Reality TV

Doug Kiker (2025), American Idol contestant

Doug Kiker was a contestant on season 18 of “American Idol,” remembered for performing with Rascal Flatts in the season finale.

The Vivienne (1992–2025), RuPaul's Drag Race UK star

The Vivienne was a British drag performer best known as the 2019 winner of “RuPaul's Drag Race UK” and competitor on the 2022 season of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars." 

Matt Byars (1987–2024), Real Housewives co-star

Matt Byars was a talent manager and PR agent best known for his appearances on the reality TV show “Real Housewives of Potomac.” 

Song Jae-lim (1985–2024), South Korean actor

Song Jae-lim was a South Korean model-turned-actor best known for his work on reality show “We Got Married” and the TV drama “Moon Embracing the Sun.” 

Sarah Danser (1990–2024), Naked and Afraid star

Sarah Danser was a reality TV personality known for her appearances in several seasons of “Naked and Afraid” and its spin-off, “Naked and Afraid XL.”

Frank Fritz (1963–2024), American Pickers co-star

Frank Fritz was the co-host of the popular antiques-focused reality TV show, “American Pickers.”

Kim Johnson (1944–2024), Survivor: Africa runner-up

Kim Johnson was a noted runner-up in “Survivor: Africa,” the 2001 third season of the popular reality competition TV show.

Lizzy Musi (1991–2024), star of Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings

Lizzy Musi was a professional race car driver and star of the reality series “Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings.” 

Sarah Becker (2024), The Real World: Miami star 

Sarah Becker was a therapist and comic book editor best known as a cast member of MTV’s “The Real World: Miami.” 

Nick Mavar, longtime deckhand on Deadliest Catch

Nick Mavar was a longtime deckhand on “Deadliest Catch” who worked on the F/V Northwestern, appearing in 16 seasons of the reality show.

Sonja Christopher (1937–2024), original Survivor contestant

Sonja Christopher was a contestant on the first season of “Survivor” in 2000 and the first person ever voted off the show.

Stephanie Sparks (1973–2024), golfer and The Big Break host

Stephanie Sparks was an amateur golf champion who hosted TV shows on the Golf Channel, such as the reality competition series “The Big Break.”  

Garrison Brown (1998–2024), son of Sister Wives stars

Garrison Brown was a son of Janelle and Kody Brown, stars of the TLC reality show “Sister Wives.”

Alec Musser (1973–2024), All My Children actor

Alec Musser was an actor known for roles in such TV shows and movies as “All My Children” and “Grown Ups.” 

Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell (1994–2023), Here Comes Honey Boo Boo costar

Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell was the daughter of June “Mama June” Shannon and the half-sister of Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, who appeared with her family on reality TV shows.

Brandi Mallory (1983–2023), Extreme Weight Loss star and influencer 

Brandi Mallory was a makeup artist who starred on the reality show “Extreme Weight Loss.” 

Charlie Robison (1964–2023), country singer and songwriter 

Charlie Robison was a Texas singer and songwriter whose country music singles included “I Want You Bad.” 

Jim Tom Hedrick (1940–2023), star of Moonshiners

Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick was a respected Appalachian distiller and fan favorite on the Discovery Channel’s reality television series, “Moonshiners.” 

Steve Harwell (1967–2023), lead singer of Smash Mouth

Steve Harwell was the co-founder and lead singer of Smash Mouth, best known for their hits “All Star,” “Walkin' on the Sun,” and their cover of the Monkees’ “I'm a Believer.”

“Dakota” Fred Hurt (1943–2023), Gold Rush reality TV star 

“Dakota” Fred Hurt was a gold prospector who starred on the Discovery Channel reality series “Gold Rush” and several of its spinoffs.

Jim Tweto (1954–2023), Flying Wild Alaska star 

Jim Tweto was a bush pilot who starred in the Discovery Channel reality series “Flying Wild Alaska.”

Anna Shay (1960–2023), Bling Empire star

Anna Shay was an heiress and socialite who starred on the Netflix reality series “Bling Empire.” 

Walter Royal (1957–2023), Iron Chef America winner  

Walter Royal was a North Carolina chef who won “Iron Chef America” in 2006 with his dishes made from ostrich.

Keith Nale (1960–2023), two-time Survivor contestant

Keith Nale was a contestant on “Survivor: San Juan del Sur” and returned for “Survivor: Cambodia.” 

C.J. Harris (1991–2023), “American Idol” contestant

C.J. Harris was a singer who placed sixth in the 2014 13th season of “American Idol.”

Stephan Bonnar (1977–2022), UFC Hall of Famer

Stephan Bonnar was a legendary Hall of Fame fighter in the UFC known for his fight against Forrest Griffin.

David Robinson (2022), “Dog’s Most Wanted” co-star   

David Robinson worked with Dog the Bounty Hunter and co-starred on his TV series “Dog’s Most Wanted.”

Dolores Hughes (2022), “Mema” from “Hollywood Hillbillies”   

Dolores Hughes , known as "Mema," starred on the 2014 reality TV series “Hollywood Hillbillies.”   

Aaron Carter (1987–2022), “Aaron’s Party” pop star

Aaron Carter was a pop star known for songs including “Aaron’s Party,” “That’s How I Beat Shaq.”

Gael Greene (1933–2022), restaurant critic and “Top Chef Masters” judge

Gael Greene was an influential food writer as the longtime restaurant critic for New York magazine.

Willie Spence (1999–2022), “American Idol” season 19 runner-up

Willie Spence was a singer who was the runner-up on season 19 of “American Idol.”

George Ward (1993–2022), “RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K.” star  

George Ward , also known as Cherry Valentine, was a star on the TV show “RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K.”

Randy Martin (2022), “Texas Flip N Move” star

Randy Martin was a professional home renovator and a star of the DIY Network’s reality show “Texas Flip N Move.”

Ryan Fellows (2022), “Street Outlaws: Fastest in America” star

Ryan Fellows was a cast member of the Discovery reality show “Street Outlaws: Fastest in America.”

Clay Jordan (1955–2022), “Survivor: Thailand” runner-up

Clay Jordan was the runner-up in “Survivor: Thailand,” the fifth season of the popular reality competition show.

Ralph Kiser (1965–2022), contestant on “Survivor: Redemption Island”

Ralph Kiser was a competitor on “Survivor: Redemption Island,” the show’s 22nd season.

Traci Braxton (1971–2022), R&B singer and reality TV star

Traci Braxton was an R&B singer who starred on the reality TV show “Braxton Family Values” along with her older sister, singer Toni Braxton.

Thomas Wells (1975–2021), former "X Factor" star

Thomas Wells was a singer who was a popular contestant on the talent show "X Factor."

Erik Cowie (2021), “Tiger King” zookeeper

Erik Cowie was a zookeeper at the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, featured in the hit Netflix docuseries “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness.”

Sarah Harding (1981–2021), singer with Girls Aloud

Sarah Harding was an actress, model, and singer with the British girl group Girls Aloud.

Gregg Leakes (1954–2021), businessman featured on “Real Housewives of Atlanta”

Gregg Leakes was a businessman who was the husband of NeNe Leakes, a star of “Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

Dolores Avery (1937–2021), mother of Steven Avery of “Making a Murderer”

Dolores Avery was the mother of Steven Avery, the subject of the 2015 Netflix true crime series “Making a Murderer.”

John Langley (1943–2021), creator of “Cops”

John Langley was a TV producer best known for creating the hit reality show “Cops.”

Mark Peel (1954–2021), Campanile chef who was a judge on “Top Chef”

Mark Peel was a celebrity chef who founded the Los Angeles restaurant Campanile and appeared on TV shows including “Top Chef” and “Hells’ Kitchen.”

Henry “Nacho” Laun (2021), reality star on “Wahlburgers”

Henry “Nacho” Laun was a star of the reality TV show “Wahlburgers” and a longtime friend of Mark and Donnie Wahlberg.

Alma Wahlberg (1942–2021), mother of Mark and Donnie Wahlberg

Alma Wahlberg was the mother of musicians and actors Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, and she was often featured on her family’s reality show, “Wahlburgers.”

Sunday Burquest (1971–2021), “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X” contestant

Sunday Burquest was a contestant on 2016’s “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X.”

Gerren Taylor (1990–2021), model and “Baldwin Hills” star

Gerren Taylor was a model and entrepreneur who starred on the BET reality series “Baldwin Hills.”

Linda Torres (2021), reality TV star on “Big Ang” and “Mob Wives”

Linda Torres was featured on the reality TV shows “Mob Wives and its spin-off, “Big Ang.”