On Saturday, December 20, longtime “Survivor” host Jeff Probst was presented with the Television Icon Award at the 28th Annual Family Film & TV Awards.
The special award, which has previously been presented to television personalities like “Leave It to Beaver” actor Jerry Mathers and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Sarah Michelle Gellar, celebrates those who have made a significant impact on family-oriented television programming over the course of their illustrious careers.
Probst, who has served as the host of “Survivor” since its inception in 2000 before becoming its executive producer in 2011, recently celebrated the reality competition series’ 25th anniversary. Earlier this month, Probst continued to promote the show’s legacy by sharing the first glimpses at the show’s milestone 50th season, coming to CBS in February 2026.
“Jeff Probst has spent decades shaping a genre, guiding players through high stakes, and turning strategy into storytelling,” said the FFTVA in an Instagram post announcing the “Survivor” star as this year’s Icon Award recipient.
Castaways Jenna Lewis and Joe Hunter Present the FFTVA Icon Award
At the pre-recorded awards ceremony, former castaway Jenna Lewis, who appeared on the very first season of “Survivor” in 2000, was joined by recent Season 48 finalist Joe Hunter to present Probst with the honor. Both contestants will continue their “Survivor” careers, under Probst’s watchful eye, as they join the cast of the show’s 50th season in February.
CBS“I was so honored to be asked to help present an award at the Family Film and TV Awards,” wrote Lewis in an Instagram post after the ceremony, adding, “I don’t think as a woman you are supposed to say this, but I felt SO pretty.”
Hunter echoed the statement in his own post, writing, “What a true honor to be able to present at the @fftva with the beautiful @ssjenna…Jeff truly saved my life and is a wonderful human.”
“Here’s the truth,” Probst began his Icon Award acceptance speech. “25 years ago when ‘Survivor’ started, I had no idea what I was in store for. I certainly had no idea how to host the show. All I really did was say ‘yes’ and show up.”
Jeff Probst Accepts 2025 FFTVA Icon Award with Emotional Speech
“But from the moment we hit the sand – Jenna [Lewis] was there – in Borneo, I’ve been hooked and I remain hooked,” the host continued. “Really the big reason is, my fascination is that ‘Survivor’ offers this mirror, this reflection of who we are. And you can see it in any season of ‘Survivor’ – human behavior playing out in all sorts of ways.”
“It’s only been recently in thinking about our 50th season that I’ve realized that being a part of witnessing other people take their journey, it’s quietly been shaping my own and in that way ‘Survivor’s been a classroom to me,” Jeff added. “I’ve watched people like Jenna and Joe say ‘yes’ and show up and figure it out.”
“It is not lost on me that the 12-year-old version of me, living in Wichita, Kansas, dreaming of some kind of adventure, could never have imagined a night like tonight where I’d be honored for a life I didn’t even know was possible back then,” the now-64-year-old host continued.
In conclusion, Probst revealed that, “the number one thing I’ve learned from ‘Survivor’ is that if you say ‘yes’ and you show up, amazing things happen.”
‘Survivor’ Wins 2025 FFTVA ‘Favorite Competition Series’ Award
The host returned to the FFTVA stage later in the evening to accept the award for Favorite Competition Series, which went to “Survivor” over other nominated series like “America’s Got Talent,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Big Brother” and “The Voice.”
“Honored to accept this on behalf of our entire crew,” said Probst, giving credit to the show’s more than 800 international crew members.
“What we love about [‘Survivor’] is that it’s this epic adventure show that we make for families,” he continued. “But what is crazy is that we have been on so long, that some of those same kids who were not born when ‘Survivor’ started 25 years ago, are now playing on ‘Survivor.’”
“That’s more than longevity,” he concluded. “That’s a legacy.”
