Colby Donaldson
Encyclopedia
Colby Donaldson is an American
television actor
, best known as the runner-up on Survivor: The Australian Outback
and as the host for the show Top Shot
.
, and earned a degree in business marketing
at Texas Tech University
, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta
fraternity
. Before becoming an actor, Donaldson owned and operated a welding business, which continues to this day. He enjoys working on hot rods, hunting, and fishing.
was in the second season, Survivor: The Australian Outback
. Near the end of the competition, Donaldson won the final immunity
challenge, over Tina Wesson
and Keith Famie
. As a result, Donaldson was given the choice of whom to face in the final two. Donaldson had formed an alliance with Tina Wesson
early in the show and stated that he wanted to see that through. He also said that he did not want Famie to have a shot at winning the title. In the end, Donaldson cast his vote to eliminate Famie, who was generally disliked, and who Donaldson perceived as less deserving to win the title of Sole Survivor. Ultimately, Donaldson finished in second place, with Wesson winning the competition. In an online poll during the 20th season, the decision to take Wesson to the final two was listed as one of the options for the dumbest moves in Survivor history.
, Donaldson was voted by an online poll as the sexiest male castaway of all first 8 seasons. Donaldson is also known for his friendship with Survivor host Jeff Probst
and their regular poker games.
players Tom Westman
and Stephenie LaGrossa
, who were two of the first five to be eliminated. His performance in challenges was surprisingly weak, with ex-China
and Micronesia
player James Clement even calling him "Superman in a fatsuit." He and the rest of the Heroes tribe won the last three immunity challenges before the merge. As a result, the Heroes and the Villains entered the merge with five members each. After villain Parvati Shallow
gave hidden Immunity Idols to villain's Sandra Diaz-Twine
and Jerri Manthey
, hero James "J.T." Thomas, Jr.
was eliminated, giving the villains the advantage in numbers. The remaining Heroes were systematically eliminated, one by one, with Donaldson being the last of the Heroes remaining in the final episode. Ultimately, he was voted out on Day 37 and became the eighth jury member.
, which premiered on June 6, 2010 on the History Channel.
, Reba
, Just Shoot Me!
, 8 Simple Rules
, Bones
, and several episodes of Joey. Donaldson also appeared on The Rachael Ray Show
from 2006 to 2009 as one of Rachael's buddies. Donaldson had a minor role as a secret service
agent in Wes Craven's 2005 film Red Eye
.
Donaldson starred in several commercials as the spokesman for Schick
razors.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, best known as the runner-up on Survivor: The Australian Outback
Survivor: The Australian Outback
Survivor: The Australian Outback is the second season of the United States reality show Survivor. Filming took place at Goshen Station in northern Queensland during 2000 and aired from January 28, 2001 to May 3, 2001 on CBS...
and as the host for the show Top Shot
Top Shot
Top Shot is an American reality television show that debuted on the History Channel on June 6, 2010. The show features 16 contestants, split into two teams of eight, competing in various types of shooting challenges. One by one, the contestants are eliminated until only one remains...
.
Personal life
Donaldson was born in Christoval, TexasChristoval, Texas
Christoval is a census-designated place in Tom Green County, Texas, United States. The population was 422 at the 2000 census. It is part of the San Angelo, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, and earned a degree in business marketing
Business marketing
Business Marketing is the practice of individuals, or organizations, including commercial businesses, governments and institutions, facilitating the sale of their products or services to other companies or organizations that in turn resell them, use them as components in products or services they...
at Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta , also known as Phi Delt, is an international fraternity founded at Miami University in 1848 and headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi form the Miami Triad. The fraternity has about 169 active chapters and colonies in over 43 U.S...
fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
. Before becoming an actor, Donaldson owned and operated a welding business, which continues to this day. He enjoys working on hot rods, hunting, and fishing.
Survivor: The Australian Outback
Donaldson's first appearance on SurvivorSurvivor (U.S. TV series)
Survivor is an American version of the Survivor reality television game show, itself derived from the Swedish television series Expedition Robinson originally created in 1997 by Charlie Parsons. The series premiered on May 31, 2000 on CBS...
was in the second season, Survivor: The Australian Outback
Survivor: The Australian Outback
Survivor: The Australian Outback is the second season of the United States reality show Survivor. Filming took place at Goshen Station in northern Queensland during 2000 and aired from January 28, 2001 to May 3, 2001 on CBS...
. Near the end of the competition, Donaldson won the final immunity
Immunity (reality television)
Immunity in reality television is a concept that is widely used in weekly elimination-type reality television shows by which a contestant participating in such a show may not be "kicked off" or eliminated from competition in a particular time period...
challenge, over Tina Wesson
Tina Wesson
Tina Wesson won $1,000,000 as the winner of Survivor: The Australian Outback. A married personal nurse from Knoxville, Tennessee, Wesson outlasted 15 other players to become the first woman to win the $1 million prize in 2001. She did not have any votes cast against her at Tribal Council...
and Keith Famie
Keith Famie
Keith Famie is a director/producer of human-interest films. He is probably best known for being a contestant on the CBS reality television series, Survivor: The Australian Outback. He was the 14th person to be voted off...
. As a result, Donaldson was given the choice of whom to face in the final two. Donaldson had formed an alliance with Tina Wesson
Tina Wesson
Tina Wesson won $1,000,000 as the winner of Survivor: The Australian Outback. A married personal nurse from Knoxville, Tennessee, Wesson outlasted 15 other players to become the first woman to win the $1 million prize in 2001. She did not have any votes cast against her at Tribal Council...
early in the show and stated that he wanted to see that through. He also said that he did not want Famie to have a shot at winning the title. In the end, Donaldson cast his vote to eliminate Famie, who was generally disliked, and who Donaldson perceived as less deserving to win the title of Sole Survivor. Ultimately, Donaldson finished in second place, with Wesson winning the competition. In an online poll during the 20th season, the decision to take Wesson to the final two was listed as one of the options for the dumbest moves in Survivor history.
Survivor: All Stars
Donaldson was selected to participate in Survivor: All Stars. He was on the Mogo Mogo tribe, was the fifth person voted out, and the seventh overall to leave the game. At the televised reunion, Survivor: America's Tribal CouncilSurvivor: America's Tribal Council
Survivor: America's Tribal Council was a special edition of the TV show Survivor: All-Stars, which followed the Survivor: All-Stars finale in which Amber Brkich won the million dollar prize...
, Donaldson was voted by an online poll as the sexiest male castaway of all first 8 seasons. Donaldson is also known for his friendship with Survivor host Jeff Probst
Jeff Probst
Jeffrey Lee "Jeff" Probst is an American game show host, executive producer and a reporter. He is best known as the host of the U.S. version of the reality show Survivor.-Biography:...
and their regular poker games.
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
Donaldson returned to play for a third time in the twentieth season entitled, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. Due to what was perceived as a loyal and heroic move of taking Tina Wesson over the disliked Keith Famie, he was placed on the Heroes tribe. Donaldson quickly became an outsider, after forming an alliance with ex-PalauSurvivor: Palau
Survivor: Palau is the tenth season of the United States reality show Survivor. Its preview appeared during the final episode of Survivor: Vanuatu. Survivor: Palau premiered on February 17, 2005. The complete season, including the Live Reunion Show, was released on DVD by CBS Home Video on August...
players Tom Westman
Tom Westman
Tom Westman is the $1,000,000 winner of the tenth season of the reality show Survivor, Survivor: Palau. Westman is a husband, father of three, and former firefighter. Westman has a deaf daughter. He announced his retirement from the department effective August 8, 2005...
and Stephenie LaGrossa
Stephenie LaGrossa
Stephenie LaGrossa was a contestant in Survivor: Palau, Survivor: Guatemala, and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. She was one of the most popular players ever to play the game, with her popularity peaking at 97%...
, who were two of the first five to be eliminated. His performance in challenges was surprisingly weak, with ex-China
Survivor: China
Survivor: China is the fifteenth season of the American CBS competitive reality television series Survivor. The premiere aired September 20, 2007. Host Jeff Probst claimed the show was the first full American TV series to be filmed entirely within China...
and Micronesia
Survivor: Micronesia
Survivor: Micronesia — Fans vs. Favorites is the sixteenth season of the American CBS competitive reality television series Survivor, being the show's third to include contestants from past seasons, after the all-returning contestant pool from Survivor: All-Stars, and Survivor: Guatemala in which...
player James Clement even calling him "Superman in a fatsuit." He and the rest of the Heroes tribe won the last three immunity challenges before the merge. As a result, the Heroes and the Villains entered the merge with five members each. After villain Parvati Shallow
Parvati Shallow
Parvati Shallow is the $1,000,000 winner of the reality television series Survivor: Micronesia after receiving votes from Eliza Orlins, Jason Siska, Alexis Jones, Natalie Bolton, and Cirie Fields. She had previously competed in Survivor: Cook Islands where she placed sixth, and later was the...
gave hidden Immunity Idols to villain's Sandra Diaz-Twine
Sandra Diaz-Twine
Sandra Diaz-Twine is the $1,000,000 winner of the seventh season of Survivor, Survivor: Pearl Islands and the winner of the 20th season in Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains; she is the show's only two-time winner...
and Jerri Manthey
Jerri Manthey
Jerri Lynn Manthey is an American actress who is best known for her appearances on reality television.- Early life :Jerri Manthey was born in Stuttgart, Germany and attended both high school and college in Germany. Manthey's father, Cyril, was a career member of the United States Army and served...
, hero James "J.T." Thomas, Jr.
James Thomas, Jr.
James "J. T." Thomas, Jr. is the US$1,000,000 winner of the American television show Survivor: Tocantins.-Early life:Thomas was raised in Samson, Alabama and he currently resides in Mobile, Alabama...
was eliminated, giving the villains the advantage in numbers. The remaining Heroes were systematically eliminated, one by one, with Donaldson being the last of the Heroes remaining in the final episode. Ultimately, he was voted out on Day 37 and became the eighth jury member.
Top Shot
Donaldson hosts Top ShotTop Shot
Top Shot is an American reality television show that debuted on the History Channel on June 6, 2010. The show features 16 contestants, split into two teams of eight, competing in various types of shooting challenges. One by one, the contestants are eliminated until only one remains...
, which premiered on June 6, 2010 on the History Channel.
Acting career
After this brief stint on reality television, Donaldson turned to acting, appearing on such shows as Curb Your EnthusiasmCurb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm is an American comedy television series produced and broadcast by HBO, which premiered on October 15, 2000. As of 2011, it has completed 80 episodes over eight seasons. The series was created by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, who stars as a fictionalized version of himself...
, Reba
Reba (TV series)
Reba is an American sitcom starring Reba McEntire, which ran from 2001 to 2007. For the show's first five seasons, it ran on The WB, with the show transitioning to The CW in its last year.-Synopsis:...
, Just Shoot Me!
Just Shoot Me!
Just Shoot Me! is an American television sitcom that aired for seven seasons on NBC from March 4, 1997 to August 16, 2003, with 148 episodes produced. The show was created by Steven Levitan, the show's executive producer.-Description:...
, 8 Simple Rules
8 Simple Rules
8 Simple Rules is an American sitcom that originally aired on ABC from September 17, 2002, to April 15, 2005, with 76 episodes produced over three seasons. It is based on the self-improvement book of the same name. The show starred John Ritter until his death on September 11, 2003...
, Bones
Bones (TV series)
Bones is an American crime drama television series that premiered on the Fox Network on September 13, 2005. The show is based on forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology, with each episode focusing on an FBI case file concerning the mystery behind human remains brought by FBI Special Agent...
, and several episodes of Joey. Donaldson also appeared on The Rachael Ray Show
Rachael Ray (TV series)
Rachael Ray, also known as The Rachael Ray Show, is a talk show starring Rachael Ray that debuted in syndication in the United States and Canada on September 18, 2006....
from 2006 to 2009 as one of Rachael's buddies. Donaldson had a minor role as a secret service
Secret service
A secret service describes a government agency, or the activities of a government agency, concerned with the gathering of intelligence data. The tasks and powers of a secret service can vary greatly from one country to another. For instance, a country may establish a secret service which has some...
agent in Wes Craven's 2005 film Red Eye
Red Eye (film)
Red Eye is a 2005 thriller film directed by Wes Craven and starring Rachel McAdams as a hotel manager ensnared in an assassination plot by a terrorist while aboard a red-eye flight to Miami. The film score was composed and conducted by Marco Beltrami.-Plot:Lisa Reisert fears flying...
.
Donaldson starred in several commercials as the spokesman for Schick
Schick (razors)
Schick is a brand of safety razors by Wilkinson Sword, a subsidiary of Energizer Holdings. It was founded in 1926 by Jacob Schick as the Magazine Repeating Razor Company. In 1934, Schick introduced its highly successful single blade safety razor system, that stored ten blades in a steel injector...
razors.