Dominic Massa / Eyewitness News
A Terrytown man, a baseball star and 1980s TV actress will all be contestants on “Survivor: Philippines” when the show premieres this fall, CBS announced Monday.
Artis Silvester, 53, will be one of 15 contestants on the latest incarnation of the long-running hit show, when it premieres on Sept. 19.
The computer engineer from the west bank is one of 15 castaway contestants announced for the 25th anniversary season. Other castaways include former National League baseball MVP Jeff Kent, a former San Francisco Giant, and former 1980s television star Lisa Whelchel, who played Blair on “The Facts of Life.”
In a cast video unveiled Monday, Silvester revealed that he had applied for a spot on the show more than a dozen times before.
"I've applied somewhere between 15 and 17 times," he said. "The last few times I missed because I was dealing with a battle with cancer. I'm actually a real life survivor playing on 'Survivor.'"
This is not the first time Louisiana has been represented in the cast of “Survivor,” which premiered in 2000.
New Orleanian Lisa Keiffer appeared in “Survivor: Vanuatu” and New Orleanian Angie Jakusz starred in “Survivor: Palau.” John Raymond of Slidell appeared on “Survivor: Thailand,” the same season that Clay Jordan of Monroe made it to runner-up.
Two Lafayette residents also appeared in different season: James Clement of Lafayette appeared in “Survivor: China,” and Kenward "Boo" Bernis, in “Survivor: Fiji.” That show also featured Erica Durosseau of Lake Charles as a castaway.
