Rudy Boesch, Navy Seal and Survivor Contestant

Rudy Boesch, a Navy Seal veteran who appeared on the first Survivor season had died.  He was 91. Known by his first name to viewers. Rudy was salty but lovable. He clashed with seemingly privileged young and beautiful people as the show featuring strangers living together on an island was launched.  

Rudy's colorful personality, kind of a living "Popeye", was instrumental in making the show a success. It still airs with a two seasons every year after almost two decades.  Each season has a new set of contestants.

Survivor was one of the first of the so-called reality shows featuring competition amongst it's contestants.  It inspired a glut of similar shows like The Apprentice, which was perhaps helped Donald Trump cast an image as a tough boss.