Video links:
- Russell's official CBS bio page for Survivor: Redemption Island
- Russell's CBS pre-game interview (on YouTube)
- Russell Hantz on facebook
- Russell's official CBS bio pages for: Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains and Samoa
Collection of images from the pre-game and circa Ep1-era footage provided with the cast release videos:
Vidcap gallery: Click on thumbnails to expand; use arrow keys to navigate between large pics.
TV Guide Channel preview:
"Rob could win Survivor. He could win it. These people would give it to him. Russell? Good luck."
CBS cast assessment video:
"Boston Rob is fascinating, in that he started as a villain. He was despised by people. And somehow, he transformed into a hero. The good news for both Rob and Russell and everybody else is even when you're voted out, you're not out this season. Redemption Island awaits, and one of those guys -- or girls -- is gonna come back into the game."
Vidcap gallery: Click on thumbnails to expand; use arrow keys to navigate between large pics.
From his official CBS bio page:
"Russell Hantz was a first time castaway only two years ago, but has quickly become one of the most notorious villains to every play Survivor. He returns to Survivor: Redemption Island more prepared than ever before. 'I'm ready for this. I'm more ready for this than I ever have been.'
As a self-made millionaire who built his business by working hard, speaking his mind and stepping on anyone who got in his way, Russell will do anything to win the game of Survivor. He is known for back-stabbing his allies, lying and cheating, but he is proud of his title as a villain. 'The image that I have as a villain, that's fine with me because this is how I play the game.' Only time will tell if this strategy will pay off or if once again he will come up short.
What does he think of Survivor: Redemption Island? 'It's gonna be history. Survivor history!'"
In his weekly EW column on Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, Jeff Probst uses the occasion of Boston Rob's Episode 7 boot to share the following chilling vision of things to come. For the record, the answers to the questions in the last paragraph are: "No," and "No, but insulted might come closer":
"My therapist says that time heals everything, but I'm not sure how much time it will take to heal this loss. I miss him already. I miss the battle. Russell vs. Boston Rob will go down as one of the greatest battles of all time. I want them back. Now. We should do an entire season centered around Boston Rob vs. Russell. Give them some war clubs, put them in a gladiator ring
...At the other end of the arena, Russell would stand alone. No friends. No allies.
The promos are written, the audience would be there. Right? If I told you right now that next season we'd have Russell and Rob back again, wouldn't you be intrigued?"
Because you probably wouldn't know who he was otherwise:
"Russell Hantz's personality speaks for itself when he proudly displays a missing tooth that he refuses to fix! This married father of four is visually memorable. Standing tall at only 5'6", he is built like a brick house with a bald head. At 200 pounds of pure muscle, Russell's solid figure and sharp tongue has helped him carve out a multi-million dollar business in the oil-tanking industry.
A huge Survivor fan, this self-made man built his business from scratch by working hard, speaking his mind and stepping on anyone who got in his way. Russell won't apologize for his style of game play either saying, "I'm not going out there to make friends. I'm just not doing it. But everybody is going to think I'm their best friend, because I'm just such a lovable character."
Russell can't wait to get in the competition and show "these morons how it's done" and he "plans to play the game dirtier, smarter and more cunning than anyone can imagine." It is those skills that have allowed him to achieve his biggest accomplishment in life and that is being able to provide for his family.
Russell is married with four children and currently resides in Dayton, Texas. His birth date is October 10th."
