10 Most Famous Castaways To Play ‘Survivor,’ Ranked
Part of the fantastic thing about Survivor is the flexibility to convey collectively people from all walks of life as they embark on a grueling sport to outwit, outplay, and outlast. When it involves these people from all walks of life, some are common Americans scraping to get by in life. Others, effectively, they might have had a brush with fame. Perhaps they’ve performed an expert sport or are recognized for his or her Hollywood profile. With political podcaster Jon Lovett becoming a member of the forged of Survivor 47, he’s added to the roster of high-profile names which have performed the sport. From star athletes to teen stars, Hollywood writers to avid gamers, these are the most effective celeb castaways to play Survivor.
Survivor has been entertaining followers since 2000. With over twenty years underneath its belt, Survivor is considered one of many best actuality reveals ever. No two seasons are ever the identical, and it is because of the people who play it. When it involves high-profile gamers, generally different gamers simply determine the star on their tribe. Other instances, they will conceal in plain sight. No matter what, these are a few of the finest to hit the seashores on Survivor.
10 Scot Pollard
‘Survivor: Kaôh Rōng’
When Scot Pollard arrived on Survivor: Kaôh Rōng, he got here in as an NBA star. As an NBA champion with an 11-season taking part in profession, Pollard was an imposing menace. And his aggressive nature was out entrance. The season noticed the tribes divided underneath the theme Brains vs Brawn vs Beauty, the place Pollard was positioned within the Brawn tribe.
Early on, he made a powerful alliance with Kyle Jason, the place they each have been capable of have a stronghold within the sport. But following the merge, the pair misplaced management and his sport was now within the fingers of fan-favorite Tai Trang. When Trang reneged on a deal to type the notorious Super Idol, the one means Pollard would have been saved from Tribal Council, it was his official undoing. Pollard’s animosity and energy wrestle positioned an agitator moniker on him, however touchdown in eighth place isn’t any small feat.
9 Jeff Kent
‘Survivor: Philippines’
Survivor: Philippines, considered a top-tier season of the present, watched as every of the three tribes was led by a former castaway who was medically evacuated from the sport. In addition to the Survivor stars, the forged did characteristic some celebrities within the combine. One of these was MLB All-Star Jeff Kent. Kent was snuffed out early on by tribemate Sarah Dawson, a baseball fan. Meanwhile, Jonathan Penner, a three-time Survivor star, was focused by Kent for his personal celeb standing. Kent didn’t desire a Survivor veteran to win the sport.
The retired former MVP used his management to maintain management of the pre-merge portion of the sport. He aligned with Penner principally to make sure he saved tabs on the Hidden Immunity Idol. When the tribes merged, Kent was wanting to flip on Penner and knock him out of the sport. Unfortunately, Penner gained a vital Immunity Challenge that left Kent susceptible and voted out of the sport. Kent’s capacity to make use of his standing and expertise in a crew sport was each his finest and worst trait.
8 Ron Clark
‘Survivor: Edge of Extinction’
For some, Ron Clark might not be a family identify, however it’s doubtless they knew about his unimaginable story. Known for being a unprecedented trainer and motivational speaker, Ron Clark was a best-selling creator who appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, in addition to had a made-for-TV film impressed by him starring Matthew Perry. Following the founding of the Ron Clark Academy, Clark got here to Survivor: Edge of Extinction able to inspire folks with a powerful sport.
Survivor: Edge of Extinction was a season that discovered 4 returning gamers coming again and taking part in. Those gamers have been instantly focused. And Clark was considered one of them who led the cost. Clark was a part of a dominating tribe that allowed eight of the unique 9 tribe members to make the merge. Ron’s brush with energy finally bought the most effective of him as his flip-flop technique grew to become his final downfall.
7 Noelle Lambert
‘Survivor 43’
In 2020, Noelle Lambert was one of many American athletes that competed within the Tokyo Summer Paralympic Games. Shortly after, she appeared on Survivor 43. As one of many New Era gamers, Lambert’s presence was crammed with hope and optimism. Lambert misplaced her leg following a moped accident, however it by no means let her cease her from surviving. As she talked about on the present, she by no means let her outline her. At the beginning of the season, Lambert was in a tricky spot when her ally was blindsided on the first Tribal Council. Yet Lambert perceived and clawed herself again into the sport.
That is till one other ally, Dwight Moore, was blindsided on the merge. Lambert was capable of preserve her sport as a powerful participant who made efficient alliances. But when her menace stage grew too massive, she was blindsided, being voted out in eighth place. She was a motivating determine within the season. Even when she was caught in a internet throughout a problem, she did not let it cease her from persevering. As destiny would have it, Lambert returned to the Paralympics, competing within the 2024 video games in Paris alongside fellow castaway Ryan Medrano.
6 Brad Culpepper
‘Survivor: Blood vs Water, Survivor: Game Changers’
Perhaps finest recognized for being screamed at by Marissa Peterson with the quote, “F- you, Brad Culpepper,” Culpepper arrived at Survivor as a former NFL defensive sort out, in addition to the husband of Survivor: One World castaway Monica Culpepper. The Culpeppers have been a part of the Survivor: Blood vs Water season the place a earlier Survivor competed towards a liked one.
For Brad Culpepper, he aligned with the boys from the family members tribe, and was seen as a goal. And to some, a villain. He ended up being the fifth particular person to depart the sport. But his presence was desired as he was invited again to play within the all-returning participant season, Survivor: Game Changers. With a brand new outlook and technique, Culpepper turned his sport utterly round, reaching Final Tribal Council. Sadly, his incapability to type bonds with people outdoors his alliance left him brief when it got here to jury votes.
5 Taj Johnson-George
‘Survivor: Tocantins’
Before she appeared on Survivor: Tocantins, Taj Johnson-George was finest recognized for being a member of the ’90s R&B group SWV and being the spouse of former NFL star Eddie George. Despite having a lack of awareness of out of doors or tenting abilities, Taj Johnson-George emerged as a powerful social and strategic participant.
During her time on Survivor: Tocantins, Johnson-George’s good capacity to forge a cross-tribal alliance helped get her to the tip. She primarily shaped a trio with allies, Stephen Fishbach and J.T. Thomas. But when push got here to shove, with the data of the ultimate two, Fishbach was spooked that he wouldn’t be delivered to the tip by Johnson-George, and turned on her simply shy of Final Tribal Council. Though she by no means performed Survivor once more, followers have been wanting to see her on their screens once more.
4 Danny McCray
‘Survivor 41’
Danny McCray was an extremely sturdy bodily menace throughout his time on Survivor 41. Best recognized for being part of an All-Black alliance, McCray’s menace stage within the sport could have been higher suited in earlier seasons, however Survivor 41 was the official begin of the New Era of Survivor. McCray, a former NFL participant, began by trying to put low. It labored to his benefit as his tribe continued on a profitable streak.
Despite having a powerful bond in his alliance, when he flipped on Shan Smith in her blindside, the newfound majority alliance used that to their benefit, knocking him out on the ultimate six. Thankfully, his time on actuality tv did not finish on Survivor 41. McCray competed on The Challenge: USA, the place he gained the season alongside fellow Survivor, Sarah Lacina. He then moved on to compete in The Challenge: World Championship, ending in 2nd place.
3 Lisa Whelchel
‘Survivor: Philippines’
Whether you watched it in real-time or grew up with it sooner or later throughout Nick at Nite, the theme music for The Facts of Life is considered one of tv’s most iconic anthems. Thanks to that present, Lisa Whelchel grew to become a teen star for her position as Blair Warner. With different credit to her identify, her presence re-emerged when she grew to become a contestant on Survivor: Philippines. She was instantly snuffed out by tribemate Michael Skupin, who unintentionally nearly known as her Blair.
They ended up forming a bond that might final them to the tip of the sport. Though, sadly, they’d each fall in need of changing into Sole Survivor. Whelchel had a battle of morals, typically taking part in hesitant. While she was capable of maintain her star energy underneath wraps for a lot of, it did not have an effect on how she performed the sport. Despite not all the time being the mastermind, Whelchel remained within the majority when it was needed.
2 Mike White
‘Survivor: David vs Goliath’
Reality tv present followers acknowledged Mike White from his two instances competing on The Amazing Race. Cinephiles acknowledged him as Ned Schneebly fromSchool of Rock, the movie he additionally simply so occurred to write down. White was forged on Survivor: David vs Goliath, the place the forged was break up based mostly on their lives and careers. White was put within the Goliath tribe, which he was a bit perplexed by. His storied Hollywood profession was the only motive he was on that tribe, however he quickly felt just like the David of the tribe.
White had an distinctive social sport. It was so sturdy that he nonetheless maintained a small presence, masterminding whereas showing non-threatening. Despite having a powerful resume and a worthy motive to win, White ended up being the runner-up to Nick Wilson. Following his time on Survivor, White went on to develop into one of many greatest tv writer-directors because of the Emmy-Award-winning collection The White Lotus. Survivor followers have been thrilled after they noticed White invite a few of his fellow castaways to seem in cameo roles on his collection.
1 Jonathan Penner
‘Survivor: Cook Islands’, ‘Survivor: Micronesia’, ‘Survivor: Philippines’
Jonathan Penner had an appearing resume that, whereas his identify could not have been too well-known, his face certain was. Penner portrayed the position of Danny Imperiali, the boyfriend of Fran Fine who dumped her within the pilot of The Nanny. Despite his appearing credit, Jonathan Penner had a brand new lease on life with a second act on tv: Survivor legend. As a charismatic particular person, Penner jumped off the display the primary time he performed on Survivor: Cook Islands. He had a powerful run, however it wasn’t sufficient to get him to the tip. He returned to play for the Favorites tribe throughout Survivor: Micronesia.
Despite being affable, his time was reduce brief as he was medically evacuated as a result of a leg damage. He was invited to play once more on Survivor: Philippines as one of many unofficial crew captains of castaways who have been medically evacuated after they performed. He performed a really sturdy, having a terrific pulse on the sport. While he was focused for being a veteran, his earlier Survivor expertise saved him alive. There could have been a universe the place Penner might have gained the sport had he agreed to a ultimate 4 alliance with Lisa Whelchel and Michael Skupin, however his refusal made him a goal. Penner is a beloved Survivor participant, and rightly so.
