Russell Swan

Russell Swan is a contestant from and.

A charismatic leader, Russell led the Galu tribe to dominate the tribal phase of the competition, though he was abruptly pulled from the game in one of the show's scariest eliminations.

Profile
At 5’11” and 220 “semi-solid” pounds, this attorney spends his working hours suing companies and individuals who violate environmental laws. In addition to practicing law, Russell enjoys spending time with his wife and five-year-old daughter and watching independent films.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Russell’s father fell victim to layoffs at a local steel mill and struggled to support his family. Forced to move into Section 8 housing, his parents eventually divorced but the separation did not weaken any of his relationships, including the one he shared with his parents. Russell’s hero is his dad whom he says, “really loved his family and was a perfect example of what a husband should be to his wife, and what a dad should be to his child.”

Despite tumultuous circumstances (or as a result of), Russell has been attracted to jobs with responsibilities ranging from environmental protection, minority youth education advocacy and representation for homeless individuals. He is a dedicated father and a loving husband and describes a perfect day as spending time with his daughter and ending the day by “talking” privately with his wife.

A passionate man, Russell cannot stand hearing over-generalizations about specific groupings of people and avoids discussing topics relating to race and sexuality because he feels that others usually have a hard time dealing with his conversation style.

Always prepared to joke and laugh at himself, Russell is willing to go to drastic lengths for a million dollars in order to win including making a vow to cut off his dreadlocks if he wins the title of sole SURVIVOR.

Survivor: Samoa


Upon arriving to Samoa, Russell was placed on the purple tribe, Galu. Russell was elected leader by his tribemates, but was reluctant to accept the position. At camp, Russell's managed to lead his tribe quite well despite being faced with many difficult decisions he had to make and his leadership skills encouraged Galu to win challenge after challenge. Seeing Shambo's dismal performance around camp and in challenges, he sent the already alienated Shambo to be the observer of the Foa Foa tribe twice in a row and making her miss out on reward. When the downpour came in the second quarter of the game, Russell began to increase his work quota. This proved to be almost fatal when Russell was evacuated and almost died during a challenge when his heart rate plunged. He was sad to leave but knew he couldn't die because his family needed him.

Survivor: Philippines
Russell returned to the game for a second time, becoming a member of the Matsing Tribe. Russell vocally announced he did not want to be Matsing's leader, wanting to avoid what happened to him the first time around. However, Russell still gave out orders, causing fellow tribe members Malcolm Freberg and Angie Layton to conspire to vote him out the first chance they lost. Matsing managed to lose their first Immunity Challenge, but Russell was spared when Zane Knight's strategy of asking to be voted out (to feel out who wanted him around) backfired, and he was unanimously voted out 5-1. Russell would soon gain an ally, Roxanne Morris, with the two wanting to split up Malcolm and Angie. Russell attempted to swing Denise Stapley (who, unbeknownst to both parties, was Malcolm's ally). Matsing would lose a second (but by a much smaller margin this time) Immunity Challenge. Russell was once again spared but decided to vote Roxanne with the majority. At the third Immunity Challenge, Russell struggled to climb up the ladder out of the water, once again putting him in the hot seat against Angie (who also struggled), losing once again by a small margin. At Tribal Council, Russell campaigned, saying that he was more dedicated to the game of Survivor and had more experience than Angie. Russell found himself spared again by a 3-1 vote. With Matsing down to 3, Russell was on the outs as he no longer had any allies. Russell tried to find the Hidden Immunity Idol, but failed to do so after Denise caught him. At the Immunity Challenge, Matsing lost for their fourth time in a row, causing Russell to snap by smashing the rice pot used in the challenge, and telling Jeff he wanted to be made of "excellence". Russell believed himself to be the swing as Malcolm and Denise plotted against the other (although this was a ruse to blindside Russell). At the fourth Tribal Council, a shocked Russell was voted out 2-1.

Post-Survivor
After coming home from the Philippines, Russell fell into depression. He fell into denial and felt horrible because he has to relive it watching the show.

Trivia

 * Russell's evacuation was so severe, this incident marked the first time a challenge was cancelled while underway, with neither awarded the win.
 * Russell lasted only 15 days on his debut season - less than any other returning player.
 * Russell is one of six castaways (the others being Rob Mariano, Shii Ann Huang, Bobby Jon Drinkard, Michael Skupin, and Francesca Hogi) that returned for a second season despite not being a member of the merged tribe or the Jury in their original season.
 * Russell lasted only 25 days on his two seasons combined. This is less than any other player who has multiple appearances on the show.
 * He is behind Randy Bailey who has 38 days.
 * Russell is the only returning player to never reach the merge or Jury.
 * Russell and Tom Westman have been affiliated with only two tribes despite having played two seasons.
 * Russell was the only returnee in Survivor: Philippines to not be addressed by his last name.