Rupert Boneham Is 'Hurt' And 'Pissed' That He Wasn't Contacted For Survivor 50: In The Hands Of The Fans [Exclusive]

Since Survivor premiered in the year 2000, Jeff Probst's beloved reality show has captivated millions of fans. On top of new fans who are figuring out which seasons to watch first, there are dedicated viewers who know that some former players have refused to return to the show. After watching for years, those longtime fans have seen many fantastic seasons that featured great winners, some of the best players ever, and even medical evacuations.

Longtime fans will also know that Rupert Boneham arguably is the most popular Survivor player ever. Despite his popularity, Rupert won't be competing during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. While speaking exclusively to TheThings, Rupert expressed how angry he was to be excluded from the landmark season.

Rupert Boneham Explained How Angry He Is That He Wasn't Included In Survivor 50: In The Hands Of The Fans' Cast

When it was revealed that Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans would feature returning players, fans wanted the season to be a celebration of the show's past. Considering that Rupert Boneham arguably is the most popular player in Survivor history, his inclusion in the season could have been a no-brainer.

Of course, when Jeff announced the cast for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, Rupert was excluded. At that time, it would have made sense if some fans assumed that Rupert didn't want to return to play again.

In reality, however, Rupert won't be part of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans because the show's producers didn't want him to be. During an exclusive interview with TheThings, Rupert revealed how angry he is that he wasn't even contacted about Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

In July 2025, TheThings journalist Matthew Thomas exclusively interviewed Rupert Boneham about his Survivor experience.

Rupert Boneham's Survivor Placements
Placement	Season
8th Place/10th Voted Out/2nd Jury Member.Day 27	Survivor: Pearl Islands
4th Place/13th Voted Out/6th Jury Member/Day 37	Survivor: All-Stars
6th Place/15th Voted Out/7th Jury Member/Day 36	Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
20th Place/Switched/Day 1/1st Eliminated/Day 4	Survivor: Blood vs. Water

While talking to TheThings, Rupert was asked how he felt about the cast of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. As a part of his answer to that question, Rupert expressed confusion that he isn't part of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. Then, Rupert hinted at how angry he was to be excluded from Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

"Oh my gosh. Why wouldn't you have me on 50? If you can't tell, I'm a little pissed they didn't ask me."

It should still be noted that during his TheThings interview, Rupert expressed how much he has always loved Survivor and continues to. "I loved playing Survivor. I was a fan of Survivor from the first time I saw it. In Indiana, in February, I played a state fair Survivor in an eight-foot by 10-foot hut for ten days with ten people and made it to the end. I used that for my audition video going into the real game. I have always loved Survivor."

After previously asking if it was obvious that he was upset about not returning to Survivor, Rupert went further than that.

While speaking to TheThings in July 2025, Rupert Boneham was asked who else he wanted to return for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. In response, Rupert expressed that he had trouble singling out other players while stating there were lots of people he'd like to see play again. Then, Rupert said he was struggling to name any specific players because he couldn't look past his own exclusion. "I have trouble looking past them not even giving me the chance."

While talking to TheThings, Rupert explicitly stated how angry and hurt he was to be overlooked for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

"I was so shocked and hurt and pissed that they wouldn't even consider me."

Jeff Probst and Rupert Boneham side by side — Survivor's Jeff Probst and Rupert Boneham on the red carpet

Later during the interview, Rupert stated that Survivor's boss, Mark Burnett, once told him that he didn't want players like him to be a bigger deal than the show. "Mark Burnett even came to me and said, 'Rupert, damn it. You little s***. You got bigger than my game. I'm not into making celebrities. I'm into making my show. I want my show to be the star, not the contestants."

Rupert explained to TheThings that he was confused by his Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans exclusion, partially because he'd been so closely associated with the show. "For years, when you would pull up Wikipedia on Survivor. For years, the only thing they would talk about was me."

In response to that revelation, Rupert was asked if he thought that might be why he wasn't cast on Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. At that point, Rupert stated that he believed that the show's producers wanted Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans to have a more predictable cast.

"I think that's why they've gone all predictable now. So it's the show. You don't even really remember the players anymore."

As the interview continued, Rupert addressed and dismissed another possible explanation for his Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans exclusion.

During Survivor: All-Stars, Rupert was closely aligned with Jenna Lewis-Dougherty. When asked by TheThings about Jenna returning for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, Rupert expressed admiration for her. Rupert also stated his opinion that Jenna deserves to win the upcoming season. "I always liked Jenna... I hope she does well. I would love to see her come back and, like, win the whole thing. She sure deserves it."

Despite how happy he was to see her return, Rupert pointed to Jenna's inclusion as proof that he should have been considered for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

"You know, they can't say they're not bringing back the old ones too because they're bringing back Jenna."

Despite how frustrated he was, that didn't stop Rupert from being excited to learn who'd been cast for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. While speaking to TheThings, Rupert explained that he closely watched the cast announcement despite being excluded.

"I was there glued to the darn TV watching them say who was going, know I wasn't gonna be in it. Wishing that they would have talked to me."

Rupert Boneham Revealed How Many Times He Has Almost Returned To Survivor Since The Last Time He Played

Unfortunately for fans who loved him, Rupert hasn't played Survivor since his last season aired in 2013. However, while talking to TheThings in July 2025, Rupert revealed that he came close to returning to Survivor several times after that.

When Rupert was first asked about Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans by TheThings, he volunteered information about his history with the show. Rupert explained that he was cut from Survivor after being considered several times over the years.

"They talked to me and dangled it out in front of me in 2016 and had me clear my schedule. They did it again to me in 2017. Had me clear my schedule."

Survivor's Boston Rupert Boneham & Laura Boneham hugging — Survivor's Boston Rupert Boneham & Laura Boneham looking close

Longtime Survivor fans will know that Rupert and his wife Laura Boneham competed during The Amazing Race 31. While talking to TheThings in July 2025, Rupert explained that he went on The Amazing Race after the potential of a Survivor return was dangled in front of him, but it didn't happen.

"In 2018, they told me, 'Oh, we're gonna bring you back in, Rupert.' You know, when I said, 'No. I don't believe you guys anymore.' They said, 'Well, Rupert, if we don't give you a Survivor, we'll give you The Amazing Race.' It's amazing. They threw me on The Amazing Race."

Given how immensely popular Rupert was, it truly is baffling that CBS had the chance to cast him so many times and didn't.