Boston Rob Reveals His Best 'Survivor' Move and Shares His Mount Rushmore

Plus, he reveals which four players make his Mount Rushmore.

Mar. 4, 2026 at 5:35pm

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Rob 'Boston Rob' Mariano, a five-time Survivor player who won the game on his fourth attempt, looks back on his iconic moves in the show and shares his picks for the four best Survivor players of all time, putting them on his personal 'Survivor Mount Rushmore'.

Why it matters

As one of the most dominant and memorable Survivor players in the show's history, Rob Mariano's insights on his best strategic moves and the top Survivor competitors provide valuable perspective on the evolution of the game and the players who have defined it over its 50-season run.

The details

Mariano reveals that while his move to convince Lex van den Berghe to keep his wife Amber in the game on Survivor: All-Stars is considered his most iconic, he actually views a different move from his winning season, Survivor: Redemption Island, as his best from a strategic standpoint. Specifically, he cites his decision to immediately send Matt Elrod back to Redemption Island after he returned to the game, ensuring Mariano could maintain control of his alliance. Mariano also discusses a near-miss of an all-time move on Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, where his plan to split the votes between Parvati Shallow and Russell Hantz was foiled by his ally Tyson Apostol.

  • Mariano has played Survivor five times, winning in his fourth attempt.
  • Survivor is currently in its milestone 50th season.

The players

Rob 'Boston Rob' Mariano

A five-time Survivor player who won the game on his fourth attempt and is widely considered one of the best players in the show's history.

Amber Mariano (née Brkich)

Rob Mariano's wife, whom he met while playing Survivor: All-Stars.

Lex van den Berghe

A Survivor player who was convinced by Rob Mariano to keep Amber in the game on Survivor: All-Stars.

Matt Elrod

A Survivor player who returned from Redemption Island and was immediately sent back by Rob Mariano on Survivor: Redemption Island.

Tyson Apostol

A Survivor player who foiled Rob Mariano's plan to split the votes between Parvati Shallow and Russell Hantz on Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.

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What they’re saying

“When Matt [Elrod] came back from Redemption Island and won his way back in the game, [I] got everybody together to immediately send him back to Redemption Island again and not have to worry about the chance [that he'd vote me out]. I think that was pretty smart and polarizing and allowed me to keep control of the group. That was a pretty smart move.”

— Rob 'Boston Rob' Mariano

“[Tyson] still doesn't know what he did wrong. I saw him in Arizona not too long ago and I was like, 'Bro...' He's like, 'Yeah I don't know.'”

— Rob 'Boston Rob' Mariano

“I think all the lists I've seen going around have it right. I think it's me, Parvati, Sandra [Diaz-Twine], and Tony [Vlachos]. I think that makes the most sense.”

— Rob 'Boston Rob' Mariano

The takeaway

As one of the most dominant and iconic players in Survivor history, Rob Mariano's insights on his strategic moves and the top Survivor competitors provide valuable perspective on the evolution of the game and the players who have defined it over its 50-season run.