Survivor has had 40 whole seasons of memorable, unique, and lovable castaways, but die-hard fans of the show know that not all of them play the 'nice guy' card. However, some of them do, and some of these players have become huge heroes - for their leadership, challenge prowess, strategy, and alliances.
These castaways knew they'd catch more flies with honey, but they're also just the perfect role models for this hit series. The good guy doesn't always finish first, but they certainly don't always finish last either. Here are 10 heroes that deserve a place in Survivor history, ranked.
10 Amanda Kimmel
Amanda Kimmel has hit the island three times and is one of the few members on this list that hasn't taken the title of Sole Survivor. However, she made it to final three TWICE and made it to day 30 in Heroes vs. Villains.
Of course, Amanda was a hero that season, and she has been from her first day on the island. She's kind and strategic and relies a lot on her alliances. Her heroic heart is definitely what cost her the win on her first season.
9 Malcolm Freberg
This castaway is one of the most well-rounded to ever be on the show. He's played three times, and his charming personality, social skills, and challenge wins definitely set him apart from the rest.
There was nothing to hate about Malcolm, and he never won because he was a huge threat. However, he made it to day 38 his first time around, and after that, he was just too likable to keep around.
8 James "J.T." Thomas Jr.
J.T. took home the title on the Tocantins, but he later competed on Heroes vs. Villains (as a hero) and Game Changers. One of the best to hit the beach, this castaway never swayed from his values.
However, he still crushed it at challenges, strategy, and alliances. Plus, he even found immunity idols. This was another player that was too lovable and too talented to keep around.
7 Sophie Clarke
Sophie Clarke is definitely a hero, with her down-to-earth attitude, sweet personality, and strategic prowess. She earned a well-deserved title for South Pacific and proved how great she is again on Winners at War.
She relied on alliances and her own brain, but she never stooped to the level of any memorable villain on the show. Sophie goes down as a hero.
6 Yul Kwon
Yul Kwon beat out Ozzy Lusth for the title on Cook Islands, and this popular and lovable player finally returned seasons later for Winners at War. This castaway might just be the smartest guy to hit the island.
Plus, his social skills and tight-knit alliances are definitely worthy of earning him on this list. He relies on his mind and challenge skills, but he's always as sweet as pie.
5 Denise Stapley
Denise's biggest move in her career might have been manipulating and blindsiding the queen herself, one of the biggest moments in the show's history, but that doesn't really make her much of a villain. Ins fact, it almost makes her more of a hero.
She was Sole Survivor on her first season, Philippines, and proved how social and lovable she really is. Plus, she's super smart and used her alliances and strategy to climb her way to the top.
4 Cirie Fields
It baffles all fans of the show that Cirie Fields has never taken home the win. She certainly deserves it and has proved herself time and time again through strategy and social bonds.
She's played four times, including being a hero on Heroes vs. Villains and a game-changer on the season, Game Changers. There probably isn't as lovable a player out there as Cirie, but she's also one of the best to ever play.
3 Ozzy Lusth
Every well-rounded player that hits the beach will forever be known as the "next Ozzy". This castaway carved a place in history almost immediately, proving that he can do literally anything.
From challenges to survival to social skills to strategy, Ozzy earned his way to the end on Cook Islands, where he narrowly lost to Yul Kwon. He's returned three more times and is just too great for players to leave in the game. This hero is definitely a fan favorite.
2 Tyson Apostol
Tyson Apostol is one of the funniest and most liked players from the show. He was the Sole Survivor on Blood vs. Water but competed three other times. He was also a hero on Heroes vs. Villains, and it's not hard to see why.
Tyson is a challenge beast, but he's also a ray of sunshine. He's so sociable and smart that it's impossible not to love him. He's definitely earned a spot in this show's hall of fame.
1 "Boston Rob" Mariano
Survivor likely wouldn't be what it is today without Rob Mariano. The godfather of the island, Rob has played a whopping five times and even returned as a mentor for one season.
He won Redemption Island, and also returned for All-Stars, Heroes vs. Villains, and Winners at War. He's a legend on the beach, from being a leader of his alliances to crushing it in challenges. Plus, he's one of the smartest guys out there. This hero deserves to be at the top of this list.
