Jeff Probst

Jeff Probst has been married to Lisa Ann Russell since December 5, 2011. They met at a Christmas party hosted by Survivor creator and producer Mark Burnett and married in a private backyard ceremony in Los Angeles. Probst was previously married to psychotherapist Shelley Wright from 1996 to 2001, and he dated former Survivor contestant Julie Berry from 2004 to 2008.

Probst is the stepfather of Russell's children, Michael and Ava, from her former marriage to actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar. Probst has described himself, Russell, Gosselaar and Gosselaar's wife Catriona McGinn as a four-parent family for the children. Probst changed Survivor's family visiting policy after becoming an executive producer, citing the importance of allowing crew members with children to spend time with them.

Probst has hosted the American version of Survivor since its inception in 2000 and also serves as an executive producer. He worked to secure a meeting with creator Mark Burnett because he believed the program was special. Burnett selected Probst as host, while Phil Keoghan went on to host another CBS reality competition series, The Amazing Race.

As host, Probst oversees challenges, Tribal Councils and major twists in the game. He acts as a challenge referee, comments on contestants' performances and can pause or disqualify a challenge when injuries or foul play occur. He became an executive producer by Survivor: Nicaragua, taking a more active role in production as Burnett pursued other television projects.

Probst is closely associated with the elimination phrase, "The tribe has spoken. It's time for you to go." He has won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program four times, in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Before Survivor, Probst hosted VH1's Rock & Roll Jeopardy! from 1998 to 2001, presented FX programs including Backchat and Sound FX, and worked as a correspondent for Access Hollywood. He also appeared twice as a contestant on Celebrity Jeopardy! and made guest appearances on programs including Mad TV, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Life in Pieces, Family Guy and Saturday Night Live.

Probst hosted the syndicated daytime program The Jeff Probst Show from 2012 to 2013. He also hosted the recurring Adult Swim special The Greatest Event in Television History, which featured remakes of 1980s television title sequences.

As a filmmaker, Probst wrote and directed Finder's Fee in 2001. The film starred Ryan Reynolds, James Earl Jones, Robert Forster and Matthew Lillard, premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival, and won awards for Best Picture and Best Director. Probst later directed and produced the 2014 film Kiss Me.

Probst co-wrote the children's adventure series Stranded with Christopher Tebbetts. The series follows Vanessa, Buzz, Carter and Jane after they are shipwrecked in the South Pacific and must work together to survive. Its books include Stranded, Trial by Fire, Survivor, Forbidden Passage, The Sabotage and Desperate Measures.

In 2007, Probst founded The Serpentine Project, a nonprofit intended to support young adults transitioning out of foster care. The organization later joined forces with the Alliance for Children's Rights, and Survivor memorabilia auctions have supported the project.

Probst was ordained as a minister by the Universal Life Church in 1999. He has officiated at the weddings of several friends, including the wedding of Jenna Fischer.

He keeps the torch snuffer used at each Survivor elimination as a personal souvenir. Other Survivor memorabilia has been auctioned for charity through The Serpentine Project.