Jeff Probst
Jeff Probst | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jeffrey Lee Probst November 4, 1962 |
| Occupation(s) | Television presenter, game show host, executive producer, reporter |
| Years active | 1996–present |
Jeffrey Lee "Jeff" Probst (born November 4, 1962)[1] is an American game show host, executive producer and a reporter. He is best known as the host of the U.S. version of the reality show Survivor.
Biography
Probst was born in Wichita, Kansas, but grew up primarily in Bellevue, Washington. After graduating from Newport High School in 1979, he attended Seattle Pacific University and worked at Boeing Motion Picture/Television studio as a producer and narrator of marketing videos.
Career
In addition to Survivor, Probst previously hosted the FX network's original half-hour show dedicated to answering viewer letters, Backchat, along with Sound FX, a series of afternoon shows surrounding parenting, relationship and medicine (1996). Probst also hosted the VH1 series Rock & Roll Jeopardy! from 1998 to 2001, and was a correspondent for the syndicated program Access Hollywood. He also wrote and directed the Lionsgate released film, Finder's Fee. People magazine named Probst one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2001. He often contributes to Jeopardy! by giving Survivor related clues from the show's venues, has twice appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy!, first in 2001 and again in 2003, and made several cameo appearances during the April 1, 2010 episode.
He was also a frequent guest star on the sketch show MADtv, guest starring once a season since the show's 9th season.
Probst also hosts "Celebrity Superfan Roundtable" for Howard Stern.
He has hosted Survivor since 2000. He later stated that he had worked hard to get a meeting with series creator Mark Burnett, because he believed the show was "something special." He delivers the series' signature catch-phrase to losing contestants, "The tribe has spoken. It's time for you to go."
In 2007, Probst founded The Serpentine Project [1], a non-profit that empowers youth transitioning out of foster care to reach for their dreams by opening the door to possibilities. The organization recently merged with The Alliance For Children's Rights.
On October 20, 2008, TV Guide reported that Probst is developing a new reality TV series for CBS called Live For The Moment [2] that will feature people with terminal illnesses being taken on "the last adventure of their life" before they die.[3]
On April 1, 2009, Probst appeared on the CBS reality television special I Get That a Lot, in which he worked a cash register. In February 2010, Probst confirmed that he has signed on to host two more seasons of Survivor, putting him through season 22.[4] It was then announced on March 9, 2011 that Probst had extended his contract to host another two seasons of Survivor, contracting him through season 24.[5]
Personal life
Probst was ordained as a minister by the Universal Life Church in 1999. He remarried his parents for their 35th wedding anniversary.[6]
He also officiated at the marriage of Jenna Fischer, star of "The Office."
Probst keeps the snuffer that he uses to snuff the torches when a contestant is voted out of the game as a souvenir after every season of Survivor.[7]
Awards/Nominations
On September 21, 2008 Probst won the first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program.[8] He also won the same award in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
References
- ^ Jeff Probst at IMDb
- ^ Adalian, Josef (2009-12-18). "www.thewrap.com December 18, 2009". Thewrap.com. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- ^ Jeff Probst Hopes to "Inspire" with New Reality Series" TV Guide. October 20, 2008. Retrieved on October 24, 2008.
- ^ "Jeff Probst Signs on for Two More Seasons of Survivor". TVGuide.com.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (2011-03-09). "CBS orders two more editions of 'Survivor'". Insidetv.ew.com. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- ^ USA WEEKEND Magazine[dead link]
- ^ Keck, Will (April 27, 2008). "Celeb Watch: 'Survivor' host Jeff Probst will survive -- and thrive; see video". USA Today. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
- ^ 'Mad Men,' '30 Rock' take top Emmy awards[dead link]
