If you're a fan of Survivor, you've probably heard Jeff Probst shout "drop your buffs" at least a thousand times. But there's so much more to this Kansas-born host than just his role on the hit show. Since 2000, Jeff has been the face of Survivor, bringing his signature enthusiasm and charisma to every episode. When the cameras stop rolling, Jeff enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, Lisa Ann Russell, and their blended family.
The Love Story of Jeff Probst and Lisa Ann Russell
Jeff and Lisa tied the knot in 2011 in a charming and intimate ceremony in Los Angeles. At the time, Jeff was 50 and Lisa was 40. This marriage marked the second time around for both of them. Before Lisa, Jeff was married to psychotherapist Shelley Wright from 1996 to 2001. Lisa, on the other hand, was previously married to Mark-Paul Gosselaar, the beloved actor from Saved by the Bell, from 1996 to 2010. Despite their past relationships, Jeff and Lisa have built a strong and loving partnership.
In a 2012 interview with Larry King, Jeff expressed his gratitude for finding the right partner in Lisa. "I married the right person," he said. "I’ve always thought I’d have this family, and this great family unit because that’s what I came from." Their union wasn't just about love; it was about creating a harmonious and supportive environment for their blended family.
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Jeff and Lisa's meeting was as serendipitous as it gets. They first crossed paths at a Christmas party hosted by Survivor creator Mark Burnett. Surrounded by other A-list celebrities like Barbra Streisand and Paris Hilton, the two instantly connected. Reflecting on their relationship, Jeff told Larry King that marriage has been nothing short of "awesome."
Meet Jeff Probst's Stepchildren: Michael and Ava
When Jeff joined Lisa's family, he became a father figure to her children from her previous marriage to Mark-Paul Gosselaar—Michael and Ava. The transition wasn't as challenging as one might expect. In fact, Jeff embraced his role as a stepdad with open arms. "As weird as it sounds to say, I was dropped into their lives and now I feel like a dad," Jeff told HuffPost in 2013. "It doesn’t feel weird when they call me dad and it doesn’t take away from the fact that they have another dad—their biological dad—but it doesn’t lessen the impact I feel as a dad."
The Probst-Russell household operates with mutual respect and understanding. Jeff, Lisa, Mark-Paul, and his current wife, Catriona McGinn, all work together to ensure that Michael and Ava are surrounded by love and support. It's a testament to how far a blended family can go when everyone is on the same page.
Jeff often shares heartwarming stories about his blended family. During an interview with Larry King, he recalled the playful way his stepchildren adapted to calling him "dad." "Sometimes it would be dad, sometimes it would be Jeff Dad 2, sometimes it would be D2," he shared, highlighting the fun and lighthearted dynamic within their household.
Could Lisa Join the Survivor Cast?
Lisa Ann Russell isn't just a former model turned actress; she's also a talented performer who has appeared in films like Kounterfeit and Sinbad: The Battle of the Dark Knights. Naturally, fans have wondered if she'd ever step into the spotlight on Survivor. In 2013, during the season of Survivor: Blood vs. Water, which featured family members competing against one another, Jeff was asked if he'd vote his wife off the island.
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"It depends on the situation, but absolutely," Jeff told Entertainment Weekly. Despite his competitive nature, Jeff and Lisa remain deeply in love. Their chemistry was on full display when Lisa cohosted his short-lived talk show, The Jeff Probst Show, in 2013. Fans loved their playful banter and genuine connection.
Jeff Probst Opens Up About Life at Home
Though Jeff isn't one to overshare on social media, he has occasionally pulled back the curtain on his personal life. In a 2018 interview with GQ, he addressed a common misconception about his schedule. "The biggest misconception is that I’m gone all the time," he said. "And that’s because Survivor is on almost all year round, but we shoot the show in very concentrated periods. Each season shoots for 39 days. If you’re there a week early, it’s like seven to eight weeks for each shoot. So over the summer, I’m gone almost four months. But that’s it. Then I’m home."
Jeff also revealed a touching moment when Lisa came to his aid during a medical scare. In 2020, he appeared on Live With Kelly and Ryan to discuss an episode of transient global amnesia he experienced. "I was booking travel for my wife and I to go to Vegas, and it gets to your wife’s birth date and I went: 'What is my wife’s birthday?' I couldn’t figure it out, so I texted my wife and said can you call me," he shared. Lisa quickly realized something was wrong and helped him navigate the situation.
