Jeffrey Lee "Jeff" Probst (born November 4, 1962) is an American game show host, executive producer and a reporter. He is best known for his role as the host of the U.S. version of the reality show Survivor.

Biography

Probst was born in Wichita, Kansas, but grew up primarily in Bellevue, Washington. After graduating Newport High School in 1980, he attended Seattle Pacific University, and worked at Boeing Motion Picture/Television studio as a producer and narrator of marketing videos. Probst was divorced from his wife of five years, Shelley Wright, in 2001. In his spare time, Jeff is active in the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Career

In addition to Survivor, Probst previously hosted the FX network's original half-hour show dedicated to answering viewer letters, Backchat (1996). Probst's second television exposure was that of the host of the VH1 series Rock & Roll Jeopardy!, which he hosted for three seasons (from 1998 to 2001), and was a correspondent for the syndicated program Access Hollywood, during which he traveled 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-Principal Raycliff. People magazine named Probst one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2001. He often contributes to Jeopardy! by giving Survivor related clues from the show's venues, and has twice appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy!, first in 2001 and again in 2003.

He is also a frequent guest star on the sketch show MADtv, guest starring once a season since the show's 9th season.

In May 2008, Probst confirmed that he has signed on to host 4 more seasons of Survivor, putting him through season 20.

On October 20, 2008, TV Guide reported that Probst is developing a new reality TV series for CBS called Live For The Moment [1] that will feature people with terminal illnesses being taken on "the last adventure of their life" before they die.Jeff Probst Hopes to "Inspire" with New Reality Series" TV Guide. October 20, 2008. Retrieved on October 24 2008.

On April 1, 2009, Probst appeared on the CBS reality television special I Get That a Lot, in which he worked a cash register.

Probst is also rumored to be the top candidate to play super-hero 'Weapons-Man' in the upcoming Brent Barsness film.

Personal life

In 2005, Probst began dating 26-year-old Survivor: Vanuatu contestant Julie Berry, an East Carolina University graduate who was an athletic scholarship softball player. In a March 2008 interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jeff revealed that they are no longer together.Nepales, Ruben V. (March 9, 2008). "Jeff Probst has survived and seen ’em all". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved on September 25, 2008.

Probst was ordained as a minister by the Universal Life Church in 1999. He remarried his parents for their 35th wedding anniversary.USA WEEKEND Magazine

Probst keeps the snuffer that he uses to snuff the torches when a contestant is voted out of the game as a souvenir after every season of Survivor.

Probst has stated that he is a superfan of The Howard Stern Show. He participated in a celebrity superfan trivia contest on Stern's show on Sirius Satellite Radio with Jimmy Kimmel and Jerry O'Connell. Probst lost the contest to Jimmy Kimmel. He has also dated singer, actress Kristin Chenoweth.

Awards/Nominations

On September 21, 2008 Probst won the first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program.'Mad Men,' '30 Rock' take top Emmy awards
On September 20, 2009 he again won the same award.