‘Survivor’s’ biggest villains in show history

They outwitted, outplayed and outlasted … but they didn’t win any popularity contests. 

“Survivor” is back for its 45th season. Now airing on CBS (Wednesdays at 8 p.m.), and also streaming on Paramount+, the long-running reality show hosted by Jeff Probst sees yet another group of castaways competing in Fiji. 

In honor of the show’s return, here’s a look back at some of its more infamous villains. 

Russell Hantz

Hantz, 50, is one of the most infamous “Survivor” villains, who became known for his talent at lying, manipulating and generally being ruthless.

He was the runner-up on “Survivor: Samoa” in 2009, finished in third place on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” in 2010, and he was eliminated second on “Survivor: Redemption Island” in 2011 and on “Australian Survivor: Champions vs. Contenders” in 2018.

He was able to locate many Hidden Immunity Idols even though he didn’t have clues to help. He also kept it in the family, since his nephew, Brandon Hanz, was on “Survivor: South Pacific” and “Survivor: Caramoan.”

“I just re-watched Heroes vs. Villains and I really was reminded of how impressed I was by his absolute relentless pursuit of any and everything,” host Jeff Probst said about Hantz in a 2020 Instagram video. 

Jesse Lopez 

Jesse Lopez, 31, who allied with fellow castaway Cody Assenmacher in Season 43, shocked everyone when he brutally backstabbed Assenmacher.

The political science Ph.D. student stole his supposed “friend’s” Immunity Idol before voting him off the island.

“Jesse’s blindside of Cody was one of the most powerful ‘Survivor’ moves of all time because it was so personal,” Probst told TV Line in 2022. 

Colton Cumbie 

Colton Cumbie earned the dubious honor of being one of “Survivor’s” most hated contestants.

The Alabama born 32-year-old, who competed on “One World” in 2012 and “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” in 2013, used racially charged insults and backstabbed his fellow contestants.

He memorably left the show in a medical evacuation – a first for the show – because he had “appendicitis,” which Probst speculated was “feigned,” at the time. Fellow contestant Aras Baskauskas called him “poison.” 

Abi-Maria Gomes 

Gomes, 43, was a contestant on “Survivor: Philippines” in 2011 and “Survivor: Cambodia” in 2015.

She irritated everyone around her. “She is unbelievably rude to people in a way that is unnecessary, seems to be very narcissistic,” one fan slammed her on Reddit.

In a 2012 interview, she told People that during her time on the show, “Demon Abi came out.” She also said, “I realize how passive aggressive I can be. That’s not a good thing. I’m abrasive in my approach.”

Jeff Varner 

Varner, 57, competed on “Survivor: The Australian Outback” in 2001, “Survivor: Cambodia” in 2015 and “Survivor: Game Changers” in 2017.

In one of the show’s most famous controversies, Varner outed fellow contestant Zeke Smith as transgender on national television on “Game Changers.” Probst condemned him harshly, telling EW, “I have rarely, if ever, personally commented on what is said or done in the game.

But this is a unique situation that falls outside the normal boundaries.

I cannot imagine anyone thinking what was done to Zeke was ok on any level, under any circumstances…You just don’t do that to someone. It was one of the most surreal moments I’ve ever encountered on the show.”

Jonny Fairplay

The former pro wrestler, 49, competed on “Survivor: Pearl Islands” in 2003 and “Survivor: Micronesia” in 2008.

There, he told an infamous and wild lie: to generate sympathy, he had a friend “inform” him that his grandmother had died. This turned out to be false.

In a 2005 interview, Probst told EW that Fairplay is “Completely despicable.”

He went on to call Fairplay a “producer’s dream,” because, “When he shows up drunk or flips somebody off, he’s bringing you gold every time. I wish we had a Jonny Fairplay every season. Personally, however, he’s an absolute jackass.”

Richard Hatch 

Hatch, 62, was the first “Survivor” winner of the long-running show’s debut season in 2000. He also competed in “All-Stars” in 2004.

He became known for his antics, such as frequent nudity.

While audiences who weren’t yet used to the game might have expected the best player to win, Hatch became largely credited for the level of manipulation and underhanded skulduggery that became a “Survivor” staple. 

Tony Vlachos 

Vlachos, 50, competed on “Survivor: Cagayan” in 2014 and “Survivor: Game Changers” in 2017.

Then a New Jersey police officer, he memorably lied about his job and pretended that he was a construction worker.

He got slammed for swearing “on his badge” and on his family, and then lying. “I want to clear up the whole thing about swearing on my badge.

I got a lot of backlash about that. I can distinguish the game from real life. Every day, I put on my badge and literally risk my life. That’s how I honor my badge; not on ‘Survivor,’” he told People in 2014.