These Survivor Players Refused To Return

Throughout Survivor’s history, Jeff Probst’s beloved reality show has regularly allowed some players to return even though they were almost banned. In fact, even new fans who are figuring out which seasons to watch first will quickly learn that some of the best seasons have all returning players. Even some former Survivor winners and people who were medically evacuated from the show were later allowed to play the game again.

Considering that people who suffered serious injuries often want to return to Survivor, it seems like the show’s producers can get anyone back. On top of that, it is worth noting that Survivor’s best players have all played the game many times. However, as it turns out, some Survivor players have refused to return for later seasons.

Earl Cole Turned Down Survivor Returns Four Times

Played During Survivor: Fiji

Easily one of Survivor’s most underrated players ever, Earl Cole proved himself to be a strategic mastermind and extremely charismatic. As a result, it is very sad that Earl has only played once, when he won Survivor: Fiji. A February 2020 E! Online article quoted Earl revealing that he turned down the chance to return to Survivor four times.

Lex Van Den Berghe Turned Down Survivor: Blood Vs. Water

Played During Survivor: Africa And Survivor: All-Stars

After teaming up with Ethan Zohn and Tom Buchanan during Survivor: Africa, Lex van den Berghe came in third place. Lex later returned for Survivor: All-Stars and was memorably betrayed by “Boston” Rob Mariano after he protected Amber Brkich Mariano. According to an interview that has since been taken down, Lex turned down Survivor: Blood vs. Water after being asked to play with his son.

Taj Johnson-George Turned Down Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains

Played During Survivor: Tocantins

After teaming up with J.T. Thomas and Stephen Fishbach, Taj Johnson-George played a huge role in their success during Survivor: Tocantins. Incredibly lovable on the show, it always seemed shocking Taj never returned. However, it turns out that Taj decided not to play Survivor a second time. During a June 2022 appearance on the “Rob Has a Podcast” show ‘Talking with T-Bird,” Taj revealed she turned down Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains and at least one more season.

Related

Survivor’s Jeff Probst Revealed The Surprising Truth About How His Kids Feel About The Show

During an interview, Jeff Probst revealed the truth about how his kids feel about the show he has dedicated his career to for decades.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck Turned Down Survivor: All-Stars

Played During Survivor: The Australian Outback

Before she got married, Elisabeth Hasselbeck was a fan favorite player during Survivor: The Australian Outback. A January 2004 Zap2It article quoted Survivor’s executive producer Mark Burnett explaining that Elizabeth turned a Survivor return down so she could audition to co-host The View. Mark commented that Elizabeth made the right choice since she co-hosted The View for years.

Colleen Haskell Turned Down Survivor: All-Stars

Played During Survivor: Borneo

During Survivor: Boreno, Colleen Haskell became so popular with viewers that she was cast in the Rob Schneider movie The Animal. After becoming America’s Sweetheart, Colleen was asked to join the cast of Survivor: All-Stars. The same Zap2It article quoted Mark Burnett stating Colleen decided she was done with Survivor.

Greg Buis Refused To Return For Survivor: Cambodia—Second Chance

Played During Survivor: Borneo

During Survivor: Borneo, Greg Buis and Colleen Haskell were the most popular stars of the season by far. Memorable for his sense of humor and use of hs so-called coconut phone, the world wanted more of Greg. While talking to Entertainment Weekly in August 2015, Jeff revealed that Greg turned down a Survivor return because of his career.

“[He] spoke on the coconut phone. And he wanted to do it, but he’d just been given this really great opportunity as the CEO of a nonprofit and he said, ‘I just can’t. I can’t take the job and leave.’”

Jeff Kent Turned Down Survivor: Cambodia—Second Chance

Played During Survivor: Philippines

During Survivor: Philippines, Jeff Kent wasn’t that successful, and he didn’t make that big of a mark on the season. However, Jeff Kent is a MLB legend and Jeff Probst has a history of welcoming sports stars on Survivor. As a result, it isn’t too shocking that during the same August 2015 Entertainment Weekly interview, Jeff Probst revealed Jeff Kent also turned down Survivor: Cambodia—Second Chance.

“Jeff Kent was a guy that … he didn’t say no, but we said, ‘Look, we have to cut the list down. Are you in or are you out?’ And he said, ‘You know, call me another time.’ So he was wishy-washy.”

RC Saint-Amour Also Turned Down Survivor: Cambodia—Second Chance

Played During Survivor: Philippines

Just like Jeff Kent, RC Saint-Amour played during Survivor: Philippines and then turned down Survivor: Cambodia—Second Chance. However, RC’s situation was different since she’d previously agreed to return for Survivor: Blood vs. Water and she even flew out to play. However, her dad was medically disqualified before the game began. During the same August 2015 Entertainment Weekly interview, Jeff told the outlet why RC rejected the second chance to play again.

““RC, we wanted, and she didn’t want to play. And I understood. You know, RC came out to play Blood vs. Water and her dad got sick [so they had to pull out before filming] and I’ve heard enough Survivors tell me that the emotional journey is so strenuous that she just thought, ‘You’re going to put Abi on the list too and I don’t want to see her. Let’s just forget it.’”

Related

Survivor’s Jeff Probst Thanked Mike White For This Crucial Change To The Show

Survivor’s Jeff Probst credited the former player and The White Lotus’ creator Mike White with changing the show in a specific way.

Sandra Diaz-Twine Couldn’t Accept The Chance To Play Survivor: All-Stars

Played Survivor Five Times

Widely regarded as one of Survivor’s best players ever, Sandra Diaz-Twine has even won the game twice. However, it turns out that Sandra turned down her first chance to return, when she rejected Survivor: All-Stars. However, in February 2004, Sandra told CBS News that she was too sick to return and that she didn’t want to be away from her family so soon.

“I received a phone call if I was interested. You know, that I still had to go through a screening process again. At the time, I was sick. I was losing my hair. I had gotten parasites. I wasn’t sure whether it was from the water or maybe not cooking the fish thoroughly. And there were other factors as well: my children. And so I just had to take a step back. Although I hadn’t won at the time, because it hadn’t been shown on TV, the finale. At the same time, I said, ‘You know what, I’ll take the $100,000 and that’s it – maybe in the future.'”

Matt Elrod Refused Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites

Played During Survivor: Redemption Island

During Survivor: Redemption Island, Matt Elrod was shown to be an honorable player who was betrayed and voted out by “Boston” Rob Mariano twice. In February 2013, Jeff told Entertainment Weekly that Matt had no interest in playing Survivor again.

Shambo Waters Refused Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites

Played During Survivor: Samoa

One of those Survivor players who are known for their distinctive personality, Shambo Waters was a remarkable person who never had a chance to win. During that same February 2013 Entertainment Weekly interview, Jeff Probst also said that Shambo was done with Survivor after playing it once.

John Cochran Rejected Survivor: Winners at War

Played During Survivor: South Pacific And Survivor: Caramoan

In the past, Jeff Probst has called John Cochran his favorite winner ever. With that in mind, it was surprising that Cochran wasn’t part of Survivor: Winners at War. With that in mind, it makes sense that Jeff Probst told Entertainment Weekly in January 2020 that Cochran rejected Survivor: Winners at War.

“I would say Cochran is the only one that would have been on the list [where] if he had said yes would probably have a spot on the show.”

Related

Exclusive: Survivor’s Gervase Peterson On How Underrated His Decision Not To Switch With His Niece Marissa Peterson Was

Survivor’s Gervase Peterson exclusively spoke to TheThings about his decision not to switch with his niece Marissa Peterson, which led to her exit.

Corinne Kaplan Turned Down Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains

Played During Survivor: Gabon And Survivor: Caramoan

Easily one of the most villainous Survivor players ever, Corinne Kaplan has never been shy about being brutal. As a result, it makes sense that there is some belief that Corinne almost returned for Survivor: Game Changers. More notably, Corinne told Entertainment Weekly in January 2013 that she couldn’t play during Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains because of her job.

“I got lucky enough to be asked back for Heroes vs Villains and unfortunately my job would not permit me to go. And while a lot of these people are career reality people, I am most certainly not. My importance lies with my job and my 401k, and my insurance.”

Ian Rosenberger Turned Down Survivor: Cambodia—Second Chance

Played During Survivor: Palau

Easily one of the nicest Survivor players ever, Ian Rosenberger even knowingly gave up his chance to win to prove his loyalty. Since he was so likable, it seemed like a no-brainer that Ian would return. However, Jeff Probst revealed that Ian rejected Survivor: Cambodia—Second Chance as a part of an X/Twitter post on May 19th, 2015.

Benjamin “Coach” Wade Rejected Survivor: Edge Of Extinction

Played Survivor 3 Times

A member of the Survivor Hall of Fame, Benjamin “Coach” Wade is a three-time player who is incredibly memorable. In February 2019, Coach appeared on an episode of “Rob Has a Podcast.” During that podcast episode, Coach revealed that he turned down Survivor: Edge of Extinction because he didn’t want to play with newbies.

Survivor

Release Date

May 31, 2000

Network

CBS

Showrunner

Jeff Probst

Directors

Jeff Probst

Writers

Jeff Probst

•