The family of Keith Nale, who participated in the reality TV show “Survivor” twice, has confirmed that he has passed away at the age of 62.
Wes Nale, Nale’s grieving son, informed Entertainment Tonight that his father passed away on Tuesday afternoon.
“He’d been battling cancer for the past few months and we found out about it in January,” he said.
Kevin Nale, his brother, expressed that their father’s life was “taken way too soon.”
In 2015, Keith, who was from Louisiana, participated in two seasons of “Survivor” as a contestant.
In the same year, he participated in two seasons of the show: “Survivor: San Juan del Sur” and “Survivor: Cambodia,” both of which were broadcasted.
Wes participated in the reality TV show “Survivor: San Juan del Sur” along with his father.
After Keith’s passing, many paid their respects with Kelley Wentworth, his former co-star on “Survivor: San Juan del Sur,” tweeting a tribute, “Keith – a man with the purest heart, who brought humor into moments where it was needed most.
“I’m grateful I had the opportunity to meet Keith & share memories together on the beaches of Nicaragua & Cambodia.”
“My heart is with the entire Nale family. This is a devastating loss,” she continued.
“My condolences to the Big D, Wes, Austin and entire Nale family,” Keith’s other co-star Jeremy Collins said. “You will be missed Keith but your legacy will live on. Rest in power my firefighter/survivor brother.”
During Keith’s first appearance on the series, he reached the final four but was voted out the day before the Final Tribal Council.
After gaining popularity among fans, he made a determined comeback for “Survivor: Cambodia.”
When Wentworth won immunity, Keith was sent home for the second time. However, he had positive things to say about the show after his departure.
In 2014, the ex-firefighter discussed with UpRoxx his experience of competing in his 50s.
“They were impressed, being I was 53,” he said about his firefighter colleagues. “Now granted that’s not 93, but that’s not 23 either.”
“They were all behind me, a great bunch of guys. They wanted me to win it and, you know, bring it home to Louisiana. But that just didn’t happen.”
