Fear Factor was intended to be the rival of CBS’s Survivor. The adrenaline-driven show was adapted from a Dutch show, Now or Neverland. Hosted at first by UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who's brushed celebrities like Miley Cyrus the wrong way in the past, the show aired on NBC from 2001 to 2006 and is the first installment of the Fear Factor franchise. Over the years, it would be aired on and off and see a change of hosts, with rapper Ludacris eventually taking over. The show finally came to an end in 2018, after airing on MTV.
On Fear Factor, contestants were expected to go against each other for a $50,000 prize. In its early years, three men and women were pitted against each other. The final years saw a change of format and involved four teams of two people each. To revive some of our favorite memories from the show, here is what ten of the winners have been up to.
Updated on September 15, 2022: Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, who appeared on the Reality Star edition of Fear Factor, has two daughters with his wife Maryse Mizanin. The couple had them a couple of years apart, naming them Madison Jade and Monroe Sky. Although The Miz is still acting and working in entertainment, he is making sure to dedicate time to his family of four.
10 Noel Holmes Is Living A Private Life
Noel Holmes appeared on Season 2 of the show. The stunts included ‘Heli-Climb,’ where contestants were expected to climb down a helicopter as it spun in the air and climb back up on a different side, all while counting on the support of a net that hung beneath the helicopter. The contest also featured Angelica Riggs, Jennifer Barnes, Bradley Willes, Jason Burton, and Lana Elhassan. He has recently chosen to change his social media to private, now living more "off the grid."
9 Ari Strum Added 'Writer' To His Resume
Ari Strum appeared on Season 1 of the show. The stunts included ‘Dog Attack,’ where the contestants would fire a pistol, and a trained dog would try to tackle them. Also contesting were Peter Kelly, Sandra Jean-Pierre, Mea Fisher, Gina Nigido, and Marc Wilson. Ari Strum emerged as the winner. He went on to become a screenwriter, credited for Everyday Day Is Beautiful. He’s also appeared on Star Trek: Voyager.
8 Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizanin Is Still Acting And Is Now Married
Professional wrestler Mike 'The Miz' Mizanin, alongside his then-girlfriend Trishelle Cannatella, appeared on a Fear Factor edition that featured reality stars. The three-episode series saw contestants from Survivor, The Amazing Race and The Apprentice compete for $150,000. 'The Miz' and Trishelle duo won the series. Since then, he has continued to appear on television and stars on Miz & Mrs. alongside his wife Maryse.
7 Matt Thornton Is Now An Actor, Writer, & Director
Matt Thornton was one of the first-ever winners on Fear Factor. He also went on to participate in The Weakest Link, which featured the first eight contestants on the show. Matt proved to be the best among the best. He transitioned to the world of film and is an actor and director, having participated in over a dozen projects, known for Silverfish, 29 Light Years, and Psycho Soliloquy.
6 Matt Hardy Is Constantly Reinventing Himself
Matt Hardy participated in a celebrity special of the show. The celebrity version followed the same format the show had at the time, except the celebrities played for charity instead. Among the celebrities who appeared over the seasons were Alan Thicke and Kevin Richardson. Matt Hardy competed and won against five other WWE contestants. Hardy has consistently reinvented himself as a professional wrestler, as well as husband and father to wife Reby Sky and their four children.
5 Nick Watts Appeared On An All-Winners Edition
Nick Watts appeared on the very first episode of Fear Factor. He went on to be a winner and earned himself the chance to make a guest appearance on the all-winner version, The Weakest Link. Nick Watts played the role of Braden on Twice Today. He was also an editor on an episode of the second season of Rock Profile dubbed ‘Take That.’
4 Doug Woodbury Moved On To Other Hollywood Ventures
Doug Woodbury appeared on the fourth episode of the first season of the show. The stunts included Net Jump, Wormnitis, and Tunnel Crawl. Doug emerged the winner and later appeared on The Weakest Link, which had an all-star cast from the first eight seasons. Doug is an actor known for his work on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Six Sex Scenes and a Murder, and Balance.
3 Derek Warriner Is Officially Done With Reality TV
According to his resume, Derek Warriner considers himself to have retired from reality television. He won a 2001 episode of the show and also participated in The Weakest Link. Since then, Derek found interest in sales and was based in Miami as of 2010. He worked for LUXE magazine as a regional sales director and had over eight years of experience as of 2010. His time at Fear Factor was not left out of the resume, at least it was recognized.
2 Trishelle Cannatella Is Keeping Busy With Many Projects
Trishelle Cannatella appeared alongside her then-boyfriend ‘The Miz’ on a reality star version of Fear Factor aired in 2006. They beat other contestants to win the coveted $150,000. Since then, she has appeared in films such as Melvin Smarty and The Martini Shot. Trishelle is also a playboy model and a poker player. She continued to appear on The Challenge on and off, and was most recently seen on The Challenge: All-Stars.
1 Jeanette Jenkins Is A Professional Trainer & Health Coach
Jeanette Jenkins went on record as the very first female winner of Fear Factor, walking home with an added $50,000 to her bank account. Since then, she’s gone on to become a celebrity fitness trainer, whose list of clients include Kelly Rowland, Tia Mowry, and Pink. Jeanette also hosts a fitness show on Lifetime Television and is a regular contributor on Weighing In, a Food Network show.