Jeff Probst facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jeff Probst
Probst in 2016
Born	Jeffrey Lee Probst (1961-11-04) November 4, 1961 (age 63) Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Occupation	Television presenter television producer author
Years active	1996–present
Spouse(s)	Shelley Wright ​ ​ (m. 1996; div. 2001)​ Lisa Ann Russell ​ (m. 2011)​

Jeffrey Lee Probst, born on November 4, 1961, is a well-known American TV host, producer, and writer. He is most famous for hosting the reality TV show Survivor since the year 2000. He has won several Emmy Awards for his work on Survivor. He also hosted his own daytime talk show, The Jeff Probst Show, from 2012 to 2013.

Early Life and Education

Jeff Probst was born in Wichita, Kansas. He is the oldest of three sons. When he was 15, his family moved to Bellevue, Washington.

After finishing high school at Newport High School in 1979, Jeff went to Seattle Pacific University. However, he left college early to start his career in television. He began working at Boeing's film and TV studio. There, he produced and narrated videos for marketing and training.

Jeff Probst's TV Career

Jeff Probst in 2008

Jeff Probst has had a long and interesting career in television. Before Survivor, he hosted other shows like Backchat on FX and Sound FX. He also hosted Rock & Roll Jeopardy! from 1998 to 2001. For a time, he was a reporter for the TV show Access Hollywood.

Hosting Survivor

Jeff Probst is best known as the host of Survivor. This popular reality show started in 2000, and he has hosted every season since then. He worked hard to meet the show's creator, Mark Burnett, because he felt Survivor was going to be "something special."

Mark Burnett was impressed by Jeff's ability to get honest answers from people. He thought Jeff's fresh face would help build the show from the ground up. Jeff has won four Emmy Awards for being an outstanding host of Survivor.

He is famous for his catchphrase on the show: "The tribe has spoken. It's time for you to go." This line is said to contestants when they are voted off the island. It was even named one of the "100 Greatest TV Quotes and Catch Phrases" in 2006.

Other TV Appearances

Jeff Probst has made many other TV appearances. He has been a guest on Jeopardy! several times, giving Survivor-related clues. He also appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy! in 2001 and 2003.

In 2011, he played himself on the TV show How I Met Your Mother. He also appeared as himself on Two and a Half Men in 2013 and 2014. In 2016, he was on Life in Pieces. More recently, in October 2022, he appeared on Saturday Night Live in a sketch.

Writing and Directing

Besides hosting, Jeff Probst is also a writer and director. He wrote and directed a film called Finder's Fee, which was released in 2001.

In 2012, he directed his second movie, a coming-of-age story called Kiss Me.

Stranded Book Series

In February 2013, Jeff Probst started a book series for middle school students called Stranded. He wrote these adventure books with Christopher Tebbetts. The first book in the series is about four kids – Vanessa, Buzz, Carter, and Jane. They get shipwrecked on a deserted island in the South Pacific during a storm. They have to learn to work together to survive and find a way off the island. Stranded is the first of three books in the series.

Personal Life

Jeff Probst with his wife Lisa Ann Russell

Jeff Probst was married to Shelley Wright from 1996 to 2001.

He married his second wife, Lisa Ann Russell, on December 5, 2011. Through this marriage, Jeff became a stepfather to Lisa's two children, Michael (born 2004) and Ava (born 2006). He has shared that he and his wife work together with the children's biological father and his wife to raise the kids. They all consider themselves parents to the children.

Jeff Probst keeps a special souvenir from every season of Survivor. He collects the snuffer he uses to put out the torches when a contestant is voted out of the game. He has also performed wedding ceremonies for some of his friends as an ordained minister.

Awards and Recognition

Jeff Probst at the 2009 Emmy's

Jeff Probst has won many awards for his hosting. On September 21, 2008, he won the very first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program. He won this same award again in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Many people believe he wins these awards because he connects with the contestants on a personal level. He is seen as more than just a host; he often acts like a counselor, showing compassion to the players. In 2001, People magazine also named him one of the "50 Most Beautiful People."

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Jeff Probst para niños