Russell Hantz: Best Survivor Villain? Survivor Samoa Cast

by Amy Judd | September 17, 2009 at 12:41 pm

6002 views | 0 Recommendations | 9 comments

Russell Hantz is being promoted as the Best Survivor Villain ever in this season of Survivor Samoa, that was filmed on Upolu, one of the two major islands in Samoa.

This is the 19th season of Survivor.

Russell Hantz however, seems to be bent on claiming the title of best survivor villain for himself and will do everything he can to be hated and loathed by everyone.

Hantz is an oil company owner and some of his exploits include lying about being affected by Hurricane Katrina, sabotaging his own tribe by dumping out fresh water and burning peoples' socks.

Hantz's whole strategy hinges on the fact that he will be able to manipulate everyone once they are in a weakened state with lack of water and food. And socks apparently. Except his team will be so weak they won't be able to win immunity challenges.

The strategy is probably idiotic, but will undoubtedly make for great television, if not a happy tribe. And it might have more of an effect than this season's opening twist.

When the 20 contestants first arrive on the island, they are asked to pick a tribe leader from the other 10 people that they haven't yet talked to. That leader then becomes the sole decision maker for the whole tribe.

Probst calls this "classic Survivor structure," although some would call it meddling that makes the game more artificial.

The Cast of Survivor Samoa:

Dave Ball - Fitness Instructor

Betsy Bolan - Police Officer

Mike Borassi - Personal chef

Ben Browning - Mixologist (bartender)

Marisa Calihan - Student

Erik Cardona - Bartender

Brett Clouser - T-shirt Designer

John Fincher - Rocket Scientist

Yasmin Glies - Hairstylist

Russell Hantz - Oil Company Owner

Elizabeth Kim - Attorney

Laura Morett - Office Manager

Monica Padilla - Law Student

Jaison Robinson - Law Student

Kelly Sharbaugh - Hairstylist

Russell Swan - Attorney

Ashley Trainer - Spa Sales

Mick Trimming - Doctor

Shannon Waters - Sales

Natalie White - Pharmaceutical Sales

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Leo Colby (not verified)

at 12:45 on September 22nd, 2009

I think Russ is a plant put there by the network to stir things up and create more interest in the show and boost ratings. I cannot find anything about him owning a specific "Oil Company" on the internet, which is usually possible these days.

Michael Reynolds (not verified)

at 23:14 on September 25th, 2009

Of course Russell is a network plant--but it's even worse than that. Think about it. What's his incentive to do it? He knows he won't win the million. Clearly, the network is going to pay him, under the table, for his evil 'act.' And that is ever proven, it'll be the end of 'Survivor' (which would be too bad)

Bo Jangles (not verified)

at 21:55 on October 1st, 2009

He's certainly a plant. Have they ever planted an immunity idol that close to camp and that easy to find? Really, the guy's not clairvoyante. CBS has really sunk low to try and raise Survivor's weak ratings.

Former survivor fan (not verified)

at 16:17 on October 15th, 2009

I felt from the beginning Russel is a plant. How could a large group of supposedly intelligent people be so easily influenced by a smarmy guy like him. I would think burning socks would wake anyone up!! Ugh... Flashforward is my choice of show to watch.

P.M. Andress (not verified)

at 16:49 on October 17th, 2009

Is RUSSELL H. real? Russell Hantz is a figment of CBS’s imagination! There is no information or data in relation to a R. Hantz prior to August 2009. And there is NO Russell Hantz Oil Company in the USA period. And there is no oil company, oil distributor, oil storage, oil transportation or even oil services company registered in the USA. As, or in any combination of the Russell Hantz name, or any name related to the proclaimed location of the so called Russell Hantz. Re: Dayton Oil, Dayton Texas Oil, West Texas Oil, Huston Oil or any other combination of similar names. In fact, there are no oil or oil related companies in TX, OK, AR or LA that are owned by anyone 36 years of age! RUSSELL H. is a CBS plant, an actor? A has been stunt-man? Who ever? But he IS NOT a 36 year old oil company owner named Russell Hantz!!! SHAME ON YOU CBS!!!

Survivor Rocks (not verified)

at 21:11 on November 5th, 2009

Lol, listen to all of you Survivor haters... Typical.Survivor rocks, and Russell makes the show damn interesting.

Anti-Russell (not verified)

at 00:55 on November 17th, 2009

To the poster above. YOU suck. You suck a goat's ass and it shows. Russell Hantz wouldn't have the sense to pour piss out of a boot! He's still there because of DUMB LUCK and of course, the producers clued him in on some things. Survivor won't last long now. When they went out of their way to alienate and insult their audeience and slap them in the face with putting up that butt-ugly troll who obviously has a severe mental disorder, then you know it's over.

voterepublican (not verified)

at 18:13 on November 19th, 2009

russell is by far the best survivor contestent. i think its funny that he uses the hurricane as his lie, just like the democratic party lied and refused to take blame for the mess from katrina. their governor and mayor were to conceded and their ego was too large to do what was required by the govt and fema...ask for help. they felt if they asked it would make the bush admin look good like 9 11 did. then alot of the evacuee trash took advantage of all us hard working americans. russell has gotten far, its a game people if u dont like him turn the channel

Marcial (not verified)

at 07:39 on November 20th, 2009

I don't think Russ is a plant. It doesn't take a genius to find them; just some creativity and motivation which Russ has a lot of. For this season, I think the hidden immunity idol was meant to be found easily and in the camp area! First one was in a tree (right next to the camp fire) and the second on was under the foot bridge and the third on was under a rock. Everyone else on Survivor were being lazy (well except for Eric, the only other person to find an immunity idol). I mean come on people! Get off your asses and look for it!!I have to say this season is the most entertaining and Russ should be one of "the best ever" that IS if he wins it all! I'm a big fan of Russell, but I don't think he'll win it all b/c he is such a big threat. I see a blindside a comin....