Keith Nale, who was identified for his appearances within the Survivor franchise, has died at age 62.
“He handed away this afternoon,” the CBS alum’s son, Wes Nale, confirmed to Leisure Tonight on Tuesday, April 18. “He’d been battling most cancers for the previous few months and we discovered about it in January.”
Keith’s brother, Kevin Nale, additionally spoke out on his sibling’s passing. “A life taken means too quickly!” he advised the outlet.
Keith made his actuality TV debut on the twenty ninth season of the CBS collection, Survivor: San Juan del Sur, in 2014, the place he performed alongside his son, Wes. Whereas he by no means turned a core member of a long-term alliance, Keith managed to make all of it the best way to the ultimate 4 earlier than being voted out in the future earlier than the Last Tribal Council. He returned to the sport the next 12 months for Survivor: Cambodia, the place he progressed till castmate Kelley Wentworth gained immunity and he was despatched dwelling for a second time.
Following information of his loss of life, Keith’s former Survivor castmates took to social media to mourn the lack of their costar.
“Keith – a person with the purest coronary heart, who introduced humor into moments the place it was wanted most,” Wentworth, who competed alongside Keith in each San Juan del Sur and Cambodia, wrote via Twitter on Tuesday. “I’m grateful I had the chance to satisfy Keith & share reminiscences collectively on the seashores of Nicaragua & Cambodia. My coronary heart is with your complete Nale household. This can be a devastating loss.”
Jeremy Collins, for his half — who additionally starred alongside the previous fireplace captain in each video games — tweeted: “My condolences to the Big D, Wes, Austin and entire Nale family. You can be missed Keith however your legacy will stay on. Relaxation in energy my firefighter/survivor brother. #RIPOtis.”
Whereas the Louisiana native wasn’t identified for his technique, he turned a fan favourite participant and prided himself on enjoying an trustworthy sport. In December 2014. After he was despatched dwelling from San Juan del Sur, Keith opened up about competing in his 50s alongside a lot youthful castmates.
“They have been impressed, being I used to be 53. Now granted that’s not 93, however that’s not 23 both,” the truth present alum shared throughout an interview with UpRoxx on the time. “And I mentioned ‘Man, they have been impressed with a few of the challenges.’ They mentioned, ‘Man, I couldn’t have held on that pole for an hour and a half.’ They have been all behind me, an incredible bunch of fellows. They wished me to win it and, , carry it dwelling to Louisiana. However that simply didn’t occur.”
He continued: “However hey, I acquired a bunch of texts final night time. …. They mentioned, ‘Fourth place is nice, however you’re so shut you’ll be able to see it, what I imply.’ I need to say, ‘Properly heck, I’d fairly are available 10th than fourth or I’d fairly are available 15th than fourth,’ however not likely. You simply really feel like that in the meanwhile.”
When he returned to Cambodia for season 31, Keith defined why he selected to return to the bodily demanding actuality collection.
“When do you get a second probability for one thing loopy like this?” he advised cameras throughout a 2015 episode. “Individuals ask me if Survivor is enjoyable. I inform ‘em, ‘Hell, no! Survivor ain’t enjoyable. Occurring a cruise is enjoyable. You realize, going fishing is enjoyable. Going to play golf is enjoyable. This ain’t enjoyable. I imply, have a look at me. Golly!”