Russell Hantz

Russell Hantz was a contestant in Samoa and Heroes vs. Villains. He was considered to be one of the most devious constestants to ever appear on the show. He finished second in Samoa, while finished third in Heroes vs. Villains. He also participated in Survivor: Redemption Island, where he finished 17th.

Survivor: Samoa
Russell was placed on the yellow Foa Foa tribe. In the first challenge, he was chosen for the leg of the race that required strength by tribal leader Mick. Foa Foa won the reward challenge. From the beginning, he already demonstrated his preference to play through lies and deceit, making conflicting alliances with every tribemate (mostly females) coming into contact. He even created lies about his personal life, claiming that he was a Hurricane Katrina victim. Still not contented, he became fond of wreaking psychological havoc whenever possible, even sabotaging his own tribe, as seen In Foa Foa's first night, where Hantz dumped all water containers and burned socks. This plan took its toll on Foa Foa, whose subsequent failure in eight out of ten tribal challenges and made them sacrifice six of their ten members. Marisa Calihan, Betsy Bolan and Ashley Trainer were systematically eliminated after they had caught Russell's dirty tactics. After Galu lost Russell Swan before a supposed double-boot twist in Day 15 because of a severe medical condition (which Hantz claimed was a sort-of victory for Foa Foa, for the rival tribe still lost a member), another loss sent Foa Foa back to Tribal Council, where Liz Kim was voted out when Russell H. felt she does not need her anymore. This prompted an early merger, with still twelve people remaining. The rival tribe Galu severely outnumbered Foa Foa, with an 8-4 supermajority.

His craftiness scaled newer heights when he made an unthinkable Survivor first, finding several Hidden Immunity Idols without using the provided clues. With these Idols at his disposal, he became merely invincible at Tribal Council.

When the tribes merged, Hantz gradually rallied the Foa Foa foursome (consisting of Jaison Robinson, Natalie White and tribe leader Mick Trimming) to victory when they concocted a "divide and conquer" scheme, attempting to make the former Galus turn on each other. This was proved effective when White turned the Galu women on cocky Erik Cardona, who was blindsided at their first Tribal Council as Aiga (unknown to everyone, they effectively flushed Erik's own Hidden Immunity Idol). Hantz on the other hand, used his Idol, though no votes were cast against him. Hantz again surprised everyone when he revealed another Idol the following Tribal Council. This time, however, the effects devastated the former Galus, because it was revealed that they had voted for him. With all seven of Russell's votes spoilt, only the former Foa Foa's votes were counted, with all leading to an unsuspecting Kelly Sharbaugh, sending her to the Jury in a 4-0 vote.

After two consecutive ex-Galu blindsides, Russell convinced Shambo Waters shift allegiances to the former Foa Foas, for she felt unhappy with her own tribe. This caused the remaining Galus (including Waters herself) were subsequently eliminated, starting from Shambo's archrival, Laura Morett. When they thought that their victory was imminent, the Foa Foa four's aspirations of being the final four were thwarted, when the last remaining Galu member Brett Clouser went on to win a crucial Immunity Challenge, making the once strong alliance of four eliminate one of their own, a task they had not done in eighteen days. Clouser's win made Russell's closest ally Natalie as the next intended target, but Russell wanted to take her to the end, assuming that he will get more Jury votes. He turned the tables on Jaison instead, and he was eliminated. After a close final Immunity Challenge, Russell won immunity over Brett. As a last chance to stay alive, Brett tried to convince Russell to eliminate Mick instead. Though Russell considered Brett's idea, the remaining Foa Foas prevailed as the last Galu member took his fall in a 3-1 vote.

At the Final Tribal Council, Hantz was berated for being arrogant and overly two-faced. Despite his aggressive game plan garnered him votes from Shambo and John Fincher, though he eventually lost when the other Jury members voted for Natalie instead. In the reunion show, Russell bribed Natalie to surrender the Sole Survivor title to him for $100,000, for he felt he was more deserving than her, in which Natalie declined. His antics, however, made him earn the Sprint Player of the Season award, giving him $100,000.

Survivor: Redemption Island
Hantz returned to compete for a third time along with Heroes vs. Villains archrival Rob Mariano to settle their iconic rivalry in the said season. After a draw of buffs, Russell went to the purple Zapatera tribe. Immediately after the tribe reached camp, Russell stated that he would be playing differently than his previous seasons. He laid it out by saying that he would not sabotage anybody or do the things he was notorious for in the past. Despite his claims, the new contestants still became suspicious of him. Nonetheless, Russell led the tribe to two successive challenge wins. Knowing he had a big target on his back, he made a familiar move by again making alliances with the petite girls, Stephanie Valencia and Krista Klumpp. After winning the Day 5 Immunity Challenge, the three found the clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol and tried to look out for it, but eventually failed, because Ralph Kiser already found it (by accident). Russell was then called out in the open by Ralph for stealing the clue, which angered the former.

In Day 8, hungry for Russell's elimination, the six other tribe members concocted a bold plan to get rid of Russell. First, they would tell Russell that Francesca Hogi won the first duel (which in truth, it was Matt Elrod who won, potentially throwing Russell off-guard once he steps in at the dreaded island) and second, they will purposefully throw the next challenge, to have an opportunity to go to Tribal Council and vote him out.

Fearing that there might be another Idol at Zapatera camp, the majority alliance decided to split the votes between Russell and one person from his alliance. At Zapatera's first Tribal Council, Russell continued to stress out that he was a changed man, while Stephanie was trying to protect him, saying that his past experience will propel them in future victories. But still, the others were still, the vote ended up a three-way tie between Russell, Stephanie and Ralph. After a revote, a furious Russell walked out from Tribal Council and headed to Redemption Island.

Angry of being doublecrossed by his tribe, Russell vowed to defeat Matt. But in a surprise turn of events, the villain fell from grace after being defeated in the Day 9 duel. Much to the spectators' surprise, Russell was reduced to tears seconds after losing, stating that he had really changed.

Post-Survivor
After the Redemption Island Duel which he lost, Russell said that he will not be returning to play Survivor. However, there is still a chance he might return, since he said to Jeff during a Skype chat after the airing of the episode that he may consider returning for a future season. Many fans were relieved to hear officially that Russell told Jeff to keep his number for a future season during the Redemption Island Reunion.

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 * Despite stating that Redemption Island is going to be his last time playing Survivor, during a Skype chat between him and Jeff Probst, Hantz said he may consider returning. Later at the Reunion Show, it is revealed that he is still open for returning for a future season.