Brian Heidik

Brian Heidik is the winner of Survivor: Thailand.

He was known for his commanding leadership of Chuay Gahn and disdain of being close with any of his tribe members, claiming the show was a "business trip".

Profile
Brian Heidik was born in Burtonsville, Maryland, and attended Paint Branch High School, where he played football and ultimately became an All-State quarterback. Upon graduating, he was recruited by North Carolina State. While in college, he studied finance until a knee injury during his sophomore year ended his football career. Brian then moved to New York City and lived there for three years before moving to California.

Brian is currently employed as a top used car salesman in Southern California. He previously worked as a stockbroker, motorcycle salesman, writer and actor. His varying acting credits include a series regular role on "Days of Our Lives," playing the character of Tim Rollins, along with guest-starring roles in "Baywatch Nights" and "Doogie Howser, M.D." He enjoys dirt bike riding, playing guitar and hunting. He is most proud of being a father. Brian describes his perfect day as riding a dirt bike in the woods with his son while chasing deer.

Brian currently lives in Quartz Hill, California with his wife, CC, and their son, Logan. He is a member of the National Association of Homeowners and The Chamber of Commerce. His birth date is March 9, 1968.

Survivor: Thailand
As part of the Chuay Gahn tribe, Brian considered his experience a "business trip" and wasn't immediately targeted due to his physical strength and his ability to provide food for the tribe. Early on in the game, he was considered a trustworthy individual, despite his used car salesman occupation being known by all. However, his status as trustworthy would soon change dramatically. When Brian's tribe lost the first and second immunity challenges, he joined the majority to vote out John Raymond and Tanya Vance. After the Grindgate incident between Ted Rogers, Jr. and Ghandia Johnson, Brian was worried that the rift between the two would divide the tribe. So he enlisted the help of Helen Glover to side with himself, Ted and Clay Jordan to vote out Ghandia, which they did successfully in Episode 4. By doing so, he created a Final 2 alliance with Helen, despite already having one with Ted. Chuay Gahn then enjoyed two immunity wins.

When there were only 10 Survivors left, the two tribes began living on the same beach, believing they had merged into one tribe. However, this was not the case. Chuay Gahn continued their winning streak for two more episodes, dwindling the former Sook Jai members to only 3. When the tribes finally merged at 8 Survivors remaining, Brian was a strong force in keeping the Chuay Gahn alliance strong and ousting the remaining former Sook Jai members at back-to-back tribal councils. They were very successful, voting out Ken Stafford, Penny Ramsey and Jake Billingsley. At this point Brian had three Final 2 alliances, each with Helen, Ted and Clay.

At the Final 5, the survivors (all members of Chuay Gahn) were forced to turn on each other. Helen and Ted had a plan to pull over Jan Gentry and vote out Clay, whom they believed did not deserve a spot in the Final 2. When Brian heard the two had been talking, he wrongly believed this was against himself, with neither Helen or Ted having this idea in mind. After winning individual immunity, Brian, together with Jan, Helen and Clay, voted out Ted despite their Final 2 alliance. At the Final 4, Brian enjoyed another immunity win and informed Helen that Jan would be voted out. However, he went with Clay and used Jan to vote out Helen, believing she had conspired against him and she was unbeatable in the Final 2.

At the Final 3, Brian felt comfortable with his game and immunity wins, despite backstabbing two of his former tribemates. He managed to win the final immunity, and chose to vote out Jan, taking Clay into the Final 2. Jan was the only former Chuay Gahn Final 5 member Brian did not have a Final 2 alliance with. Believing Clay was more hated, Brian thought he had made the right decision. However, Brian faced a tough Jury and in particular a very angry Helen.

In the end, Brian Heidik beat out Clay Jordan in a 4-3 vote to become the Sole Survivor. He managed to gain the votes of Jake Billingsley, Ted Rogers, Jr., Helen Glover and Jan Gentry. Brian was benefited by a usual occurrence on Survivor when two of Brian's votes came from a vote against Clay, particularly Helen and Ted whom Brian himself betrayed in the game, but still voted for him over Clay. Ted mentioned that he was voting for Brian, because he was "the lesser of two evils." Brian's strategy worked perfectly as he became the fifth Sole Survivor.

Trivia

 * Heidik was the second Survivor winner to get arrested after the show, following Richard Hatch, for shooting a puppy.
 * Heidik is the 3rd winner not to get any votes in tribal council. The first two are Tina Wesson and Ethan Zohn.
 * Heidik was called back for Survivor: All-Stars, but he said he would not come back unless he was paid a sum of money no matter what place he was in.
 * Was nominated in Survivor: America's Tribal Council as Best Villain but lost to Jonny Fairplay.
 * Heidik was revealed to be a former actor in soft-core adult movies, starring in "The Virgins of Sherwood Forest" (2000) and "Sinful Obsession" (1999).