Survivor
Breakout Character in this series.As this applies to the character, not the performer, Reality Show contestants are a special case due to the way shows like Survivor deliberately mix reality with fiction, creating a narrative and presenting contestants as characters. A contestant who gets a much larger role within the franchise for non-gameplay reasons may still qualify as a Breakout Character. A performer whose reality show appearance boosts their wider media career wouldn't qualify.
Every so often, characters who only make it a short way or fall short of winning tend to become fan favorites. This usually results in them being called back for an All-Star season.
Spoilers will be left unmarked, so beware!
- From the inaugural season, Colleen Haskell, who was the first one to be called the "sweetheart" on the show at the time. Interestingly while this nickname is somewhat unfitting given her Deadpan Snarker tendencies, those same habits are what made her endearing both to the viewers at the time (who hated Richard) and the modern viewers (who just find her charming and funny, as well as a counterbalance to Richard's Awesome Ego)
- Elisabeth Filarski from The Australian Outback for out sweethearting Colleen, though less so after she Took a Level in Jerkass as a co-host on The View.
- "Boston" Rob Mariano, from Marquesas was the first utilized example of this trope. Despite only coming 10th in his original season, he was asked back again for All-Stars where his game essentially made him the face of Survivor -he was even invited back for Heroes vs. Villains, being voted out again just before the jury stages, and again in Redemption Island where he unfortunately becomes something of a Creator's Pet.
- Andrew Savage from Pearl Islands, the leader of the Morgan tribe who continually lost challenges while keeping a positive face and a winning attitude, voted out thanks to the outcasts twist. Though he's less so in ''Cambodia''.
- The even greater example of this in Pearl Islands is obviously Rupert Boneham, who was one of the most unique and outlandish individuals to play the game at that point. His popularity earn him a spot on both All-Stars and Heroes vs. Villains, placing better on those seasons than he did on this one, as well as his own million dollars on America's Tribal Council.
- Eliza Orlins from Vanuatu, perhaps one of the most notable examples of the Plucky Girl on the show - she went to every Tribal Council in danger, and always managed to escape by the skin of her teeth, and became the poster child for resilience. At least, until...
- Stephenie LaGrossa from Palau basically became the face of Survivor in 2005, despite only coming 7th in her season. Stephenie was the sole survivor of her tribe's utter annihilation (which would forever henceforth be called "Ulonging" after her tribe) at the hands of Koror, and would be known for years on end as "America's Sweetheart". She was even invited back in Guatemala, where she was the runner-up.
- Cirie Fields from Panama was the epitome of the woman on the couch, a fan of the show who was, at the start, scared of leaves. Come the end of the show, she's become the face of strategy on Survivor, returned for Micronesia and Heroes vs. Villains, and basically revolutionised the way people strategise on Survivor. Even coming back a fourth time for Game Changers hasn't diminished her popularity, unlike with Ozzy, Rob, and Rupert.
- Yau-Man Chan from Fiji, the elderly Asian-American computer engineer who was deceptively good in challenges and was one of the nicest and child-friendly contestants that had been on Survivor, which earned him a return to Micronesia.
- Malcolm Freberg from Philippines, Caramoan, and Game Changers has also become one due to his looks, his laidback personality and the fact that he's a true triple threat who also happens to be a super fan of the game. His elimination on Game Changers caused so much rage that fans demanded him to play for a fourth time.
- Spencer from Cagayan due to him being the Only Sane Man on a dysfunctional tribe. This is later proved even more postmerge as he becomes a underdog who despite being outnumbered has made it to the endgame. Though he's considered less so in Cambodia.
- Keith Nale from San Juan Del Sur became popular for his humorous personality, as well as his unexpected challenge prowess, especially in challenges involving balls. His popularity earned him a return for Cambodia, where despite being underedited, remained popular throughout the season.
- Kelley Wentworth from Cambodia for being a competent badass Action Girl, making it to the final four despite being an underdog for most of the season. Doubly so since her return announcement was at first met with... lukewarm reception at best.
- Tai Trang is probably the most popular contestant on Kaoh Rong. He has a very sizable fan base, due to being a sweet, charismatic and humorous person. He even managed to make Caleb likable in the fans eyes thanks to their unlikely friendship, and he's the fan favorite to win Kaoh Rong on the Survivor Wiki Poll. He even won a fan favourite-esque prize from Sia. Mark, his adopted chicken, is also quite popular.
- Aubry Bracco, also from Kaoh Rong, was fairly popular too. She had run the show with Cydney together post-merge, was strategically savvy, made really big moves, and was one of the top contenders for the title of Sole Survivor in the eyes of many fans. She was also well liked for being a lovable nerdy underdog that people could relate to - a lot of people were shocked that she lost at final tribal.
