“Survivor” originally started as a show about a group of strangers who had no knowledge of each other before the game began. However, things have changed a bit through the years. Beginning with “Survivor: Guatemala” (Season 11) and the casting of ex-NFL quarterback Gary Hogeboom, CBS’s reality TV show has featured notable figures from the world of sports, entertainment and beyond, some of whom are identifiable by other castaways on the island. Below you can tour our gallery of the dozens of “Survivor” celebrity cast members who had some level of fame prior to competing on the program. Which ones did you recognize before their seasons ever aired? Originally published April 2020.
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Gary Hogeboom
Image Credit: CBS 7th place on “Survivor: Guatemala” – Season 11
Ex-NFL Quarterback
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Dan Barry
Image Credit: CBS 11th place on “Survivor: Panama” – Season 12
Astronaut
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Jonathan Penner
Image Credit: CBS 7th place on “Survivor: Cook Islands” – Season 13
15th place on “Survivor: Micronesia” – Season 16
7th place on “Survivor: Philippines” – Season 25
Writer/Actor
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Ashley Massaro
Image Credit: CBS 15th place on “Survivor: China” – Season 15
WWE Wrestler
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Jean-Robert Bellande
Image Credit: CBS 9th place on “Survivor: China” – Season 15
Poker Player
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Crystal Cox
Image Credit: CBS 6th place on “Survivor: Gabon” – Season 17
Former Olympic Athlete
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Ken Hoang
Image Credit: CBS 5th place on “Survivor: Gabon” – Season 17
Professional Gamer
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Taj Johnson-George
Image Credit: CBS 4th place on “Survivor: Tocantins” – Season 18
Former Pop Star
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Jimmy Johnson
Image Credit: CBS 18th place on “Survivor: Nicaragua” – Season 21
Former NFL Coach
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Steve Wright
Image Credit: CBS 10th place on “Survivor: Redemption Island” – Season 22
Ex-NFL Player
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Grant Mattos
Image Credit: CBS 8th place on “Survivor: Redemption Island” – Season 22
Ex-NFL Player
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Whitney Duncan
Image Credit: CBS 9th place on “Survivor: South Pacific” – Season 23
Country Music Singer
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Jeff Kent
Image Credit: CBS 10th place on “Survivor: Philippines” – Season 25
Retired MLB Player
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LIsa Whelchel
Image Credit: CBS Co-runner-up on “Survivor: Philippines” – Season 25
Former TV Teen Star
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Julia Landauer
Image Credit: CBS 13th place on “Survivor: Caramoan” – Season 26
Racecar Driver
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Brad Culpepper
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS 15th place on “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” – Season 27
Runner-up on “Survivor: Game Changers” – Season 34
Retired NFL Player
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David Samson
Image Credit: CBS 18th place on “Survivor: Cagayan” – Season 28
Miami Marlins President
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Garrett Adelstein
Image Credit: CBS 17th place on “Survivor: Cagayan” – Season 28
Pro Poker Player
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Cliff Robinson
Image Credit: CBS 14th place on “Survivor: Cagayan” – Season 28
Former NBA All-Star
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John Rocker
Image Credit: CBS 16th place on “Survivor: San Juan del Sur” – Season 29
Former MLB Player
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Anna Khait
Image Credit: CBS 13th place on “Survivor: Kaoh Rong” – Season 32
Pro Poker Player
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Scot Pollard
Image Credit: CBS 8th place on “Survivor: Kaoh Rong” – Season 32
Former NBA Champion
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Mari Takahashi
Image Credit: CBS 19th place on “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X” – Season 33
Gamer
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Katrina Radke
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS 18th place on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers” – Season 35
Olympian
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Alan Ball
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS 15th place on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers” – Season 35
NFL Player
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John Hennigan
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS 12th place on “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” – Season 37
Pro Wrestler
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Mike White
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS Runner-up on “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” – Season 37
Actor and Emmy-winning filmmaker
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Ron Clark
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS 8th place on “Survivor: Edge of Extinction” – Season 38
Teacher
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Ronnie Bardah
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS 20th place on “Survivor: Island of the Idols” – Season 39
Professional Poker Player
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Tom Laidlaw
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS 16th place on “Survivor: Island of the Idols” – Season 39
Former NHL Player
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Elizabeth Beisel
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS 9th place on “Survivor: Island of the Idols” – Season 39
Olympic Medalist
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Danny McCray
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS 6th place on “Survivor 41”
Ex-NFL Player
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Noelle Lambert
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS 8th place on “Survivor 43”
One-legged Paralympian track and field athlete
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Brandon Cottom
Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS 10th place on “Survivor 44”
Former Seattle Seahawks fullback
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Jon Lovett
Image Credit: CBS Contestant on “Survivor 47”
Comedian and political speechwriter