Stephen Fishbach

Stephen Andrew Fishbach is a contestant from and.

He is known for his strong strategic play in the game, described by Coach Wade as "The Wizard," and earning him a spot in the final two. However, a poor performance in the Final Tribal Council gave a unanimous win to his close ally J.T. Thomas.

Profile
Stephen Fishbach believes he's a cutthroat player who can manipulate his way to SURVIVOR success, though you couldn't tell that by looking at his non-threatening appearance. The first one to tell you he resembles a Muppet, Stephen plans to sidetrack his competition with his goofy charm and quirky sense of humor.

Aided by his quick wit and prankster personality, this Internet marketing director could very well be a major player behind the scenes. A Yale graduate, Stephen certainly has the right mix of brains and charisma to disarm his fellow castaways. This New Yorker believes people will be inclined to trust him but claims "that would be their mistake, because then I strike!"

Described by his friends as wild, smart and ambitious, Stephen's biggest pet peeve is when somebody is “overconfident or cocky.” He plans to use that type of person to his advantage by forming a bond and then subtly prompting them to carry out his decisions. A strategist, Stephen prides himself on being able to pretend to agree with someone's idea while replacing it with his own.

In his free time, Stephen keeps himself active and fit by boxing and lifting weights. He also takes part in urban combat activities, namely the Idiotarod, which he describes as a great event where "five idiots drag a shopping cart from Brooklyn to Manhattan." Among his reasons for why he believes he will excel at SURVIVOR, Stephen lists "he's strategic and devious."

Stephen currently resides in New York, N.Y. His birth date is January 24.

Survivor: Tocantins
Stephen Fishbach was placed on the Jalapao tribe. He was reassured that he wasn't going to be the first to go upon seeing Sandy Burgin. After the supply raid, the tribes was asked to vote for the weakest based solely on first impressions. Like most of his tribe, Stephen voted against Sandy. Instead of eliminating her, she and Sierra Reed were given a helicopter ride to their respective camps. Upon seeing J.T. Thomas, Stephen viewed him as a "good old boy" and won't be able to get along with him. When they arrived at camp, Sandy didn't built the shelter so the next day, Jalapao built a decent shelter. At the season's first challenge, Timbira just barely won over Jalapao. After their loss, Carolina Eastwood started bossing people around in order to improve their camp. Aggravated with Carolina and impressed by Sandy's performance in the challenge, the tribe voted out the former over the latter. After Carolina's boot, the tribe received flint.

The tribe made fire very quickly. They bonded when they searched for protein in the form of termites. Stephen was clueless when Taj Johnson revealed her husband's last name was George. At the challenge, Stephen helped his team score a point. Jalapao won immunity and fishing gear. Stephen bonded with J.T. while fishing. He would gladly play into the "eager, goofy best friend" if it meant that J.T. would carry him far. They decided to make a pact to the end. Jalapao won the next three challenges. Everyone enjoyed the victories, knowing that Timbira was miserable. Taj aligned herself with Stephen, informing them about the Exile Alliance. Timbira finally broke Jalapao's winning streak by winning immunity. Like everyone else, Stephen was disappointed because they would've had a 7-5 advantage. Stephen, Taj, and J.T. discussed whether to vote out the strong but antisocial Sandy or the weak yet pleasant Sydney Wheeler. In the end, the trio agreed with sending Sandy home.

Stephen and Taj found the Hidden Immunity Idol. Taj gave Stephen the idol because he had pockets. Jalapao won the next challenge for a trip to the Charmin Cafe. Unfortunately, Stephen was selected by Brendan Synnott to join him on Exile Island. He was unsure about placing his fate in the hands of the Exile Alliance. Although J.T. nearly won immunity for Jalapao, Timbira won because of Spencer Duhm's poor defense. That night, the tribe agreed that Spencer was the weakest and he was unanimously voted out. Sydney was concerned that she would be the next to go because of Stephen and J.T.'s tight friendship. The Reward Challenge was very close, but Timbira won. They chose to exile Joe Dowdle and he decided to bring Erinn Lobdell with him. Taj made a fake idol to fool Joe. Taj told J.T. about the idol in order to secure his trust. J.T. told Stephen that he had seen the idol in Taj's bag. Stephen explained that he and Taj were planning on telling him, further solidifying their friendship. Timbira lost the challenge again, causing Jalapao to have their numbers disadvantage worsen to 4-6. The friends tried to get Joe to vote out Sydney, but he refused. Stephen and J.T. considered the possibility of voting out Taj because Stephen technically had the idol. In the end, the alliance stayed loyal and Sydney was voted off in a 3-2 vote.

Everyone was concerned about Joe's knee, which was infected from a previous challenge. The tree mail implied a feast for the winner. Instead, they arrived to a merge feast. J.T named the tribe Forza. Coach Wade approached Stephen and J.T to recruit them in an alliance. Stephen was amazed at how easily the former Timbira tribe was willing to turn on each other. Unfortunately, Joe was medically evacuated because of his knee. Despite that, the Jalapao Three was in control of the game. Erinn also defected to the Jalapaos'. Stephen was exiled and he discovered that there was no new Idol. Despite that, Stephen learned to make fire. Brendan was the first to go because of his idol and his strength. Stephen was exiled again with still no hint of a new Idol. Stephen sat out of the Immunity Challenge for pizza. Debbie Beebe beat out Sierra for immunity. The Jalapao Three decided to blindside Tyson Apostol because of his dominance in challenges, without telling Sierra. Stephen won the Reward Challenge, and had his allies accompany him. When they returned, Coach told them that Sierra was trying to reorganize the original Timbira to expel Jalapao from the game (In truth, It was Debbie that was doing this). When Sierra learned of this, she accused them of lying. After careful consideration, Stephen and J.T. decided to vote Sierra for causing drama.

Knowing she was in danger, Debbie threw Coach under the bus. Debbie even stated that she would give up the Final Immunity Challenge so Stephen and J.T. could make the final two together. The Jalapao Three deemed Debbie the biggest threat for her strategic mindset and athleticism. At the Survivor Auction, Stephen bought a mystery Item for $140 dollars. The item turned out to be chicken hearts, much to everyone's horror. Like the others, Stephen conceited to Taj having the smartphone to call her family. Taj exiled herself to allow everyone to spend time with their loved ones. Stephen enjoyed the time with his brother. Despite the horrible start to the Immunity Challenge, Stephen won. Everything went as plan for that tribal, and Debbie was voted out. On the way back to camp, they informed Coach that Debbie has been targeting him. J.T selected Stephen to join him on reward. J.T. won immunity and Stephen became the swing vote between Erinn and Coach. Stephen ultimately voted out Coach.

Taj and Stephen decided to vote out J.T. if he didn't win immunity. However, he ended up winning it. Fearful of her winning immunity and taking J.T., Stephen convinced J.T. to turn on Taj. Stephen was afraid to win the Final Immunity Challenge, because he would break his promise to J.T., and Erinn wanted to take Stephen to the end as well. Thankfully, J.T. won immunity and honored his alliance with Stephen by taking him to the Final Tribal Council.

At the Final Tribal Council, Stephen pleaded his case to the jury by saying how much he had grown and he and J.T. had the same strategic mindset. After the Tribal Council, Stephen assumed that Sierra was the swing vote. At the reunion as the votes were being read, Stephen quickly realized that he was shut out by J.T. This was proven correct when J.T. won unanimously.

Survivor: Cambodia
Stephen was chosen in a public vote to compete on the second chance season, Survivor: Cambodia.

Post-Survivor

 * Stephen previously dated  contestant Courtney Yates.
 * Stephen currently writes blogs on Survivor for People.com
 * Fishbach also works on Survivor Know-it-alls with Rob Cesternino.
 * In Summer of 2009, Stephen appeared on the TVGuide special 'Survivor Millionaires: Where Are They Now?' during J.T. Thomas' segment.
 * On January 9, 2010, Stephen attended Survivor's 10-year anniversary party.
 * On April 12, 2015, Stephen performed former castmate J.T. Thomas' wedding ceremony.

Trivia

 * Stephen was the oldest male on Jalapao.
 * At 29 years old, Stephen is the youngest male castaway to be the oldest male member of their tribe.
 * Stephen is the only finalist to not receive Jury votes at a Final Two Tribal Council.
 * Coach Wade affectionately refers to Stephen as "The Wizard".
 * Every contestant Stephen voted for was successfully voted out.
 * Stephen lost 30 pounds after 39 days in Tocantins.
 * Stephen is one of the three castaways competing on to have previously reached 39 days in their previous season along with Kelly Wiglesworth and Woo Hwang.
 * Stephen is the only returnee from not to be on.
 * Stephen made it to final interviews of Caramoan, but didn't make the final cast.