Jeff Probst (born November 4, 1962) is an American television personality, best known for his role, since the year 2000, as the host of the successful U.S. version of the Survivor reality show franchise. Probst won an Emmy award in 2001 for his work on the series.
In addition to Survivor, Probst previously hosted the FX network's original half-hour show dedicated to answering viewer letters, Backchat. He went on to serve as host of the VH1 series Rock & Roll Jeopardy! (a pop music twist of the original Jeopardy!) and was a correspondent for the syndicated program Access Hollywood, during which he travelled a reported 300,000 miles. He has also written the screenplay for and directed an independent film, released in 2001, called Finder's Fee. Jeff also does voice work for the animated television program Fillmore, as Vice-Princpal Raycliff. People magazine named Probst one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2001.
Probst was born in Wichita, Kansas, but grew up primarily in Seattle, Washington. He attended Seattle Pacific University, and formerly worked at Boeing Motion Picture/Television studio as a producer and narrator of marketing videos. Probst was divorced from his spouse of five years, Shelley Wright, in 2001. In his spare time, Jeff is active in the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
As of 2005, Jeff is dating a Survivor: Vanuatu contestant, 24-year-old Julie Berry.
Probst is also an Ordained Minister, and he re-married his parents for their 35th wedding anniversary.
