S19: Samoa
S25: PhilippinesChallenges: MPF percentile
NA
Seasons: 2 | Days played: 25 | Wins: 0 | Jury: 0
- Survivor 19: Samoa (2009) - 14th place, 7th out.
- Medically evacuated in Episode 6, "This Is the Man Test" (Day 15).
- Survivor 25: Philippines (2012) - 15th place, 4th out.
- Voted out in Episode 4, "Create A Little Chaos" (Day 10).
Russell Swan on social media: twitter
| Challenge stats | Tribal council stats | Jury stats | Overall stats | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | ChW | ChA | ChW% | VFB | VAP | TCA | TC% | wTCR | JVF | TotJ | JV% | SurvSc | SurvAv |
| S19: Samoa | 0.88 | 1.04 | 0.84 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.28 | 1.17 | - | - | - | 1.10 | 1.95 |
| S25: Philippines | 0.00 | 0.95 | 0.00 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0.69 | 2.63 | - | - | - | 0.69 | 2.63 |
| Career | 0.88 | 1.99 | 0.44 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0.77 | 2.32 | - | - | - | 1.21 | 2.75 |
Russell Swan - Performance ranks
Tribal: VFB% percentile
46%
Tribal: rVAP percentile
56%
Challenges: MPF percentile
NA
Tribal: VFB% percentile
77%
Tribal: rVAP percentile
48%
Performance ranks are a quick visual measure of the contestant's season vs. historical data from all prior contestants, in three basic (scorable) categories:
1. Performance in individual challenges (MPF), as a measure of "physical game";
2. Ability to vote people out consistently (VFB%, or VFB/TCA), or "strategic game"; and
3. Ability to avoid being voted against (rVAP, or TCA-VAP) - which scales better than a percentage would - for "social/strategic game."
See also: Full glossary for all these abbreviations.
Russell Swan - Challenge record
Tribal/team challenge record (5-for-6; 1 sit-out):
- Samoa Ep. 1 IC: "Yank Your Hank" - Crosses barriers, hauls the crate; Galu wins.
- Samoa Ep. 2 RC/IC: "Schmergen Brawl" - Gets kicked in the pit, Galu wins again.
- Samoa Ep. 3 RC/IC: "Sea Crates" - Blocker for Galu, Galu wins.
- Samoa Ep. 4 IC: "Well Stacked" - Sits out, and Galu finally loses.
- Samoa Ep. 5 RC: "Samoa Smoothies" - Downs his smoothie quickly, Galu wins.
- Samoa Ep. 5 IC: "Sack Attack" - Holds up the basket throughout, Galu wins.
- [Samoa Ep. 6 RC: "Roll With It" - Russell collapses, challenge ends, Russell is medically evacuated. Challenge not counted.]
Individual challenge record (0-for-0):
- Samoa: None.
Hero challenge/ duel record (1-for-1): (Mean % finish: 100%)
- [Samoa Ep. 1 RC: "Chief's Choice" - Hero challenge, picks the participants as chief, but Galu loses.]
- Samoa Ep. 4 RC: "Bocce in a Box" - First-round tosser for Galu, Galu wins.
Tribal/team challenge record (0-for-4):
- Philippines Ep. 1 RC/IC: "Share the Wealth" - Does running stage, Matsing loses.
- Philippines Ep. 2 RC/IC: "Manila Folders" - Hauls sleds, works the puzzle. Matsing loses.
- Philippines Ep. 3 RC/IC: "Deep In Thought" - Struggles in the diving, Matsing loses.
- Philippines Ep. 4 RC/IC: "Swing Break" - Matsing loses. Again.
Individual challenge record (0-for-0):
- Philippines: None.
Hero challenge/ duel record (0-for-0):
- Philippines: None.
Career totals - challenges
| Wins: | 5 |
| Played: | 10 |
| Win%: | 0.50 |
| Sat out: | 1 |
| Wins: | 0 |
| Played: | 0 |
| Win%: | - |
| Mean % Finish: | - |
| Wins: | 1 |
| Played: | 1 |
| Win%: | 1.00 |
| Mean % Finish: | 100% |
Russell Swan - Tribal Council record
Idols held/played (0/0):
- Samoa: None.
VFB - Votes for the person booted (1/1):
| Tribal | Voted | Boot (totals) | VFB? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep4 | Yasmin | Yasmin Giles (voted out, 8-2) | Yes |
| 1 | TOTALS | 1 | |
VAP - Votes against (0):
- Samoa: None. Russell was medevacced before Galu attended their second Tribal Council.
Jury votes made (0/0):
- Samoa: None.
Idols held/played: (0/0)
- Philippines: None.
VFB - Votes for the person booted (3/4):
| Tribal | Voted | Boot (totals) | VFB? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep1 | Zane | Zane Knight (voted out, 5-1) | Yes |
| Ep2 | Roxy | Roxy Morris (voted out, 4-1) | Yes |
| Ep3 | Angie | Angie Layton (voted out, 3-1) | Yes |
| Ep4 | Malcolm | Russell Swan (voted out, 2-1) | - |
| 4 | TOTALS | 3 | |
VAP - Votes against (4):
- Philippines, Ep. 1: One vote, from Zane.
- Philippines, Ep. 3: One vote, from Angie.
- Philippines, Ep. 4: Two votes, from Malcolm and Denise (voted out, 2-1).
Jury votes made (0/0):
- Philippines: None.
Career totals - Tribal Council
| Idols found: | 0 |
| Idols played: | 0 |
| Votes voided: | - |
| VFB: | 4 |
| Tribals: | 5 |
| VAP: | 4 |
| Made: | 0 |
| For winners: | - |
| Received: | - |
Russell Swan - Pictures
-
Samoa intro shot -
Samoa intro shot -
Paddling in, Day 1 -
Galu, finally arrived -
Reflecting on being selected as chief -
Starting line, Ep1 RC hero challenge -
I was proud of Erik helping us catch up! -
Watching the balance beam portion -
The losing Galus -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 IC -
Starting line -
Hauling the crate -
Galu wins! -
Starting line, Ep2 RC/IC -
Watching John shoot -
Getting clipped by Ben -
Galu wins! -
Forced to choose a Galu to visit Foa Foa -
Starting line, Ep3 RC/IC -
Getting started on the puzzle -
Galu wins -
Defending his choice of comfort items over a tarp -
Talking about the Probst-free Ep4 Bocce ball RC -
Pre-challenge stand-off -
Watching Dave take the final shot -
Good news! Shambo is a chicken expert -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 IC -
Galu lost!? -
Monica really blew that challenge for us -
Erik says everyone's voting Yasmin -
Galu, Ep4 Tribal Council -
Talking to Probst -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep5 RC -
Ready to go -
Finishing his smoothie before Hantz -
Watching the final round -
Galu barbecue time -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep5 IC -
Starting line -
Still holding up the net -
Russ's final challenge win -
A rainbow! Good times ahead for Galu, Ep6 -
Talking about doing extra for the tribe during the rainstorm -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep6 RC -
Listening to Probst -
Rolling the giant ball -
John guides Russ to his spot -
Probst calls time out -
Getting tended to by Medical -
Getting pulled from the game, Day 15
-
Philippines intro shot -
Philippines intro shot -
Pre-game interview -
With bamboo, in camp -
Staying hydrated -
Post-first challenge -
Pulling sleds, Ep2 IC -
Puzzle stage, Ep2 IC -
'Cookies' - Matsing's Ep2 Tribal Council visit -
Barely hanging on, Ep4 IC -
Aw, what?! -
Second-time player, first-time snuffee
Russell Swan - Interviews
Pre-game interviews
- Andy Dehnart at RealityBlurred (9/14/09): "Russell Swan: 'I don't want them to think about uses of grey matter at all'"
Post-game interviews
- Gordon Holmes at MoreWhatnot.com (10/23/09): "Castaway Interview: Russell Swan"
- Andy Dehnart at RealityBlurred (10/23/09): "Russell Swan: 'My memory is completely different than what I saw on TV'"
- Dalton Ross at EW.com (10/25/09): "Russell says he was 'pissed' at Jeff Probst for pulling him from the game"
- Eric Goldman at IGN.com (10/28/09): "Survivor: Samoa Interview - Russell Swan"
Pre-game interviews
- Gordon Holmes at MoreWhatnot.com (9/5/12): "Pre-game Interview: Russell Swan"
Post-game interviews
- Rob Cesternino at RHAP (10/11/12): "Russell Swan on Coping with the Losses of Survivor: Philippines"
- Gordon Holmes at MoreWhatnot.com (10/11/12): "Survivor: Philippines Castaway Russell: ‘I’m Just Mad…Humiliated’"
- Daniel Fienberg at HitFix.com (10/13/12): "Russell Swan talks Survivor: Philippines"
- Steve Helling at People (10/14/12): "Russell Swan: Being On Survivor Brought On Depression"
Russell Swan - Bios
Excerpts from his CBS.com Survivor: Samoa bio page (8/27/09):
"At 5’11” and 220 'semi-solid' pounds, this attorney spends his working hours suing companies and individuals who violate environmental laws. In addition to practicing law, Russell enjoys spending time with his wife and five-year-old daughter and watching independent films.
Growing up in Pittsburgh, Russell’s father fell victim to layoffs at a local steel mill and struggled to support his family. Forced to move into Section 8 housing, his parents eventually divorced but the separation did not weaken any of his relationships, including the one he shared with his parents. Russell’s hero is his dad whom he says, 'really loved his family and was a perfect example of what a husband should be to his wife, and what a dad should be to his child.'
Despite tumultuous circumstances (or as a result of), Russell has been attracted to jobs with responsibilities ranging from environmental protection, minority youth education advocacy and representation for homeless individuals. He is a dedicated father and a loving husband and describes a perfect day as spending time with his daughter and ending the day by 'talking' privately with his wife.
A passionate man, Russell cannot stand hearing over-generalizations about specific groupings of people and avoids discussing topics relating to race and sexuality because he feels that others usually have a hard time dealing with his conversation style.
Always prepared to joke and laugh at himself, Russell is willing to go to drastic lengths for a million dollars in order to win including making a vow to cut off his dreadlocks if he wins the title of sole Survivor.
Currently, Russell resides in Glenside, Pa. His birthday is February 17."
Excerpts from his CBS.com Survivor: Philippines bio page (8/22/12):
"Personal Claim to Fame: Being a good Dad.
Inspiration in Life: My dad because he was a very ordinary guy, but a damn good dad. He really loved his family and was a perfect example of what a husband should be to his wife, and what a dad should be to his child.
Hobbies: Riding my motorcycle, mountain biking and skiing.
If You Could Have 3 Things on The Island What Would They Be and Why? I would bring my 'Terrible Towel' because I’m an avid Steelers fan and I’m always looking for converts. That’s it!
Reason for Being on Survivor: First, the game kicked my butt and I want payback. Second, I want to show people that failure doesn’t always mean the end.
Why You Think You’ll 'Survive' Survivor: I bring strength for the physically demanding challenges. I’m cunning – I know how to get my way without being overly confrontational. And, I have a sense of humor. I love making people laugh.
Why You Think You Will Be the Sole Survivor: Because I’ve already tried the failure route. I’m gonna take a different path and win this time!"
From his EW.com pre-game interview, by Dalton Ross:
"For many — including host Jeff Probst — Russell Swan’s exit from Survivor: Samoa was the scariest Survivor moment ever, as dehydration caused Swan’s eyes to roll back in his head as he lost consciousness. 'That situation broke me,' the 45-year-old Swan told EW.com while on location. 'I’ve had challenges in my life before, but nothing like that. It challenged the very core of who I was. I always thought, if nothing else, I can always depend on my physical prowess. And after eight applications, waiting 10 years, I finally get on the show only to get carried out on my back. Worst thing I could have ever imagined.'"