Where is 'Survivor' Season 1 cast? From lawsuit drama to deaths, here's what happened to contestants
Survival is the ultimate goal of life! One of CBS' longest-running shows in history 'Survivor' has seen casts go from being show contestants to becoming world-famous names. The survival skill proved to be of great help for the cast members in real life as well.
The first season of the show aired in 2000. Over 6,000 people applied for the reality show but 800 were interviewed and only 16 were picked for the show. Bagging rave reviews, the show has now been running for 43 successful seasons. Hosted by Jeff Probst, 'Survivor' places a group of people in an isolated location. The basic survival amenities like food, fire, and shelter needs to pick up by the cast member themselves with the help of their physical ability. However, mental ability is also required the most in the show when it comes to endurance and immunity challenges. After 43 headline-grabbing seasons, 'Survivor' is returning for a new Season 44. Divided into two groups, Tagi and Pagong, a few cast members of 'Survivor' Season 1 didn't manage to survive in real life. Keep reading to explore what happened to the cast members of 'Survivor' Season 1.
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Where are the cast members of 'Survivor' Season 1?
Sonja Christopher
Sonja Christopher, now 85, came to the show to challenge herself whether she could survive using only her hands and wits. Sonja in no time got famous because of her ukulele. Being a survivor of breast cancer, Sonja knew nothing but to thrive. She honed her camping skills in the show. Sonja was the third oldest member of the group. But she had energy like a teenager. Keeping beside the age factor, Sonja was good at sports. Despite having a go-getter attitude, Sonja was the first one who got out of the show.
Sonja was a music therpaist. Her Instagram profile says, "Still surviving.... and thriving!" She currently lives in Walnut Creek, California. She lives close to her son Dan. She is also on the Board of Directors at Unitarian Universalist Church and was instrumental as a fundraiser at Regional Center for the Arts. She is not very active on social media and has only 717 followers on Instagram.
BB Andersen
BB Andersen is now dead. Andersen was part of the show when he was 64 years old. He became the second person to get eliminated. Andersen had very little interest when he was kept in the Pagong tribe with young members. After wrapping up the show, Andersen lived for 13 years. He died at the age of 77 from brain cancer. He loved spending time with his wife, daughter, and four other children. Andersen was a certified scuba diver and sports enthusiast.
Stacey Stillman
San Francisco native Stacey Stillman, now 49, was just 27 years old when she entered the show. After being voted out on Day 9, Stacey came in limelight for suing the producers. She claimed that her exit from the show was rigged as the producer Mark Burnett convinced the contestants to vote her out. The List reported Stacey filed a lawsuit against CBS and the producer claiming, "Burnett rigged the vote so the show would appeal to an older demographic." She was seeking money for "damages for alleged fraud, breach of contract, unlawful business practice, restitution for lost prize money, and $750,000 for punitive damages." However, her lawsuit was called "frivolous and groundless" by the streaming platform. Instead, a $5 million counter lawsuit was filed against her.
As of now, Stacey lives in San Francisco. She practices corporate law at a law firm representing technology companies.
Ramona Gray
Ramona Gray, now 52, went back to work after the show. She is co-parenting her 21-year-old son. She started running after having the son and checked off the marathon from her bucket list. She even competed in a few triathlons. In 2016, the 'Survivor' star left New Jersey. According to EW, "a girlfriend from college and Ramona decided to start 50 x 50 — visit all 50 states by the time we turn 50." She along with other Black/PCOS 'Survivor' alums is working to spread awareness of how the show is important for their representation.
Dirk Been
Dirk Been, now 46, is a Spring Green, Wisconsin native. He was the 5th one to get voted out of the show. He got married in 2004 and has two daughters, named Asia and Ziah. Dirk was just 23 years old when he entered the show. His team thought that his preacher-style pep talk was annoying. Indeed, his inspirational stories became the reason for his elimination.
Joel Klug
Joel Klug, now 49, works for a digital TV network MOTO TV and production company Garage Films. He got married in 2018 and has a son. For the past couple of years, he has been designing and rebuilding properties in Wisconsin. This kept him occupied during quarantine. Joel loves sports. He is into power sports, marine, skiing, surfing, and many other activities.
Gretchen Cordy
Gretchen Cordy, now 60, was the seventh person to get voted out from the show. Since the show, she has been on a morning radio show in her hometown, Clarksville, Tennessee. She got offered the job just after the show. During Covid, Gretchen started making masks and selling them to give money to the food banks.
Greg Buis
Greg Buis, now 46, is a Gold Hill, Colorado native. He was on the second jury and the eighth person to get voted out of the show. He was known for his short temper but at the same time had a lively personality. Ever since the first season of the show, Greg was offered another chance on the platform. However, the star denied to be featured once again due to professional obligations.
Jenna Lewis
Jenna Lewis, now 44, is a Franklin, New Hampshire native. She was the second jury member of the show and was voted out in eighth place. Jenna once again returned to the show in 'Survivor: All-Stars' and managed to come in third place. As of now, Jenna is a mother and lives in California. Looking into her professional life, Jenna works as a realtor.
Gervase Peterson
Gervase Peterson, now 52, is a Willingboro, New Jersey native. He was on the 3rd jury of the show and voted out as the tenth person. Ever since 'Survivor', Gervase managed to bag many roles in the movies. He was featured in 2005 'The Scorned' along with a few other 'Survivor' alumni. According to his LinkedIn page, he is the custom clothier at Morroni Fino Toccare.
Colleen Haskell
Colleen Haskell, now 55, is a Mami Beach, Florida native. She was the fourth member of the jury and was voted out as the eleventh person. Colleen was offered to be the cast of 'Survivor: All Stars' but she turned down the offer. She did a role in 'The Animal' and was also part of 'That 70s Show'. As of now, Colleen is living in New York.
Sean Kenniff
Sean Kenniff, now 52, was placed fifth in 'Survivor'. Ever since the show, Sean was offered many opportunities. He appeared in 'Nash Bridges' and 'Guiding Light'. Sean is also one of the medical experts on the South Florida station WFOR-Ch. He also wrote a book 'Etre The Cow.'
Susan Hawk
Susan Hawk, now 60, came in fourth place in 'Survivor'. She is Palmyra, Wisconsin, native. Unlike other contestants, her time on the show was not that good. She quit the show after feeling that she was inappropriately touched by one of the cast members. According to the reports, Susan now lives on a farm and owns 60 acres of land with her husband. She currently lives in Missouri.
Rudy Boesch
Rudy Boesch is now dead. He came to the show when he was 72 years old. In November 2021, at the age of 91, Rudy died due to complications with Alzheimer's. The retired Navy SEAL wrote a book after the show.
Kelly Wiglesworth
Kelly Wiglesworth, now 44, was the runner-up of 'Survivor' Season 1. She later returned to the show 'Survivor: Cambodia' and came eleventh. She later was featured in a new TV series named 'Mana' with fellow 'Survivor' mate Joe. Kelly being an enthusiast traveled all across the globe due to 'Mana'.
Richard Hatch
Richard Hatch, now 61, was declared the winner of the show. Along with a few other castmates, he later was featured in 'Survivor: All-Stars'. However, Richard did not do well and landed up in a controversy with Susan Hawk. Richard was arrested for tax evasion. He was convicted in 2006 and was sentenced to 51 months in jail. After coming out from jail, Richard resided in Rhode Island, pursuing a PhD.
'Survivor' Season 44 is to release on March 1, 2023, at 8 pm ET/PT on CBS.