word I loved hearing him say! Prayers for his family and Tyler! RIP Duffy 💜😪

— TMac (@tbmc777) July 23, 2018

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