Survivor has consistently been a staple in American pop culture for well over two decades now. In that time span, countless players have come and gone from our television screens. Each has had a unique personality, backstory, life experience, and approach to the game. In doing so, they have connected with, engaged, or inspired the fan base in personal and relatable ways.
Not all of the players make an impact that fans love. Sometimes, players draw the ire of fans. Sometimes they get lost in the shuffle. But many times over the years, players have really made themselves into heroes, not only for what they do or where they come from outside of the game, but for how they hold themselves in the game as well.
So, who were the best heroes in the series, and how does one even determine who the "best" hero is? For the sake of argument, I am judging the players on a variety of factors, including: fan reactions, impact on the season or seasons they played, and consistency within their "heroic gameplay". The off-island background of a player does not play a direct role, although it may be indirectly connected through fan reactions to the player.
1. Rupert Boneham
Rupert Boneham was not officially the first ever hero the game saw, but he quickly became the most popular and clearly defined.
He first played on Pearl Islands and quickly became a lovable teddy bear type archetype to players and fans. His backstory endeared fans to him, and his job working with kids and trying to end bullying was inspirational.
In game, he played with care for others, with honesty and integrity, and wearing his heart on his sleeve. He also made a clear impact on each season he appeared on. There is no question that Rupert is one of the greatest heroes of the game.
2. Tom Westman
Tom Westman made his impact on Survivor: Palau, an impact that has spanned almost 40 seasons. As a firefighter, he is typically seen as a hero off the island, but his gameplay and personality further solidified that.
It was pretty obvious from the beginning that Tom was going to win the season, but his honesty, leadership, and care towards others made him engrossing and compelling anyway. He was well-rounded in all facets of the game, and ultimately became an immediate fan favorite hero that remains mentioned among the clear heroes of the game.
3. Zeke Smith
Zeke Smith is a very interesting case on this list. Zeke played twice, first in Millennials vs. Gen X and again in Game Changers. Zeke was a memorable player with a big personality in his first season, but it was Game Changers that made him a hero.
While his strategy in the game involved some lying and deception, that was not a factor in his being a hero. Rather, when Jeff Varner outed him as a transgender individual, the way he handled the situation with grace, strength, and positivity, and used the moment to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, has fully cemented his class, heroism, and legacy.
4. Carolyn Wiger
Carolyn Wiger is a hero because of how she approached life both on and off the island in season 44. Carolyn is unapologetically herself.
She leaves her heart on her sleeve and is not afraid to show every element of her feelings and emotions. She is okay being different, and her style has made her a massive fan favorite and an inspiration for viewers watching the show, something that continued in her appearance on The Traitors. She found herself in swing spots constantly and followed her heart, gut, and feelings throughout.
Carolyn is a true modern era hero among droves of strategists.
5. Joe Hunter
Joe Hunter is about as close to a textbook hero as you can get in the modern era.
On Survivor 48, Joe played a massive role in the trajectory of the merge, and specifically the focus on honesty, truth, and integrity. Beyond gameplay, though, he was and is genuinely one of the nicest, most caring, most supportive players ever on Survivor, and his incredible support and caring towards fellow contestant Eva Erickson was no doubt one of the most emotional moments of the show.
Add in his openness about the heartbreaking tragedy of his sister's death, and it is impossible not to love Joe as a hero.