Who died on 'Survivor'? From deadly accidents to cancer, know more about late brave castaways of CBS show
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Survivor' stands as the longest-running reality show on CBS. With numerous successful seasons and winners, it has consistently held its place as a favorite among viewers.
'Survivor' is the longest-running US reality show, having aired nearly 45 seasons over 20 years. Unfortunately, some contestants from the show have died due to several reasons.
This reality show, unlike its contemporaries, features unpredictability in each episode. From surprise vote-outs to contestants quitting in the middle of the program due to various circumstances, the show is true to the Darwinian principle of 'survival of the fittest'.
Contestants work hard every minute to stay alive and advance in the game by defeating their opponents. Last but not least, the incredible four-time Emmy-winning host Jeff Probst is a treat to watch. His remarkable wit, intelligence, and skill in guiding contestants contribute to the show's appeal.
With 20+ years of existence, the show has witnessed the deaths of some of its alumni. Let's look at the 'Survivor' contestants who have died.
Who has died on 'Survivor'?
Among almost 600 contestants of over 20+ years of 'Survivor,' some contestants unfortunately died.
They are Rudy Boesch, B.B Anderson, Roger Sexton, Jenn Lyon, Clay Jordan, Angie Jakusz, Ashley Massaro, Dan Kay, Keith Nale, Sunday Burquest, Dan Lembo, Ralph Kiser, Caleb Bankston and Cliff Robinson.
1. Rudy Boesch (Seasons 1 and 8)
A contestant of the OG Season, he was the oldest one to participate in the show. He competed in 'Survivor: Borneo,' which premiered on May 31, 2000, becoming a sensation over the next three months. His wit and intelligence paired with survival instincts made him a fan favorite.
Rudolph Boesch was born on January 20, 1928, in Rochester, New York. He joined the merchant marine in 1944 and enlisted in the Navy the following year, training in underwater demolition and serving on ships for the next 17 years.
Rudy Boesch died at the age of 91 in an old-age retirement community on November 1, 2019. His death was attributed to complications arising from Dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
2. B.B Anderson, Season 1
Bill Byren Anderson was a contestant in 'Survivor: Borneo', the inaugural season of the CBS show which first aired on May 31, 2000. His overbearing demeanor might have even irked his tribemates.
Yet, his unwavering confidence made for compelling viewing. His journey on 'Survivor: Borneo' came to an end when he was voted out at the Pangong Tribe's first tribal council.
He died from brain cancer on October 29, 2013.
3. Roger Sexton, Season 6
Roger Sexton was the oldest participant of Season 6. Even though he worked hard throughout the season, he was often considered 'misogynistic' and 'bigoted.'
That might be a reason why he was voted out in the season's memorable voting confessionals. He died of Lewy Body Dementia in October 2022.
4. Clay Jordan, Season 5
Clay Jordan was a finalist of 'Survivor' Season 5. He belonged to the Chuay Gahn tribe which performed exceptionally well in the season.
His notable friendship with Brian Heidik added an engaging dynamic to the show. Ultimately, Brian chose to take Clay to the finals, yet the outcome was a narrow loss for Clay, with just one vote deciding his fate.
He died in 2022 from an undisclosed illness after his wife died due to Covid-19.
5. Jenn Lyon, Season 10
Jennifer Lyon was a contestant in 'Survivor: Palau' in 2005, making it to the final four. The reality TV actress was first diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer a few months after she concluded 'Survivor.'
She opted for a modified, radical bilateral mastectomy, followed by treatments of chemotherapy and tamoxifen, a medicine believed to prevent recurrence. She died shortly after attending the 10th-anniversary party of 'Survivor'.
She died on January 19, 2010, and was the first 'Survivor' castaway to die. A special segment was dedicated to Jenn on the 'Survivor' Season 20 reunion.
6. Angie Jakusz, Season 10
Angie Jakuza was a part of 'Survivor: Palau' Season 10, and despite facing challenges, she showcased resilience, wit, and intelligence, establishing herself as a formidable competitor on the show.
In November 2017, she was diagnosed with squamous cell colorectal cancer. She died on January 8, 2021, due to cancer.
7. Ashley Massaro, Season 15
Ashley Massaro was a contestant in 'Survivor: China' Season 15, bringing an interesting dynamic as a former WWE participant. Despite being a strong contestant, she faced health challenges, falling ill in the early days of the show.
Unfortunately, she was voted out during the second vote as her tribe felt she was too weak to compete. Ashley died by suicide at the age of 39 on May 16, 2019.
7. Dan Kay, Season 17
Dan Kay participated in 'Survivor: Gabon' Season 17 as a member of the Fang tribe. Despite his efforts, he struggled to secure the trust of his tribe, and things took a turn when he was swapped to another group.
He was then voted out by the tribe due to concerns he might possess a hidden immunity idol from Exile Island. He died of undisclosed reason on December 31, 2016.
8. Dan Lembo, Season 21
Dan Lembo demonstrated his charismatic nature throughout his time on 'Survivor: Nicaragua'. The real estate agent was 63 years old when he competed in the show, making him one of the oldest participants of the CBS show.
Despite his poor performance in the tasks, he advanced to the final five before being voted off the island. He died on September 3, 2022, in his Manhattan home. He died of supranuclear palsy, a brain condition.
9. Ralph Kiser, Season 22
Ralph Kiser was a contestant in 'Survivor: Redemption Island's Season 22. Known for his lovable and quirky personality, he quickly became a favorite among his tribemates.
Who could forget his master alliance to vote out the villain of the season Russell Hantz? Ralph finished ninth in his season. He died of a heart attack on April 20, 2022.
10. Caleb Bankston, Season 27
Caleb participated in 'Survivor: Blood vs Water' Season 27, initially entering the show as the fiancé of Season 24 participant Colton Cumbie. Despite Colton's early elimination, Caleb continued to play the game.
He was even appreciated for his gameplay by host Jeff Probst during his vote-out. He died on June 24, 2014, from a work-related accident at a railroad site.
11. Cliff Robinson, Season 28
Cliff Robinson was a contestant in 'Survivor: Cagayan Season 28. He was a prominent and famous member of the Appari tribe. Notably, he held the distinction of being the oldest male cast member of the season.
The former NBA player with an impressive physique was voted out after he was swapped to Solana Tribe. In 2017, he suffered a stroke, and in 2018, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his jaw.
The following year, in 2019, he faced another battle, undergoing surgery for cancer. Unfortunately, he died on August 29, 2022, due to lymphoma.
12. Keith Nale, Season 29 and Season 31
Keith Nale, a two-time fan favorite who finished fourth in 'Survivor: San Juan del Sur' and fifth in 'Survivor: Cambodia' died of cancer in 2023 at the age of 62. Keith's son, Wes, also appeared on the show.
13. Sunday Burquest, Season 33
Sunday Burquest, a participant in Season 33, died in 2021, after a year-long fight with two types of cancer (esophageal and ovarian).
Before this, she also battled breast cancer in 2012. Sunday was the oldest female contestant in the Gen X tribe at 45 years old. Unfortunately, she died at the age of 50.
Tune in to CBS to watch 'Survivor' Season 46 on February 28, 2024 at 8 pm ET.