Beloved Survivor Player Rudy Boesch Passes Away
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Originally reported by TMZ, the oldest contestant in the history of Survivor, Rudy Boesch, has passed away due to complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. He was ninety-one years old.
A former Navy Seal, Boesch served in the US Navy for forty-five years, including during the Vietnam War, before his retirement in 1990. In that time period, he was among the first group of officers on SEAL Team Two. He also received the Bronze Star and the Defense Superior Service Medal for his heroic actions.
Rudy’s Time on Survivor
Later, he was a cast member on the first season of Survivor, Borneo, as a member of the Tagi tribe. Also, Boesch has the distinction of being apart of the first-ever alliance on the show, along with Sue Hawk, Kelly Wiglesworth, and eventual winner Richard Hatch. Rudy ended up placing third after Wiglesworth chose to go to the end with Hatch. He ended up voting for Hatch, who would go on to win the season.
Boesch would later return on Survivor: All Stars, as a member of the Saboga tribe. Currently, his appearance on All Stars makes him the oldest player to ever play the game, at the age of 75. Unfortunately, he didn’t go to far that season, ultimately being the second player voted out.
Outside of his military service and his Survivor appearances, Boesch hosted the USA reality show Combat Missions in 2002. He appeared on the reunion episode of Survivor: Caramoan. Later, he was inducted into XFinity’s “Survivor Hall of Fame” in 2015, along with Jerri Manthey and Benjamin “Coach” Wade.
Boesch is survived by his three daughters, with whom he shared his third-place prize from Borneo with. Rest In Peace, Rudy, you will be missed!