Rupert Boneham

Rupert Boneham was a contestant in Survivor: Pearl Islands, Survivor: All-Stars and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.

With his trademark long beard, his Tye-dyed shirt, and signature victory cry, Boneham is considered by fans to be one of the show's most popular castaways. He is also the only contestant to win $1,000,000 by public vote.

Profile
Born in Detroit, Rupert Boneham moved with his parents at a young age to Indiana where he eventually attended Haworth High School in Kokomo. He then moved to Texas to study nursing at Cisco Junior College and San Angelo University. Boneham currently resides in Indianapolis, where he works as a vocational and clinical mentor for troubled teens. He previously worked as a gravedigger and a bartender. His hobbies include scuba diving, camping and coin collecting. His favorite sport is racquetball. He describes himself as strong, smart and brave. He is most proud of becoming independent/self-employed and being able to care for his family while not having to live the "Nine-To-Five" world. He believes his competitive advantages on SURVIVOR: PEARL ISLANDS are his ability to be a team player, hunter and gatherer, camper and all-around survivor. Boneham is married to his wife, Laura, and they have one daughter, Raya.

Survivor: Pearl Islands
Regarded as the likeable pirate, Rupert began his time on Survivor as part of the Drake Tribe. Upon arrival at the local fishing village to obtain supplies for their time at camp, he noticed that the rival Morgan tribe had left their raft which contained their tennis shoes.

"drake"

- Everything that was in their raft, I took. I've always said I'll steal and pillage to win this game

Using these items to help boost their chances in securing more goods, Drake benefitted from a more luxurious camp. After enjoying much success with their continuous victories, Boneham became the target of Burton Roberts and Jonny Fairplay after he fashioned a makeshift sarong much to their enjoyment. Despite all this, Rupert became the resident fisherman which kept him in good steed with the rest of his team he was never put up for the chopping block.

During the events of Pick A Castaway...Any Castaway, Boneham was kidnapped by Morgan and joined his rivals at their camp. Surprised by his work ethic, Morgan briefly flourished and came together with Rupert as the catalyst - although when he was offered the opportunity to switch tribes he rejected the proposal and became a member of Drake once again. Although he did not obtain Tribal Immunity with his original side, Rupert remained in a solid position but after the elimination Trish Dunn, he was upset to learn that Fairplay had voted against him and confronted the art dealer at camp.

"drake"

- You're starting this s***!

After the outburst, Boneham apologised for his actions and stated that the team will be stronger after these events. When The Outcasts returned to compete in a challenge to win the opportunity to return, Drake lost with Boneham and his alliance voting out Shawn Cohen and then having Burton return back to camp shortly afterwards.

Upon merging the next day, Rupert opted to name the tribe Balboa after a small pet snake which everybody accepted. Due to Lillian Morris originally becoming outcasted by the Morgan tribe led by Andrew Savage she became the crucial swing vote in destroying the Morgan voting block. He enjoyed the next six days under the protection of Individual Immunity but it was short lived as Rupert was deemed too likeable and blindsided by the former Outcasts, the remaining Morgan women and Fairplay finishing as the second member of the Jury.

Survivor: America's Tribal Council
At the finale of Survivor: All Stars, viewers were given the opportunity in a contest called "America Votes", to select one of the eighteen contestants to win one million dollars. The finalists were Rupert Boneham, Colby Donaldson, Tom Buchanan, and Rob Mariano. Rupert won the million dollars, receiving 85% of the 38 million votes cast. He spent his prize money on his family's debts, a college fund for his daughter, a new house for his family, and the creation of his charity, Rupert's Kids, which mentors troubled children.

Post-Survivor
After being awarded one million dollars on 'Survivor: America's Tribal Council, Boneham used a large percentage of his winnings to establish Rupert's Kids, to help "at-risk teens" in his hometown. The organization joined with the City of Indianapolis to create the Park Adoption Program.

Shortly after his Survivor appearances, Boneham briefly appeared at promotional appearances for the Hardee's restaurant chain. In 2004 he appeared as a stable hand named Paul in "The Big My Little Pony Episode", the third season premiere of the TV series Half & Half. In 2006, he appeared in the independent movie Open Mic'rs. He also made a cameo appearance as a homeless man in The Radford Reshuffle, the sixth season premiere of the show Yes, Dear.

In 2009, Rupert appeared in the Isreali version of Survivor, Survivor 10: Philippine Islands, as part of a reward challenge.

Rupert is currently running for governor of Indiana.

Trivia

 * All of Rupert's placings are a multiple of 2.
 * Rupert has been a member of the jury in each of the three seasons he took part in, the most out of any player.
 * Rupert was the only male from the original Saboga tribe to make the merge in Survivor: All-Stars.
 * Rupert has the second highest number of tribe affiliations with eight, following Rob Mariano.
 * On Survivor: All-Stars, Rupert was part of every single tribe. Starting on the Saboga tribe, he was placed on the Chapera tribe when Saboga was dissolved. Later in the game, he was placed on the Mogo Mogo tribe as part of the tribe switch. Finally, the tribes merged, and the tribe was named Chaboga Mogo. During this entire time, Jenna Lewis was on the same tribe as Rupert.
 * Rupert was the first contestant to compete in back-to-back seasons.
 * Rupert is one of 12 players that holds the record for the most days spent without attending a Tribal Council with 15 during Survivor: Pearl Islands.
 * Rupert is one of two players (along with Russell Hantz) to play multiple times in the same location as their original season.
 * Rupert is one of two players (along with Jerri Manthey) to compete three times and not participate in the Survivor Auction reward.
 * Rupert is the first contestant to never make the finals and achieve the feat of playing for at least 100 days.
 * Rupert was on a blue tribe every season.
 * Rupert has won the most money out of the winners of the Fan Favorite Award, with $1,000,000. Subsequent fan favorite winners Cirie Fields and Ozzy Lusth won a car. Starting with Survivor: China, all fan favorites earn an extra $100,000.