Joel Klug

Over 50 million people viewed the strong will and determination of blonde haired, blue-eyed Joel Klug as he competed to become a millionaire. The CBS series Survivor (2000) literally made Joel an overnight celebrity, a role that surprised Joel and the rest of the first and most memorable cast to date. Joel was already a success in his sales and marketing career when some friends encouraged him to enter a contest from CBS for a new show where 16 individuals would be dropped on an abandoned island. His self-confidence, slightly sarcastic and adventuresome attitude would quickly serve to his advantage as this intense competition began in the late summer of 2000. He grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with his three siblings. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard, but after a year, he received an honorable discharge. In 1997, he was recruited by ABC financial management company whose clientèle base was health clubs. Although Joel did not walk away with the million-dollar prize, he felt grateful fo