The Survivor community has mourned the loss of 17 alumni over the years.

The CBS series, which premiered in May 2000, has seen 751 participants throughout its 49 seasons, and it has cultivated a close-knit community among viewers and contestants — which makes every loss hit closer to home.

Seventeen former players have died since competing on the show, with tributes pouring in from their fans, loved ones and fellow alumni. Ahead, look back at their lives and time on the reality competition show.

01 of 17

Jane Bright

Survivor: Nicaragua contestant Jane Bright, who placed sixth in the 21st season and won the Spirit Fan Favorite audience prize, died at age 71 in her North Carolina home. Her daughter, Ashley Hammett, announced her mother’s death in a Facebook post on May 15, 2025.

“What stood out to me about Jane is that she didn’t let age be a barrier to adventure,” wrote host Jeff Probst in his tribute on the show’s official Instagram. “She dove headfirst into Survivor with grit and heart. Jane embodied the spirit of Survivor and leaves a legacy that I hope will continue to inspire others to apply for the adventure of a lifetime.”

02 of 17

Kim Johnson

Survivor: Africa runner-up Kim Johnson died at age 79, her daughter Kerry Johnson Tichi shared in a statement to PEOPLE on July 29, 2024.

“Our mom leaves a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness and generosity. She wore her rose colorized glasses right up until the end,” Johnson Tichi said. “She was the coolest mom and grandmother in the world. We will miss her forever…”

Her castmate, winner Ethan Zohn, wrote in an emotional Instagram post: “It was a blessing to call you my friend and a privilege to experience the final tribal council with you.”

Probst called Johnson a “pioneer” in his tribute to her.

He added, “I remember even then at just 56, how inspiring she was to other ‘older’ people because she showed that age was merely a number and that if you were willing to risk failing you might just amaze yourself.”

03 of 17

Sonja Christopher

Sonja Christopher, the very first person voted off in Survivor history, died at 87. The official Survivor Instagram confirmed her death on April 27, 2024, sharing sweet words about Christopher from Probst.

“Sonja was one of the kindest people to ever play Survivor. Every interaction I had with her over the years was lovely,” the host wrote. “She would always greet you with a smile on her face and joy in her heart.”

04 of 17

Keith Nale

Keith Nale, who appeared on Survivor: San Juan del Sur and Survivor: Cambodia — placing fourth and fifth, respectively — died at age 62 on April 19, 2023. His son Wes, who competed with him in San Juan del Sur, said Nale had “been battling cancer for the past few months and we found out about it in January.”

“Keith was a one-of-a-kind human,” the official Survivor wrote in their tribute to the two-time player. “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.

05 of 17

Roger Sexton

Roger Sexton, who placed 10th on Survivor: The Amazon, died at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Walla Walla, Wash., on Oct. 26, 2022, after a battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was 76.

“Confidence, discipline, and determination to succeed were all vital components to Roger’s character, which assisted him in being cast on Survivor,” his family wrote in his online obituary.

06 of 17

Dan Lembo

Survivor: Nicaragua contestant Dan Lembo, who finished fifth in his season, died at age 75 in his Manhattan home on Sept. 3, 2022.

“Daniel was a charismatic, larger-than-life, outgoing bon vivant. He loved nothing more than spending time with his children and friends — new and old,” read his obituary. His sons, Michael and Matt, also penned loving messages in memory of their dad.

07 of 17

Clay Jordan

Survivor: Thailand runner-up Clay Jordan, who was one vote away from winning his season, died at age 66 on May 19, 2022, following a brief illness.

“He had a heart of gold and a sense of humor that would put a smile on anyone’s face,” read an online obituary to the alum. “What he loved more than anything was his family and he absolutely loved to help people and be of service. He was runner up on Survivor Thailand in 2002 and met many people through his journey of being ‘Clay from Survivor’. He traveled many places and enjoyed life to the fullest.”

08 of 17

Ralph Kiser

Survivor: Redemption Island contestant Ralph Kiser — who finished eighth place — died at age 56 on April 20, 2022, after suffering from a heart attack.

“His huge smile, his positive attitude and of course his infectious rooster crow made him one of the most likable to ever play Survivor,” wrote Probst in the show’s tribute to Kiser.

09 of 17

Sunday Burquest

Sunday Burquest, who finished seventh place in Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, died on April 17, 2021, after battling esophageal and ovarian cancer. She was 50.

Adam Klein, the winner of Burquest’s season, recalled his connection with the late pastor and her “infinite love for her children.”

“A couple nights ago, I sent her a message to check in and send love, and her daughter responded, telling me that ‘she is going to say hi to your mom for you,’ ” said Klein, whose mom died of cancer in 2016. “Sunday was always thinking of others. An angel now, and an angel always.”

“Sunday Burquest had one of the brightest smiles of any person to ever play Survivor,” wrote Probst in his tribute on Instagram. “She radiated kindness and understanding to anyone lucky enough to be in her presence. She seemed to understand better than most, that life is for living, so say yes to life whenever possible.”

10 of 17

Angie Jakusz

Survivor: Palau contestant Angie Jakusz, who ended her run at 13th place, died after a lengthy battle with cancer on Jan. 8, 2021. She was 40.

“She wasn’t into the fame, just the experience of Survivor. She came, she played, and she went back to her life in New Orleans. She liked her life that way,” her former castmate Coby Archa told PEOPLE.

11 of 17

Cliff Robinson

Former NBA All-Star and Survivor: Cagayan contestant Cliff Robinson, who finished 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 personal highlight for me,” Probst wrote on Instagram. “And he was one of the classiest people to ever play the game. He treated the other cast members and the entire crew with grace and respect.

12 of 17

Rudy Boesch

Survivor legend and fan favorite Rudy Boesch, who finished third at age 72 on the show’s first season, died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Nov. 1, 2019. He was 91.

“Ours was an interesting bond, Dear Rudy! You and I helped open minds and undermine predjudces [sic]. While your time here has passed, you will remain loved and iconic, dear friend!” Boesch’s closest Survivor ally Richard Hatch tweeted.

“Rudy passionately loved two things: his wife and the military,” Survivor: Australia winner and Boesch’s All Stars tribemate Tina Wesson told PEOPLE. “It was just that simple. He has always had the respect of every young whippersnapper who came out to play Survivor. Because none of us could do what he did at his age!”

13 of 17

Ashley Massaro

WWE wrestler and Survivor: China 15th-placer Ashley Massaro died at age 39 on May 16, 2019, at her home in Suffolk County, New York.

“She was such a fighter on Survivor: China,” recalled her fellow Survivor: China contestant Peih-Gee Law. “Even though she got sick early on in the game, she still competed with all her heart in the challenges. She brought a really fun energy to camp life.”

14 of 17

Dan Kay

Survivor: Gabon‘s Dan Kay, who exited the game in 11th place, died unexpectedly on Dec. 31, 2016. He was 40.

“He was known for his hard work, dedication, attention to detail and strong work ethic,” read an obituary to the late attorney. “Dan had a smile that could light up a room. His desire to be challenged and his quest for adventure lead to his participation on the reality show, Survivor.”

15 of 17

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 finished in ninth place, was 26.

“Caleb was my everything,” his fiancé Colton Cumbie, with whom he competed alongside on Blood vs. Water, told The Crimson White. “We were the couple that my family would get so mad [at] when we played dominoes because we cheated.”

Probst told PEOPLE at the time: “[Caleb] was one of the most humble and likable contestants we have ever had the pleasure of working with on the show. A true gentleman. He will be missed by so many.”

16 of 17

B.B. Andersen

The second castaway ever voted out in the first season, B.B. Andersen, died at age 77 on Oct. 29, 2013, after a battle with brain cancer.

Probst said in a statement to PEOPLE: “He was a powerful presence on the show and that zest for epic adventure was at the heart of everything he did.”

Added fellow castmate Joel Klug: “He was the man. He enjoyed life. He knew good scotch from bad scotch. He was a mover and shaker type of guy. And he was tough: We were on the equator and it was like 100 degrees. He worked hard to build a shelter. He was an impressive guy, and an influence on me.”

17 of 17

Jennifer Lyon

Survivor: Palau fourth-placer Jennifer Lyon died on Jan. 19, 2010, at her home in Oregon following a battle with breast cancer that began shortly after she wrapped her season. During the reunion for Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, a tribute played in memory of Lyon.

“If I learned anything from Jenn it is this: Don’t be afraid to ask someone how they are truly feeling about dying,” Probst said. “Don’t shy away from the scary parts of death. They need someone to talk to about what is going on inside their head.”

Read the original article on People

NEED TO KNOW

• The Survivor 50 Challenge invites fans to find hidden immunity idols across the United States

• The winners will receive an invitation to the live post-finale reunion, taking place in Los Angeles

• The Survivor 50 Challenge kicks off on Jan. 30

Survivor 50 is “in the hands of the fans.”

The upcoming season of the long-running reality competition series will be a historic one, and viewers at home are invited to participate in the special occasion — without even having to travel to Fiji to do so.

The Survivor 50 Challenge will test fans as they work to solve clues and find immunity idols hidden across the United States.

“Survivor has always been about testing yourself — solving problems, facing the unknown and finding out what you’re made of,” Jeff Probst said in a statement. “For 25 years, fans have watched players take that journey. Now, with the Survivor 50 Challenge, we’re letting fans try it for themselves!”

“This goes way beyond finding idols, it’s a chance to step into the game like never before,” the Survivor host and executive producer continued. “America has watched players outwit, outplay and outlast for decades — now it’s your turn. The hunt is on. Time to dig deep!”

Here’s everything to know about the Survivor 50 Challenge, including how to enter and what the special grand prize will be for those who find an immunity idol.

What is the Survivor 50 Challenge?

The Survivor 50 Challenge is a nationwide treasure hunt where an immunity idol will be hidden in each of the 50 American states.

Survivor fans — longtime and new — will have a chance to participate in the reality competition series as they search for idols right outside their backyards.

According to Paramount, the search will be unique to each state. The idol hunts will prompt players to go on various adventures, including exploring caves in Kentucky, “chasing the glow of ice in New Hampshire” and even “uncovering a nod to Jeff Probst’s roots in Kansas.”

How do I enter the Survivor 50 Challenge?

Fans can sign up by going to the Survivor 50 Challenge website, and entering their email address to receive alerts, challenge details, updates and more.

Potential participants who sign up on the website will also find out when the clue for their state’s idol will be revealed.

When does the Survivor 50 Challenge start?

The Survivor 50 Challenge starts on Jan. 30. Season 50 of Survivor will premiere nearly a month later on Feb. 25.

To celebrate the milestone season, Survivor fans will be getting their hands dirty while searching for idols. But Probst has also called for more fan participation in the future, including in the show’s challenges.

“What I would love to do is be able to create an app where you put all of the elements from all of our challenges into the app, and let fans go in and say, ‘Have you thought of this?’ ” he told Parade in December 2025. “Because I know there are fans right now that would find a new way to create a new challenge. That’s where I’d like Survivor to go.

“I’d like to get more fan involvement about creating the design of the game. Because anybody can do it,” Probst continued. “There’s no secret to it. I’d love to make it more inclusive, and maybe that’s something we can pull off in the future.”

What do the winners of the Survivor 50 Challenge get?

Those who find the hidden idols must submit photographic evidence to the Survivor 50 digital hub to “officially qualify for the grand prize sweepstakes.”

Winners will be selected “from eligible entries in all 50 states” and receive an exclusive invitation for themselves and a guest to attend the season 50 live post-finale reunion.

A lucky extra winner will also be chosen through a digital component on the Survivor 50 Challenge online hub, per Paramount.

In total, 51 fans will attend the special event.

Will Survivor 50 have a live reunion?

Yes, following a fan vote, the live finale will return for Survivor season 50.

Survivor‘s live finales used to be a staple of the series, but the tradition stopped during the pandemic, per Entertainment Weekly.

On Jan. 11, Probst announced the comeback of the live finale in an ad during the 2026 Golden Globes.

When is the Survivor 50 live reunion?

The Survivor 50 live post-finale reunion will happen on May 20 in Los Angeles.

According to Paramount, the special live event will be “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to witness the epic conclusion and be part of this milestone season.”