The Survivor neighborhood has mourned the lack of 17 alumni through the years.
The CBS collection, which premiered in Might 2000, has seen 751 contributors all through its 49 seasons, and it has cultivated a close-knit neighborhood amongst viewers and contestants — which makes each loss hit nearer to house.
Seventeen former gamers have died since competing on the present, with tributes pouring in from their followers, family members and fellow alumni. Forward, look again at their lives and time on the fact competitors present.
Jane Brilliant
Survivor: Nicaragua contestant Jane Brilliant, who positioned sixth within the twenty first season and received the Spirit Fan Favourite viewers prize, died at age 71 in her North Carolina house. Her daughter, Ashley Hammett, introduced her mom’s demise in a Fb put up on Might 15, 2025.
“What stood out to me about Jane is that she did not let age be a barrier to journey,” wrote host Jeff Probst in his tribute on the present’s official Instagram. “She dove headfirst into Survivor with grit and coronary heart. Jane embodied the spirit of Survivor and leaves a legacy that I hope will proceed to encourage others to use for the journey of a lifetime.”
Kim Johnson
Survivor: Africa runner-up Kim Johnson died at age 79, her daughter Kerry Johnson Tichi shared in a press release to ipromiseyoumedia on July 29, 2024.
“Our mother leaves a legacy of power, resilience, kindness and generosity. She wore her rose colorized glasses proper up till the top,” Johnson Tichi mentioned. “She was the best mother and grandmother on the planet. We’ll miss her perpetually…”
Her castmate, winner Ethan Zohn, wrote in an emotional Instagram put up: “It was a blessing to name you my pal and a privilege to expertise the ultimate tribal council with you.”
Probst known as Johnson a “pioneer” in his tribute to her.
He added, “I bear in mind even then at simply 56, how inspiring she was to different ‘older’ individuals as a result of she confirmed that age was merely a quantity and that if you happen to have been keen to threat failing you would possibly simply amaze your self.”
Sonja Christopher
Sonja Christopher, the very first particular person voted off in Survivor historical past, died at 87. The official Survivor Instagram confirmed her demise on April 27, 2024, sharing candy phrases about Christopher from Probst.
“Sonja was one of many kindest individuals to ever play Survivor. Each interplay I had along with her through the years was pretty,” the host wrote. “She would all the time greet you with a smile on her face and pleasure in her coronary heart.”
Keith Nale
Keith Nale, who appeared on Survivor: San Juan del Sur and Survivor: Cambodia — putting fourth and fifth, respectively — died at age 62 on April 19, 2023. His son Wes, who competed with him in San Juan del Sur, mentioned Nale had “been battling most cancers for the previous few months and we came upon about it in January.”
“Keith was a one-of-a-kind human,” the official Survivor wrote of their tribute to the two-time participant. “Fully distinctive in each method. He introduced infinite pleasure and laughter to Survivor followers and to these of us who made the present with him. He was adored by so many and can be vastly missed.
Roger Sexton
Roger Sexton, who positioned tenth on Survivor: The Amazon, died on the house of his daughter and son-in-law in Walla Walla, Wash., on Oct. 26, 2022, after a battle with Lewy Physique Dementia. He was 76.
“Confidence, self-discipline, and dedication to succeed have been all important parts to Roger’s character, which assisted him in being solid on Survivor,” his household wrote in his on-line obituary.
Dan Lembo
Survivor: Nicaragua contestant Dan Lembo, who completed fifth in his season, died at age 75 in his Manhattan house on Sept. 3, 2022.
“Daniel was a charismatic, larger-than-life, outgoing bon vivant. He cherished nothing greater than spending time together with his kids and mates — new and previous,” learn his obituary. His sons, Michael and Matt, additionally penned loving messages in reminiscence of their dad.
Clay Jordan
Survivor: Thailand runner-up Clay Jordan, who was one vote away from profitable his season, died at age 66 on Might 19, 2022, following a quick sickness.
“He had a coronary heart of gold and a humorousness that might put a smile on anybody’s face,” learn a web based obituary to the alum. “What he cherished greater than something was his household and he completely cherished to assist individuals and be of service. He was runner up on Survivor Thailand in 2002 and met many individuals by his journey of being ‘Clay from Survivor’. He traveled many locations and loved life to the fullest.”
Ralph Kiser
Survivor: Redemption Island contestant Ralph Kiser — who completed eighth place — died at age 56 on April 20, 2022, after affected by a coronary heart assault.
“His big smile, his optimistic angle and naturally his infectious rooster crow made him one of the crucial likable to ever play Survivor,” wrote Probst within the present’s tribute to Kiser.
Sunday Burquest
Sunday Burquest, who completed seventh place in Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, died on April 17, 2021, after battling esophageal and ovarian most cancers. She was 50.
Adam Klein, the winner of Burquest’s season, recalled his reference to the late pastor and her “infinite love for her kids.”
“A pair nights in the past, I despatched her a message to test in and ship love, and her daughter responded, telling me that ‘she goes to say hello to your mother for you,’ ” mentioned Klein, whose mother died of most cancers in 2016. “Sunday was all the time pondering of others. An angel now, and an angel all the time.”
“Sunday Burquest had one of many brightest smiles of any particular person to ever play Survivor,” wrote Probst in his tribute on Instagram. “She radiated kindness and understanding to anybody fortunate sufficient to be in her presence. She appeared to know higher than most, that life is for dwelling, so say sure to life at any time when attainable.”
Angie Jakusz
Survivor: Palau contestant Angie Jakusz, who ended her run at thirteenth place, died after a prolonged battle with most cancers on Jan. 8, 2021. She was 40.
“She wasn’t into the celebrity, simply the expertise of Survivor. She got here, she performed, and he or she went again to her life in New Orleans. She preferred her life that method,” her former castmate Coby Archa informed ipromiseyoumedia.
Cliff Robinson
Former NBA All-Star and Survivor: Cagayan contestant Cliff Robinson, who completed in 14th place, died at age 53 from lymphoma on Aug. 29, 2020.
“To have Cliff Robinson, an NBA All-Star, play Survivor was a private spotlight for me,” Probst wrote on Instagram. “And he was one of many classiest individuals to ever play the sport. He handled the opposite solid members and the complete crew with grace and respect.
Rudy Boesch
Survivor legend and fan favourite Rudy Boesch, who completed third at age 72 on the present’s first season, died after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s illness on Nov. 1, 2019. He was 91.
“Ours was an fascinating bond, Expensive Rudy! You and I helped open minds and undermine predjudces [sic]. Whereas your time right here has handed, you’ll stay cherished and iconic, expensive pal!” Boesch’s closest Survivor ally Richard Hatch tweeted.
“Rudy passionately cherished two issues: his spouse and the army,” Survivor: Australia winner and Boesch’s All Stars tribemate Tina Wesson informed ipromiseyoumedia. “It was simply that straightforward. He has all the time had the respect of each younger whippersnapper who got here out to play Survivor. As a result of none of us might do what he did at his age!”
Ashley Massaro
WWE wrestler and Survivor: China Fifteenth-placer Ashley Massaro died at age 39 on Might 16, 2019, at her house in Suffolk County, New York.
“She was such a fighter on Survivor: China,” recalled her fellow Survivor: China contestant Peih-Gee Regulation. “Although she acquired sick early on within the recreation, she nonetheless competed with all her coronary heart within the challenges. She introduced a very enjoyable power to camp life.”
Dan Kay
Survivor: Gabon‘s Dan Kay, who exited the sport in eleventh place, died unexpectedly on Dec. 31, 2016. He was 40.
“He was identified for his arduous work, dedication, consideration to element and powerful work ethic,” learn an obituary to the late legal professional. “Dan had a smile that would gentle up a room. His need to be challenged and his quest for journey result in his participation on the fact present, Survivor.”
Caleb Bankston
Six months after the finale of his season Survivor: Blood vs. Water, Caleb Bankston tragically died in a railway accident on June 24, 2014. The alum, who completed in ninth place, was 26.
“Caleb was my every part,” his fiancé Colton Cumbie, with whom he competed alongside on Blood vs. Water, informed The Crimson White. “We have been the couple that my household would get so mad [at] once we performed dominoes as a result of we cheated.”
Probst informed ipromiseyoumedia on the time: “[Caleb] was one of the crucial humble and likable contestants we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with on the present. A real gentleman. He can be missed by so many.”
B.B. Andersen
The second castaway ever voted out within the first season, B.B. Andersen, died at age 77 on Oct. 29, 2013, after a battle with mind most cancers.
Probst mentioned in a press release to ipromiseyoumedia: “He was a robust presence on the present and that zest for epic journey was on the coronary heart of every part he did.”
Added fellow castmate Joel Klug: “He was the person. He loved life. He knew good scotch from dangerous scotch. He was a mover and shaker kind of man. And he was robust: We have been on the equator and it was like 100 levels. He labored arduous to construct a shelter. He was a formidable man, and an affect on me.”
Jennifer Lyon
Survivor: Palau fourth-placer Jennifer Lyon died on Jan. 19, 2010, at her house in Oregon following a battle with breast most cancers that started shortly after she wrapped her season. In the course of the reunion for Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, a tribute performed in reminiscence of Lyon.
“If I discovered something from Jenn it’s this: Do not be afraid to ask somebody how they’re actually feeling about dying,” Probst mentioned. “Do not draw back from the scary elements of demise. They want somebody to speak to about what’s going on inside their head.”
