The 25 greatest 'Survivor' contestants of all time

Now, the eccentric Boneham is not the greatest game player ever to be showcased on Survivor. However, he was an exceptional presence while competing during multiple seasons of the popular show. Boneham made it far in all but one of his outings, and was a true fan favorite on most of his seasons. He competed four times, beginning with Season 7's Survivor: Pearl Islands. From there, Boneham appeared on Survivor: All Stars (Season 8), Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (Season 20), and Season 27's Survivor: Blood vs. Water.

Devens was voted out fourth during Survivor: Edge of Extinction (Season 38). However, he returned at the merge due to the Edge of Extinction twist. Devens was always Public Enemy No. 1 during his time on the show. But, whether finding an idol/advantage, winning immunity or capitalizing on his relationships, Devens made it all the way to the final four, where he lost the fire-making challenge to eventual winner Chris Underwood. Devens earned a lot of screen time during Season 38, and several confessionals per episode. 

The first season winner on our list, Sheehan played a very dominant game during Season 39 Survivor: Island of the Idols. In the season's premier episode, Sheehan said that he would try to get close to all of his tribemates, and really get to know them — in a fashion similar to his job as a teacher — and then capitalize on those relationships to further his game. That is exactly what Sheehan accomplished, as he never won an individual immunity, only had two votes against him, and was brought to the final three instead of winning in fire — marking the first time in Survivor history that happened. Sheehan was rarely an option to be voted out, but never made a big move that left a notable mark on his game. 

A three-time Survivor participant: Season 29's San Juan Del Sur, Season 31's Cambodia, and Edge of Extinction, from Season 38. Wentworth went out pre-merge during her first season, but her second was when she made her mark. Wentworth is best known for her idol play, where she nullified nine votes against herself — a record at the time. She survived several votes all the way to the final four, where she was voted out, since no idols can be played at that tribal council, and she didn’t win immunity. Devens returned once more in Season 38, where she formed solid relationships and was in the majority during the pre-merge, but was taken out as the last returning player at the fifth round of the merge. 

Anderson is a two-time competitor on Survivor: San Juan Del Sur (Season 29) and Winners at War (Season 40). During her first run, Anderson played well in the pre-merge, making good allies. However, her game changed when ally Jeremy was ousted as the second juror. She then plotted against those who went against her, while making sure they thought she was a good ally. At the final five, Anderson played an idol, leading to the blindside of her main opposition. This move allowed her to win the game. In her second go-round, Anderson was voted out first, but returned at the final six, due to the Edge of Extinction. She was decent in her return and finished second. 

One of the most dominant players in the history of the show, Spradlin competed in Survivor: One World (Season 24) and Season 40's Winners at War. A great physical player, Spradlin was also quite trusted en route to winning One World. She was in the majority alliance all season, had only three votes against her and was always the driving force behind a vote. However, things were much different during Winners at War. Unlike One World, where she was the class of the competition, Spradlin was often outshined among her fellow elite in Season 40. She was sort of a non-entity, with no notable accomplishments during that All-Star campaign.

The winner of Season 9 Survivor: Vanuatu, Daugherty was a stud after the merge. His alliance was taken out one by one, leaving only him standing. That's when Chris shined the brightest. He looked for cracks in the women’s alliance, and capitalized on them. He made sure he was never the target by pitting everyone against each other. In fact, the women didn’t realize they were being played until too late. Chris’ win was quite impressive since he completely changed the tides in a situation where he should have been the next to be voted out.

Going all the way back to Season 5 of Survivor: Thailand. Heidik, a used-car salesman, was a natural born leader, and commanded his tribe to several wins. He was also revered for his sort of unnatural gameplay style. Brian played as if he was on a work trip. He never made real relationships, just enough to get people to trust him. Heidik played a very aggressive game, cutting allies when it was good for him, winning plenty of immunities. Even with all of this, Brian wasn’t really targeted, but at the final tribal council, he faced a bitter jury, with tough questions, before prevailing.

A veteran of Season 25 Survivor: Philippines, and then the Winners at War competition from Season 40. One of the top social players of all time, Stapely went to every single tribal council during her first season, but was never in danger on her way to victory. She was able to work her way into others’ alliance very well, making sure she was never the target, turning others on each other. Stapely only received a few votes against her, and won 6-1-1 at the final tribal council. She also played a solid Winners at War, placing sixth.

A three-time competitor. Thomas was part of Survivor: Tocantins (Season 18), then the Heroes vs. Villains (Season 20), and Game Changers (Season 34) competitions. The perfect player, Thomas never received votes against in the main game, and earned every vote to win at the final tribal council in Tocantins. Thomas was incredibly charming, and so revered that some players stated that allowing J.T. to win was just as important as them winning. However, during Heroes vs. Villains, Thomas was too trusting and was out early in the merge. In Game Changers, Thomas leaked information to the other tribe, which had him voted out in the pre-jury lead to quite the fall from grace.

Another perfect player, but Cochran accomplished that feat in winning Season 26's Survivor: Caramoan. During that season, Cochran dominated, and was never a real target. He also gave what many believe to be the best final tribal performance, answering every question perfectly and winning unanimously. During his first run on Survivor: South Pacific, Cochran was at the bottom of his starting tribe. He was viewed as weak and a liability, and barely made it to the merge. Then he flipped on his original tribe and was soon picked off.

Another Winners at War competitor, Kwon first graced the Survivor scene on Season 13 Cook Islands. During his first game, Yul was a dominant strategist. He and his allies overcame a huge numbers disadvantage. He also held onto the most powerful idol, playing it after the votes were read. Yul barely won at the end but definitely deserved his victory, since he ran the game. During his second appearance, Kwon was in a good spot most of the time pre-swap, but just didn’t have the numbers and was the last pre-merger.

Another three-timer, Collins first played during Season 29's Survivor: San Juan Del Sur. He was dominant that time, but blindsided as the second juror due to that fact. When Collins resurfaced for Season 31's Survivor: Cambodia, he was brilliant. He played down his threat level and wasn't targeted until toward the end. He played an idol, though, and won immunity. There is a debate about whether Jeremy played a perfect game or not, since he won unanimously, but he had votes cast against him, then nullified them with an idol. Finally, during Winners at War, Collins had some trouble finding his footing in the beginning, but eventually did and finished eighth.

The winner of Survivor: China, from back in the days of Season 15, Herzog was one of the biggest strategists in the early days of this reality competition. He was definitely a trend-setter in that aspect of the contest. Todd was was incredibly smart and aware. He got close allies, who would always seem like bigger threats than him. He planned several blindsides and masterminded his way to the end. Like others on this list, Herzog also gave one of the best final tribal performances in the history of the show. Following his Survivor appearance, Herzog battled alcoholism.

All of Lacina's Survivor time came from Season 28 Cagayan and beyond. During that first go-around, Lacina was pretty unremarkable in becoming the first juror. But when she came back for Season 34's Game Changers, she played dirtier and made more cunning moves, all to her advantage. Her biggest move was cutting Sierra at the final eight, then getting her legacy advantage and going on to win. In the Winners at War competition, Lacina was solid, making good moves and relationships en route to placing fourth.

We're talking about the OG. The first winner in Survivor history (in Borneo, back all the way in 2000), and one of the most memorable figures in reality television history, Hatch set the tone for the rest of the show's massively long run. He was ahead of his time by using actual strategy, whereas everyone else tried to simply survive. He did what was best for him by convincing others that it was good for them, and no one was the wiser. For many years, people tried to play just like Rich, who also competed in Season 8's All-Stars. 

If Richard Hatch came up with the basic idea of strategy, Rob C. took it to the next level. Cesternino was able to jump back and forth between alliances, and still have good relationships with his fellow competitors. He was cut right at the end of his first effort in Season 6's Survivor: The Amazon. When Cesternino returned for All-Stars, he was cut immediately due to his threat level. Now, he's host of the popular Rob Has a Podcast, where he talks about several different reality shows, including Survivor.

No matter your opinion of the man himself, Hantz could definitely play the game. He was the poster child for Survivor, and twice made the final two — in back-to-back shows of Season 19's Survivor: Samoa and Heroes vs. Villains from Season 20. Hantz found lots of idols, was conniving and bold with all of his moves. The problem, however, was that Russell didn’t care about others, or what they thought of him. This led to many angry jurors and a lack of respect toward him, which is essentially why he lost both finals. Then in his third attempt on Season 22's Survivor: Redemption Island, Hantz was taken out early, due to his threat level. 

Fans of Survivor have seen plenty of Apostol, considering he's appeared in four seasons. Thus, he's pretty experienced. When he debuted in Season 17's Survivor: Tocantins, Apostol went out as an early juror. Then during Heroes vs. Villains, he played himself by switching his vote at the last minute and was a pre-juror. On his third try in Season 27's Blood vs. Water, Apostol finally tasted victory, by surviving a rock draw, during a competition where an eliminated player was allowed to return in an interesting twist. When Apostol came back for Winners at War, he was voted out pre-merge, returned with the twist, then went out again in the early jury. Tyson was great at adapting, especially in his third and fourth games.

Considered the original "challenge beast,"  and another four-time competitor. Lusth competed in Survivor: Cook Islands (Season 13), Micronesia (Season 16), South Pacific (Season 23) and Game Changers (Season 34). Lusth was one vote away from tying, or winning Cook Islands. He didn’t do much in Micronesia, but South Pacific was Ozzy’s game to win. If he made the final tribal council, he would have won in a landslide. Unfortunately, Lusth lost the final-four immunity, and was voted out, unanimously. He returned once more in Season 34, but went out early, thus putting a little damper on his legacy. 

Also known as "Boston Rob," and arguably the most recognizable Survivor player to date, "Boston Rob" is a reality-show legend. In terms of Survivor, Mariano appeared six times — Survivor: Marquesas (Season 4), All-Stars (Season 8), Heroes vs. Villains (Season 20), Redemption Island (Season 22), then as a twist in Season 39's Island of the Idols, and, finally, Winners at War. During his first go-round, "Boston Rob" was solid. He was the driving force in All-Stars, but was too careless, and left the jury bitter, thus giving soon-to-be-wife Amber the win. Following a pedestrian effort in Heroes vs. Villains, the charismatic Mariano returned for Redemption Island, and completely led his tribe, while possibly playing the most dominant Survivor game ever to earn the victory. Does he still have that Red Sox cap?

Often regarded as the best to never win, Cirie played a great game in nearly all of her four attempts — Season 12's Survivor: Panama, Season 16's Micronesia, Season 20's Heroes vs. Villains and Season 34's Game Changers. During her Survivor debut, Fields finished fourth, two rounds after she masterminded the brilliant 3-2-1 plurality vote. She was third in Season 15, due to a twist that made it a final three, and was a part of the "Black Widow Brigade" alliance. Her worst showing came in Heroes vs. Villains, where she went out pre-merge. Finally, with Game Changers, Fields was positioned to win, but went out in a historic tribal council, where everyone else played an idol, meaning only she could be voted out. A master conniver, Fields also competed on Big Brother 25.

Another four-timer, Shallow has a legitimate place in our Top 3. During her first run, in Season 13's Cook Islands, she placed sixth, as being the biggest threat left, but did create a majority alliance. In her winning season on Micronesia, Shallow blindsided the aforementioned Ozzy in spectacular fashion, and formed the all-women "Black Widow Brigade" alliance. She was so close to becoming the first two-time winner via Heroes vs. Villains, but lost at the final three, due to her relationship with the previously highlighted Russell. Finally, in Winners at War, Shallow was taken out in the pre-jury due to her threat level. Praised for the way she ran strategic circles around others in the early days of her tenure, Shallow remains one of Survivor's most popular players. 

"The Queen of Survivor." The first two-time winner of the show, taking home the honors in Season 7's Pearl Islands, and then Heroes vs. Villains down the road in Season 20. On Pearl Islands, Diaz-Twine used her good social awareness and strategic prowess, which also helped lead the way to victory in Heroes vs. Villains. Everyone was a threat one way or another during that round, so being able to keep the target off of her back was quite impressive. Diaz-Twine also competed in Game Changers, was part of the twist with "Boston Rob" in Season 39's Island of Idols, and part of Winners at War.

Tough call, but Vlachos takes our top spot. The show's only other two-time winner (Season 28's Cagayan and Winners at War). Now, winning a season that featured nothing but winners might not be as impressive as what Sandra Diaz-Twine achieved during her tenure, but it was still a huge accomplishment. Vlachos encompassed all Survivor is about. He got into arguments, ran around looking for idols, backstabbed people, and was a constant liar. That all helped him win Cagayan, but Tony was truly at his best during Winners at War. Vlachos knew he was a major threat, but toned down his gameplay, and focused more on relationships during the day, while looking for idols later. He did not receive a single vote all game during Winners at War, and after a solid final tribal performance, won in a vote of 12-4-0. He also created the spy shack (on the ground and in a tree) — hiding in the jungle and eavesdropping on conversations. Vlachos also appeared on Season 34's Game Changers.