Gervase Peterson facts for kids

Gervase Peterson (born November 2, 1969, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American television personality and actor. He became well-known as a contestant on Survivor: Borneo. This was the very first season of the popular CBS reality television show Survivor. It first aired in May 2000 and was a huge hit that summer.

Gervase finished in seventh place during his first time on Survivor. He later returned to the show in 2013 for Survivor: Blood vs. Water. In this season, he made it all the way to the finals, finishing in third place.

Gervase Peterson on Survivor

His First Season: Survivor: Borneo

During the first Survivor season, Survivor: Borneo, Gervase had a unique strategy. He tried to save his energy by only working when it was absolutely necessary. This helped him stay strong for the individual challenges that came later in the game. Some people thought he seemed lazy, but Gervase said it was all part of his plan.

Gervase was a member of the Pagong tribe. He was one of the first Survivor contestants who had to eat cooked rat to survive! In one episode, he made a comment that was misunderstood. His teammate, Joel Klug, laughed so hard that the comment was thought to be Joel's. Because of this, the women in the Pagong tribe voted Joel off next.

Later, the two tribes merged into one, called Rattana. Gervase and the other Pagong members didn't realize that some former Tagi members had formed a secret alliance. This alliance included Richard Hatch, Kelly Wiglesworth, Rudy Boesch, and Susan Hawk. The Pagong group was outnumbered and outsmarted. The Tagi alliance, along with another former Tagi member, Sean Kenniff, voted Gervase off the show.

At the very end of the season, Gervase voted for Kelly Wiglesworth to win. However, Richard Hatch won the title of Sole Survivor.

During the excitement of Survivor: Borneo, there was a rumor that someone had found out who the winner was. A hacker claimed to have seen a photo on the CBS Survivor website. It supposedly showed an "X" over everyone's picture except Gervase's. This made many people think Gervase was the winner. But a few episodes later, he was voted off. CBS later said that this "mistake" was done on purpose to keep the real winner a secret.

Returning to Survivor: Blood vs. Water

Gervase came back to Survivor for its 27th season, Survivor: Blood vs. Water. This season was special because contestants played with a loved one. Gervase played with his niece, Marissa. Gervase joined the Galang tribe, which had experienced players. Marissa joined the Tadhana tribe, made up of the loved ones.

After the Galang tribe won their first challenge, Gervase celebrated a lot. The Tadhana tribe decided to get back at him by voting Marissa off. Marissa then had to compete in a challenge on Redemption Island. She was defeated by Candice and John Cody, a husband-and-wife team. Marissa finished in 17th place.

Later in the season, Gervase switched to the Tadhana tribe after a tribe swap. He eventually made it to the merged tribe, Kasama. Throughout the season, Gervase was a close ally to the alliance leader, Tyson Apostol. In one of the last Tribal Councils, Tyson gave his hidden immunity idol to Gervase. Gervase used it to cancel out the votes against him.

Gervase made it to the Final Three, along with Tyson Apostol and Monica Culpepper. However, Gervase did not receive any votes from the jury. Tyson Apostol won the game with most of the jury votes.

Gervase Peterson's Career After Survivor

Acting and Modeling Roles

Like many people who become famous on Survivor, Gervase tried acting. His most well-known acting role was in 2001 on the CBS daytime show As the World Turns. He played Leo Thompson, a father who was often away. He also appeared on other TV shows like Son of the Beach, The Hughleys, and Nash Bridges.

Gervase also had main roles in independent movies. He appeared in White Men Can't Rap and L-O-V-E. He also made a quick appearance in The Scorned, which featured many reality TV stars.

Gervase was also on the Bravo show Battle of the Network Reality Stars. This show had famous reality TV personalities compete against each other. It was similar to an old show from the 1970s and 1980s called Battle of the Network Stars. Gervase was first the captain of Team Light Blue. But because of the rules, he was chosen to join Team Red.

Except for his time on Survivor, Gervase is always seen with a shaved head. He has been a celebrity representative for HeadBlade, a special razor for shaving heads. He has also modeled clothes for Southpole.

Sports Ventures

In 2006, Gervase became a co-owner of the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs. This was a basketball team in the United States Basketball League. However, the team stopped playing later that year because of money problems.

In 2009, Gervase took part in a celebrity boxing match. He fought as a light heavyweight and won against Travis Knight.

Gervase Peterson's Filmography

Film Appearances

Television Appearances

Gervase Peterson's Personal Life

Gervase Peterson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Willingboro Township, New Jersey, and went to Holy Cross Academy. Today, he lives in Cinnaminson, a suburb of Philadelphia. Gervase is also a co-owner of Burnz Cigar Vault & Lounge in Lawnside, New Jersey.