Survivor Contestants You Might Not Know Passed Away

For more than 20 years, the beloved reality competition show "Survivor" has been one of the most popular viewing options on television, cranking out an average of two seasons a year across its impressive run. What eventually became "Survivor" was first aired in 1997 as a Swedish reality competition show called "Expedition Robinson" (later shortened to just "Robinson"). That transformed into the American series "Survivor" three years later, and since then, dozens of countries have had their own version of the show — some using "Survivor," some using "Robinson," and some going with a different title entirely.

The franchise has been going for so long at this point that you probably won't be surprised to learn that some former castaways are no longer with us, but that doesn't make the deaths of these "Survivor" contestants any less sad. From past winners to fan favorites, here's a list of "Survivor" castaways that you may not know passed away.

A competition show like "Survivor" can't go on for years and years without introducing twists and gimmicks along the way to keep things fresh. For Season 22, "Redemption Island," that meant a new wrinkle where players voted out during the Tribal Council went to the titular island, where they could win their way back into the competition. Contestant Ralph Kiser made it to the final 10 in the season with this unusual format, and also became a frequent source of comic relief for viewers as he frequently misspelled his fellow castaways' names when voting in the Tribal Council.

After "Survivor," Kiser went back to his home in Virginia where he returned to the animal auction he owned and operated. 11 years later, in 2022, Kiser passed away from a heart attack at the age of 56. Following his death, Jeff Probst said of Kiser in a tweet: "His huge smile, his positive attitude and of course his infectious rooster crow made him one of the most likable to ever play Survivor."

Various seasons of "Survivor" have brought back castaways from previous years, and one of the most interesting ways the show did that was seen in Season 27, "Blood vs. Water." The gimmick: 10 contestants from previous seasons were put together on a tribe called Galang, and that team went up against a tribe of 10 loved ones called Tadhana. This brought Caleb Bankston to "Survivor" via the Tadhana team, as he was the fiancé of Colton Cumbie from the "Survivor: One World" season. Bankston lasted on the show until the inevitable merging of the two tribes, but didn't make it to the top eight.

Bankston was killed in a train accident in 2014, only a year after "Blood vs. Water" aired. He was the conductor of the train when it derailed. An investigation into what might have caused the accident proved inconclusive. "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of Caleb," Jeff Probst said in a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter). "He was one of the most humble and likable contestants we've ever had the pleasure of working with on the show. A true gentleman. He will be missed by so many. We extend our most sincere condolences to his family and to his fiancé, Colton."

The first season of "Survivor" — retroactively referred to as "Survivor: Borneo" — seems quaint now compared to subsequent seasons in that there wasn't yet a need for big twists or clever gimmicks. The basic premise of the show was still novel enough to be exciting, and the initial group of castaways got to become noteworthy by nature of just being the first. Still, various members of that season stood out at the time and remain among the most talked-about in the history of the show, and one such castaway is Rudy Boesch, who would later return for "Survivor: All-Stars" in the eighth season.

At 72 years old during "Borneo" and 75 during "All-Stars," Boesch remains the oldest castaway in the history of the show. With that in mind, it's impressive that he only just passed away in 2019. The retired Navy SEAL was 91 years old and died after complications from Alzheimer's disease. Following his death, fellow first season castaway (and winner) Richard Hatch referred to Boesch as a "dear friend" and pointed out how their unlikely friendship was a great example of overcoming prejudices. "While your time here has passed, you will remain loved and iconic," Hatch said in a tweet.

Not all "Survivor" castaways are new to television. Take, for example, Cliff Robinson of the "Survivor: Cagayan" season. Prior to competing on the 28th season of the show, Robinson had been an 18-year veteran of the NBA. The 1989 draft pick was awarded the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1993, followed by being voted onto the All-Star team in 1994. His basketball pedigree made him an ideal candidate for "Survivor," despite his age (46) at the time. 

Although he proved himself a capable competitor on the show against a field of almost all younger contestants (only Trish Hegarty was older at 48), Robinson's health took a bad turn after his time on "Survivor." In 2017, he suffered a brain hemorrhage, and he had a non-cancerous tumor removed from his jaw the following year. In 2019, he was diagnosed with lymphoma, which ultimately caused his death: In 2020, at 53 years old, the NBA and "Survivor" veteran — known to his fans as "Uncle Cliffy" — passed away from the disease.

Another "Survivor" contestant who was famous before her time on the show, Ashley Massaro had already been a WWE wrestler for two years when she appeared on 2007's "Survivor: China," the 15th season of the series. However, her time on "Survivor" was as contentious as it was brief: She instantly butted heads with her fellow contestants and was voted off in only the second Tribal Council of the season. A year after her short time on "Survivor," it was announced by the WWE that Massaro had been released from her contract with the company.

Massaro said at the time that she asked to have her contract terminated early due to her daughter being sick, but there was apparently more to it than that: She later detailed what she said were poor working conditions and joined a 2016 class action lawsuit against the WWE for failing to look after the health and safety of its wrestlers, a legal conflict that came to be known as the "WWE Concussion Lawsuit." Three years later, Massaro died by apparent suicide. She was found unconscious at her home after failing to show up for a radio station gig. Efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful and she died while being transferred to a hospital.

Season 10, "Survivor: Palau," had a World War II theme and even used actual relics from the war for the backdrops of challenges and the Tribal Council set. The season also introduced audiences to Jennifer Lyon, who quickly became a fan favorite for her upbeat, positive attitude. She stuck around in the competition for quite some time and made history when she was eliminated in the series' first-ever final four fire-building challenge after a deadlocked Tribal Council vote. After "Survivor," Lyon took a crack at acting when she appeared in the films "Daddy Day Camp" and "Cannibal Feast" — though she's not to be confused with actor Jenn Lyon, known for the TV shows "Justified" and "Claws."

Unfortunately, Jennifer Lyon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. She attended the "Palau" reunion that year, at which time she reconnected with "Survivor" host Jeff Probst and some of her fellow contestants and was able to rekindle some of those friendships in the final years of her life. Per Entertainment Weekly, Probst in particular spoke of how he and Lyon "became very close, very fast" during that time and had a lot of emotional discussions about the impact of her disease on herself and her family. Lyon died in January 2010 at the age of 37.

Unfortunately, Jennifer Lyon isn't the only contestant from "Survivor: Palau" to have passed away since her time on the show. Her fellow castaway Angie Jakusz was the second member of that season to lose her life to cancer. Jakusz initially had trouble fitting in with her tribe due to her quirkiness, but soon won them over with her skill in challenges and felt like a more seasoned athlete than her relatively young age (she was 25 when she appeared on the show) might have otherwise suggested.

Speaking to People, her fellow castaway Coby Archa later praised Jakusz for the way she "broke the casting barrier" by having "dreads and tattoos" at a time when that was almost unheard of on the show, particularly among women. In 2021, it was revealed that Jakusz had died after being diagnosed with cancer. In the description of her history with the disease on a GoFundMe page set up by her family to cover her medical expenses, it was inferred that her cancer had previously been in remission but returned. Sadly, she was unable to fight it off again and passed away in January 2021 at the age of 40.

It's no secret that the producers of "Survivor" enjoy casting young, physically attractive contestants, but they've also done an admirable job at bringing in much older castaways than one might expect from this type of show. This mixed approach was established right off the bat, as the "Borneo" season had not only the 72-year-old Rudy Boesch but also the 63-year-old Sonja Christopher and the 64-year-old Bill "B.B." Andersen. That being said, while Boesch shocked everyone by making it all the way to third place, his fellow 60+ contestants were the first two voted out.

Andersen has the unfortunate distinction of being the second castaway ever voted off "Survivor." For what it's worth, he had previously made it known pretty quickly that he didn't care if he was eliminated. Even though his time on the show was brief, he still managed to parlay his 15 minutes of fame into endorsement deals with both Reebok and Home Depot. Andersen died from brain cancer at age 77 in 2013, 13 years after ensuring his place in pop culture history as one of the original cast members on "Survivor."

In Season 29, "Survivor: San Juan del Sur," Southern charmer Keith Nale, along with his son Wes, were among the nine pairs of loved ones competing against one another for the $1 million grand prize. As the season's underdog who struggled strategically, it was impressive how far the Louisiana native made it in the competition. His physicality and charm took him all the way to the final four. In fact, he made such a lasting impact that he was invited to return by public vote for Season 31, "Survivor: Cambodia." Again, Nale advanced far into the competition using his physical strengths before being voted off in the final five.

The two-time competitor was a fan favorite for his easygoing, down-to-Earth demeanor. When his son broke the news of his death in April 2023, it understandably hit fans hard. "He passed away this afternoon. He'd been battling cancer for the past few months and we found out about it in January," Wes told Entertainment Tonight. Following the news, "Survivor" host Jeff Probst and the series' Instagram account issued a collective statement honoring Nale, reading, "Keith was a one-of-a-kind human. Completely unique in every way. He brought endless joy and laughter to 'Survivor' fans and to those of us who made the show with him. He was adored by so many and will be greatly missed."

Dan Lembo was 63 years old when he competed on Season 21, "Survivor: Nicaragua." However, despite his age, he carried himself well, getting all the way to the top five before being voted off. He was a frequent target, but Lembo was often spared due to his strategic gameplay and the fact that he wasn't perceived as being as big of a threat as other castaways. The group's reasoning behind Lembo's eventual dismissal was attributed to his popularity among the jury, leading to a unanimous vote for his elimination. Audiences most fondly remember him for a viral moment, immortalized as a meme, in which he sits atop a giant chair, playfully swinging his feet.

In September 2022, Dan Lembo died from progressive supranuclear palsy at age 75. According to his daughter-in-law, Lembo was diagnosed with the incurable brain disorder six years before his death. His loved ones remember him in his obituary as "a charismatic, larger-than-life, outgoing bon vivant. He loved nothing more than spending time with his children and friends — new and old."

The 17th season of "Survivor" was the second shot in Africa and the first to be filmed in high definition. Subtitled "Gabon — Earth's Last Eden," this season introduced viewers to Dan Kay, who revealed that he had an early midlife crisis that made him quit his job, sell all his investments, and audition for "Survivor." Given that he had put so much on the line prior to competing on the show, it's a good thing he wasn't voted off quickly: Kay ended up making it to Day 20 before he was eliminated.

While it's not known what Kay did for work after his time on "Survivor," he continued to pursue adventure as an active skier and runner, completing a half marathon. Eight years after he appeared on "Survivor" and hit the reset button on his life, Kay died unexpectedly at the age of 40. The cause of death wasn't revealed to the public, with Kay's girlfriend telling Radar Online: "We're not releasing how he passed at this time." No further public statement from Kay's loved ones was released.

Around a decade ago, the internet helped to fuel a war between the generations, pitting Baby Boomers against Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Zers. "Survivor" pounced on this in 2016 when they went with the gimmick of "Millennials vs. Gen X" for the show's 33rd season. One of the early standouts of the Gen X team was Sunday Burquest, whose easygoing and likable demeanor let her form multiple alliances that kept her safe until various back-stabbings led to her elimination in 7th place.

In 2021, only five years after her "Survivor" stint, author and youth pastor Burquest passed away at age 50 from esophageal cancer that also spread to her ovaries. Doctors had only given her "a few months" to live upon the initial diagnosis, but she ended up making it for 10. Prior to that, she had beaten breast cancer in 2012, before her appearance on "Survivor." In a heartfelt Instagram tribute, Jeff Probst spoke warmly of Burquest's smile and her kindness, stating, "She seemed to understand better than most that life is for living, so say yes to life whenever possible."

Texas-born Louisiana resident Clay Jordan was the runner-up in Season 5, "Survivor: Thailand," despite being the last man picked during the tribal Schoolyard Pick. Ultimately beaten by Brian Heidik, the two formed an alliance that secured their spots in the top two. However, Heidik proved to be the more calculated and strategic castaway. 

Throughout his 39 days on the island of Ko Tarutao, Jordan also made some enemies with his occasional controversial remarks. Tensions were particularly high between Jordan and opposing tribe member Robb Zbacnik, who memorably grabbed Jordan by the throat in a heated moment. Despite being a divisive castaway, he was undeniably one of the most entertaining.

Just a few months after his wife's death, Clay Jordan died after a "short illness" in May 2022 at the age of 66. His daughter made the announcement on Facebook, writing, "Clay Brooks Jordan, my sweetheart of a Dad, went to heaven to meet Jesus and be reunited with his beautiful bride! Andy and I are so heartbroken, but we get comfort from knowing they are together and he is no longer in pain. We love you, Dad! You will forever be my HERO!"

The oldest contestant in Season 6, "Survivor: The Amazon," 56-year-old castaway Roger Sexton performed well physically but was ultimately voted off after making some enemies along the way. Caught up in the gender dynamics of the competition, Sexton let his misogynistic mindset get the better of him by dismissing the female castaways. When the original alliances based on gender lines shifted without his knowledge, Sexton was blindsided and became the seventh castaway to be voted off. His boot episode remains one of the most memorable segments in "Survivor" history.

In October 2022, Sexton died at age 76 from Lewy Body Dementia. He passed away at his daughter and son-in-law's home in Walla Walla, Washington. "Confidence, discipline, and determination to succeed were all vital components to Roger's character," his family said in his obituary. "His constant drive and amazing physicality allowed him a lifelong pursuit of his love for backpacking in the high country of the Sierra Nevadas, skiing the powdered bowls of California, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado, mastering the powdered terrain while helicopter skiing in the Ruby Mountains, and riding the dusty trails of Southern California on his mountain bike."

Russian actor, singer, and model Jeanna "Zhanna" Friske was a two-time contestant on the Russian version of "Survivor," appearing in "Posledniy Geroy 4: Konets Igry" and "Posledniy Geroy 5: Superigra." In her first season on the show, Friske was among 20 castaways consisting of Russian celebrities. She made it to the final day but lost to Yana Volkova. After returning from the island, Friske announced her solo career, splitting from the musical girl group Blestyashchie. The next year, she returned for "Posledniy Geroy 5: Superigra" as one of the nine returning castaways. Again, Friske ended the season as the runner-up, losing to Aleksandr Matveev.

Friske continued to thrive in the spotlight after her time on "Posledniy Geroy," becoming a well-known celebrity in Russia. However, in January 2014, just months after their son's birth, Friske's husband announced that she had brain cancer. According to Billboard, Friske refused chemotherapy while pregnant with her son for his safety. In June 2015, Friske died at age 40.

Former Australian Football League (AFL) professional footballer Rob Dickson won the title of Sole Survivor in the first season of "Australian Survivor." Although the season was poorly rated in comparison to the American version, Dickson impressed viewers with his physical and strategic abilities throughout the intense 39-day competition near Port Lincoln in South Australia. Dickson secured his spot in the final two by winning the final immunity challenge, and, at the climactic Final Tribal Council, he defeated Sciona Browne with a five-to-two vote.

In April 2009, Dickson and his two sons died in a car accident during a trip to South Africa. He and his five-year-old son Byron died in the collision, with eight-year-old Gabriel later passing away in the hospital from his injuries. Dickson's wife Dusty survived the crash. "Our family is devastated by the news," Dickson's brother said in a statement (via the Australian Broadcasting Corporation). "Rob was a wonderful brother, a wonderful son and father to his boys." Dickson was inducted into the Australian Survivor Hall of Fame in 2020.

24-year-old Tebby Gasennelwe was the Sole Survivor of "Survivor Africa: Panama." Gasennelwe, who was from Gaborone, Botswana, triumphed against 11 other castaways over the course of 21 physically and mentally grueling days. When it came down to the final four, the remaining castaways competed in two challenges in order to determine the final two. Gasennelwe advanced after winning the first challenge and ultimately won in a five-to-one vote against runner-up Jeremiah Zulu, taking home the $100,000 grand prize and becoming one the youngest "Survivor" winners to date.

Sadly, her life came to a premature and shocking end: In August 2016, Gasennelwe was murdered by her gardener at age 34. A memorial Facebook page created by Gasennelwe's loved ones shared her obituary, describing the writer and entrepreneur as "a selfless soul" who "deeply enriched our lives." The page is still active to this day, where loved ones continue to share cherished memories of Gasennelwe.

Cris Bolado, a former Philippine Basketball Association professional basketball player who went by the nickname "The Lucky Charm," was one of 16 castaways in Season 2 of the Philippine version of "Survivor," "Survivor Philippines: Palau." Bolado retired from professional basketball in 2003 due to an injury, but he was still in great shape when he arrived on the island of Peleliu to compete on the show. He possessed a clear physical advantage over the other castaways, standing at 6 feet 7 inches tall.

On day 21, Bolado was voted off in a two-one-one vote. He was the last castaway to be eliminated before the merge. Although Bolado was given the chance to rejoin the competition in the final face-off challenge a few days later, he ultimately lost to the season's runner-up, Justine Ferrer. In September 2017, Bolado died in a motorcycle accident in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he owned a restaurant. Bolado, who won nine basketball titles between 1994 and 2003, was just 47 at the time of his death.

In Season 15 of the French version of "Survivor," "Koh-Lanta: Malaisie," 60-year-old retired nature guide and self-proclaimed adventurer Bernard Deniaud impressively made it to the top five. Initially banished at the start of the season after not being selected during the tribal Schoolyard Pick, Deniaud managed to find his footing after being integrated into the Mawar tribe. He eventually made it to the merge and was the last Mawar tribe member standing. However, Deniaud was ultimately eliminated after losing the Orienteering challenge alongside Philippe Bizet.

In May 2021, Deniaud died from an unpublicized illness at the age of 69. The show's host, Denis Brogniart, tweeted in remembrance of the castaway, writing, "He was a man who loved nature, a great sportsman who loved long-term challenges." Despite keeping his distance from the show after the season's conclusion, his competitiveness and genuine spirit lives on within the show's legacy in France and around the "Survivor" world.

In Season 6 of the French version of "Survivor," "Koh-Lanta: Vanuatu," 60-year-old heating and sanitary warehouseman Jean-Claude Errin made it to day 18 before being medically evacuated from the game after an injury to his hand during the fifth reward challenge failed to heal. Errin was one of three castaways who had to be medically evacuated that season, which was especially difficult due to a cyclone and several earthquakes — sadly, climate change has continued to take a toll on "Survivor."

Given his age, Errin did relatively well throughout the challenges before his injury. "I wanted to show my children and my grandchildren that old people can still do something good," he told Le Républicain Lorrain (via TV Mag). In October 2019, Errin died from a ruptured aneurysm at the age of 74. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years earlier. The show's host, Denis Brogniart, took to X (formerly Twitter) to commemorate the departed castaway, writing, "Thoughts for his loved ones and all the adventurers who were lucky enough to know him."

Sweden's "Expedition Robinson 1997" was the inaugural season of the "Survivor" franchise and arguably the first reality TV competition of its kind. Bosnian refugee Sinisa Savija and 15 other castaways were stepping into metaphorical uncharted territory when they were put on Tengah Island in Malaysia. Although Savija coped with the challenges, he struggled to connect with the rest of the castaways, with Swedish being his second language. As a result, Savija was the first ever castaway to be voted off the show.

In July 1997, just four weeks after he returned from the island, Savija died by suicide aged 34. The show premiered two months after his death, and his screen time was significantly cut down due to the circumstances. Savija's loved ones attributed his suicide directly to the show and its impact on his mental health. "He became deeply depressed and agonized," said Savija's wife (via The Guardian). "He felt degraded as a person and didn't see any meaning in life." His death continued to raise questions about the ethics of reality TV in the years that followed.

Sonja Christopher will go down in television history as the very first contestant voted off the American version of "Survivor," after she was given the boot at Tribal Council during the show's premiere season, "Survivor: Borneo," in 2000. Competing on the show at the age of 63, Christopher was a retired teacher and music therapist who had just survived a much graver challenge — invasive breast cancer — and the end of her relationship after more than a decade. That's when she saw an article in her local newspaper about CBS holding auditions for a reality show in which 16 people would be stranded on a remote island for six-plus weeks.

Christopher only lasted three days on the show after having trouble with the first challenge, despite her (and her ukulele playing) being popular with viewers and castmates. She did not accuse the rest of the cast of ageism as some have suggested. "I was pretty beaten up," she told EW in 2020. "To this day, I still have bruises that don't go away." A native of Washington and longtime resident of Walnut Creek, California, Christopher passed away from undisclosed causes on April 26, 2024, at age 87.

Isabel Granada was a superstar long before she joined the cast of "Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Doubles Showdown." She earned her stripes as a child star: first in the Philippines-based series "That's Entertainment," then expanding into films like "Bakit Madalas ang Tibok ng Puso," "Shake Rattle and Roll 2," "Chickboys," and "Ligaya ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin." She returned to television later on, mainly appearing in ABS-CBN series like "Wansapanataym." 

During "Celebrity Doubles Showdown," Granada was paired with Chuckie Dreyfus, a fellow '80's child star with whom Granada was friends offscreen. Granada made it to Day 12, while Dreyfus made it to Day 18. Granada was done in by a firemaking challenge that resulted from a tie vote during a tribal council. 

She continued her acting career until her sudden, unexpected death. Granada passed away at the young age of 41 after she suffered multiple cardiac arrests and collapsed at a fan meet-and-greet on October 25. She went into a coma caused by a brain hemorrhage and aneurysm that ended up having a domino effect on her heart. She died on November 4, 2017, with her son, Hubert, and her ex-husband Jericho Aguas at her side.

Bertrand-Kamal Loudrhiri was a tall, strapping lad with long blond hair when he appeared on Season 24 of France's version of "Survivor." Titled "Koh-Lanta: Les 4 Terres," the block of episodes dispatched a group of French citizens into Fiji. One wouldn't imagine that he would pass away before his season would finish hitting the airwaves, but Loudrhiri passed away of pancreatic cancer on September 9, 2020, just two episodes into the season. He was only 30 years old.

Loudrhiri made it all the way to Day 25 on the show, but was eliminated after nine episodes when he came in last during an immunity idol challenge. He was diagnosed with cancer soon after the season wrapped filming. Loudrhiri was open with his feelings about having the disease, telling Le Bien Public that he chose to live authentically as he grappled with his difficult diagnosis. "I have no shame about it," he said. "This time, it's a fight against cancer that awaits me. The trials aren't over yet for me." 

In the wake of Loudrhiri's death, series host Denis Brogniart led a tribute to him during Episode 3. The entire season was dedicated to him, and Brogniart praised Loudrhiri as a "formidable adventurer." 

Blanca Fernández-Ochoa gained fame as an Olympic-caliber skier and gold medalist for Spain during the 1990s. She had appearences in four different Olympiads under her belt and a bronze medal in slalom from the 1993 games when she appeared on the fifth season of the Spanish version of Survivor, "Supervivientes," subtitled "La Selva de los Famosos." It as an all-celebrity season, and the sort of competition Fernández-Ochoa was made for. She survived until Day 49, just missing the top three.

But only a few years after she experienced such triumph, tragedy occurred. Fernández-Ochoa disappeared in Madrid on August 23, 2019. Her body was found in the mountains on September 5, 2019. Her death was later declared a suicide, as she was found with a bottle of alcohol and pills nearby. She had recently gone through a divorce and her husband had retained custody of their two minor children. 

Kirill Aleksandrovich Detsl Tolmatskiy — best known as Detsl — had a whole career as a Russian rap artist before joining "Posledniy Geroy 4: Konets Igry," the fourth season of Russia's version of "Survivor." Detsl only lasted for four weeks before being eliminated, quickly outmatched by the elements and his own strategy. But his life as a popular Russian rapper and deejay was a much bigger guiding and driving force in his life.

Tolmatskiy started out as a teen star and continued to rack up hits as an adult under the name Le Truk, a moniker he picked up to differentiate himself from his humble childhood beginnings. Over his lifetime, he released nine albums, touching on a variety of genres, like house music and reggae. Detsl died of a heart attack while performing at a birthday party on February 3, 2019. He was 25 years old.

Nicolas Roy almost went all the way. A popular figure on the French "Koh-Lanta" program, he appeared in "Koh-Lanta: Nicoya" and "Koh-Lanta: La Revanche des Héros." On "Nicoya," he made it to second place; on "La Revache des Heros," he only lasted for two weeks. 

His stints on the program were spaced out by 10 years and aided and abetted by his reputation as a cunning gamemaster. He became a classic villain in the "Koh-Lanta" world, insisting all the while that he was a nice guy outside of the game. But he's best known for becoming the first Frenchman to really get how to play the game, with knives out, a willingness to cheat, and strategy at the ready. That infamy definitely didn't pay off during his appearance on the reunion program: too many people knew his approach and were eager to ferret out a rat. Roy passed away at the age of 48 on February 25 , 2020. The stated cause was jaw cancer. 

Actor Paolo Calissano appeared on yet another celebrity-only version of the program, "L'Isola dei Famosi 2," which was part of the Italian take on "Survivor." Calissano infamously quit during Day 8 after injuring his knee, causing him to leave the competition early. Best known for appearing in "Giochi senza frontiere" on television in his home country, Calissano had a wide-ranging career in show business, appearing as a host, an actor and even a commercial model during his time on screen, stage, and television. In America, he was best known for his appearences in the films "Double Team" and "Black Friday."

Calissano did deal with his own controversies: a woman named Ana Lucia Bandeira Bezerra was found dead in his home on September 25, 2005. The cause of death was eventually ruled a drug overdose, and Calissano was accused of giving her cocaine. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to four years in prison, which he served in rehabilitation. Calissano was found dead in his home on December 30, 2021; while his family called it a suicide, Calissano was determined to have died from drug intoxification. 

Raoul Casadei was mainly a musician and bandleader who knew how to make his opponents sing and sway to Liscio, a spirited sort of ballroom dance music that was conceived in Romagna. Casadei was called "The King of Liscio," and his talent showed in his long composing and conducting career, which stretched from the 1950s into the 2000s. He didn't seem like the sort of fellow who would make a huge impact on "L'Isola dei Famosi," the Italian version of "Survivor," but he nevertheless took part in the fourth season of the program.

Casadei lasted 15 days on the program before being voted out, ultimately returning to his rich musical roots. He also kept up a lively teaching career for 17 years and wrote his own memoir in 2013. Alas, COVID-19 put an end to his life; he passed away in a hospital on March 13, 2021 from complications related to the illness. He was 83 years old. 

Carla Levy left behind quite the impression when she debuted on "Expedición Robinson 2001," the Argentinian version of the series. Tough and uncompromising, she made it all the way to the final round but lost in a vote to María Victoria "Vick" Fernández, with both women lasting for 39 days. "Expedición Robinson 2001" was the first-ever reality show to exist in Argentina, and it helped change the television landscape there. But Levy wasn't one to cling to the limelight.

After her 15 minutes were up, Levy returned to her day job and the world of hair styling. She used her prize money to keep her business together, and continued working in the field. She even opened the first hair salon in Argentina to offer its patrons wi-fi in 2002, continuing her history of innovation. Passing away of ovarian cancer — which her family claimed was slow to be correctly diagnosed — Levy died on August 17, 2022 at age 50.

José Luis Losa was a charming winner when he appeared on "Supervivientes 2017," the 16th season of Spain's "Survivor." Notable for his amazing physical transformation thanks to his time in the jungle, Losa outwitted all of his competitors to make it to the top of the heap. Losa, who also made it to the final round of Season 4 of the Spanish take of "MasterChef," "Master Chef España," was apparently well-loved by the people who knew him in Munera, where he settled down after his reality show success.

Unfortunately, Losa apparently could not weather the sudden death of his wife, Inma, who passed away of a heart attack in early 2022. Losa poured his grief into Instagram posts about his loss. He was found dead in his home on May 8, 2022, orphaning his two children at the age of 47. No cause of death has been released to the public.

María Jiménez was another delightfully no-nonsense woman in a long history of no-nonsense women who appeared on "Survivor." She made it 15 days into Season 6 of Spain's "Supervivientes," but was the fourth contestant to be eliminated in spite of her solid gameplaying. Unsurprisingly, Jiménez originally hailed from an industry that makes toughness a requirement of its participants: she was a musician and singer. 

Migrating to Barcelona and working as a maid while she launched her career, her first album came out in 1976, and she went on to release over 21 more records. She also maintained an acting career, appearing in series and films such as "Heroic," "Todos los hombres sois iguales" and "La vida siempre es corta," while also showing up as a presenter for the series "Bienaventurados." Jiménez lived to the age of 73, passing away on September 7, 2023. Natural causes were named as the cause of death. 

Andreas Bjørge had quite the time while participating in "Robinsonekspedisjonen 2000," the second season of Norway's version of "Survivor." He was eliminated after 21 days in the competition, making quite the athletic impression before being voted off. 

An acclaimed photographer, Bjørge was well-loved by his family. When he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given just over four years to live, they were understandably heartbroken. "The hospital wanted him to be there. But dad wanted to be home ... Arrangements were made for him to lie in a bed in the living room for the last few days. On Monday morning, he took his last breath. He passed away peacefully, in the best possible way," Bjørge's youngest son, Gabriel, wrote in a Facebook post (via namdalsavisa.no). Bjørge, who had time to plan his own funeral and say goodbye to his loved ones, was 59 when he passed away on February 22, 2023.

It must take a lot of gumption to go out into the African desert and try to survive, and Kim Johnson did so with aplomb. Making it all the way to the finale, she was ultimately voted the runner-up of "Survivor: Africa," losing to Ethan Zohn. She was a famously tough competitor, winning a challenge requiring her to stand on a pole and hold onto an immunity idol in the blazing heat. She beat back the other contestants, lasting for more than three hours. 

Johnson, a former schoolteacher, was remembered fondly by Zohn on her passing. "It was a blessing to call you my friend and a privilege to experience the final tribal council with you," his Instagram statement read in part, concluding that he would always down planter's punch in her honor. Johnson passed away from cancer on July 23, 2024. She was 79.

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, is struggling or in crisis, contact the relevant resources below:

• Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

• Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.