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Rudy Boesch, a contestant on the first season of 'Survivor,' has died
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRudy Boesch, a long-serving Navy SEAL who rose to fame 20 years ago as a castaway on the first season of "Survivor," died Friday, according to the Navy SEAL Foundation and multiple entertainment news outlets.
"Master Chief was a legend in the SEAL and Special Operations community," the foundation said, adding that Boesch served continuously in the Navy from 1944 to 1990.
Family members confirmed to People that he passed away at the age of 91 due to health complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Boesch spent much of his life in Virginia Beach, Va. When he was cast to "outwit, outplay, outlast" on a groundbreaking reality television program 20 years ago, he was already 72 years old, but only 10 years removed from his Navy service.
On the show, the oldest person ever to compete on "Survivor" was true to himself, coming off as no-nonsense, cantankerous and largely unconcerned with the conventions of political correctness. That drew criticism, but many viewers laughed at and admired his candor, and many locally rooted for the hometown favorite to win the show.
Boesch was eliminated during the final episode of "Survivor: Borneo," which was watched by more than 51 million people. He finished third, and his alliance member Richard Hatch won the $1 million prize.
"Master Chief was a legend in the SEAL and Special Operations community," the foundation said, adding that Boesch served continuously in the Navy from 1944 to 1990.
Family members confirmed to People that he passed away at the age of 91 due to health complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Boesch spent much of his life in Virginia Beach, Va. When he was cast to "outwit, outplay, outlast" on a groundbreaking reality television program 20 years ago, he was already 72 years old, but only 10 years removed from his Navy service.
On the show, the oldest person ever to compete on "Survivor" was true to himself, coming off as no-nonsense, cantankerous and largely unconcerned with the conventions of political correctness. That drew criticism, but many viewers laughed at and admired his candor, and many locally rooted for the hometown favorite to win the show.
Boesch was eliminated during the final episode of "Survivor: Borneo," which was watched by more than 51 million people. He finished third, and his alliance member Richard Hatch won the $1 million prize.
