Jeff Probst

About Jeff Probst

Jeffrey Lee "Jeff" Probst (born November 4, 1961) is a six-time Emmy-nominated (once awarded) American television personality, acting as a game show host, executive producer and a reporter. He is best known for his role as the host of the U.S. version of the Survivor reality show.

Probst was born in Wichita, Kansas, but grew up primarily in Bellevue, Washington. After graduating Newport High School in 1979, he attended Seattle Pacific University, and worked at Boeing Motion Picture/Television studio as a producer and narrator of marketing videos. Probst was divorced from his wife of five years, Shelley Wright, in 2001. In his spare time, Jeff is active in the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

In addition to Survivor, Probst previously hosted the FX network's original half-hour show dedicated to answering viewer letters, Backchat (1996). He went on to serve as host of the VH1 series Rock & Roll Jeopardy! from 1998 to 2001), and was a correspondent for the syndicated program Access Hollywood, during which he traveled a reported 300,000 miles. He has also written the screenplay for and directed an independent film, released in 2001, called Finder's Fee. Jeff also does voice work for the animated television program Fillmore, as Vice-Principal Raycliff. People magazine named Probst one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2001. He often contributes to Jeopardy! by giving Survivor related clues from some of the show's venues.