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NEED TO KNOW
Colby Donaldson is returning to Survivor's 50th season, his fourth time playing and likely last go at the competition
The Texas native pursued acting after gaining popularity on the show's second season, but he says of his previous all-star seasons, "I was trying to be relevant and needed exposure and all those things that can cloud your ability to play this game full tilt"
Jeff Probst tells PEOPLE he has "empathy" for Donaldson
AfterSurvivor's debut season became a pop culture phenomenon, over 45 million Americans tuned in after the 2001 Super Bowl for the second season's premiere. There, they were introduced to Colby Donaldson.
The 20-something Texan became a fan favorite for his dominant competition wins and for finishing as runner-up — after choosing to bring his closet ally, Tina Wesson, to the final two with him over a practically guaranteed win over Keith Famie. Capitalizing on his popularity, Donaldson moved to Los Angeles and pursued acting, appearing onCurb Your Enthusiasm,8 Simple Rules,Joey,the movieRed Eyeand more in the 2000s.
Colby also returned to compete two more times onSurvivor, in season 8 ("All-Stars") and season 20 (as part of the good guys' squad on the "Heroes vs. Villains"-themed edition). Although he made the jury both times, he didn't live up to his first performance.
Now, Colby is back forSurvivor's milestone 50th season, hoping for some redemption — not necessarily for his placement, but for how he played the game.
Robert Voets/CBS Photo Archive via Getty
Speaking to PEOPLE exclusively in Fiji just days ahead of filmingSurvivor 50, Colby says, "It's hard for me to reconcile the way I played the last two times. Not necessarily proud of the outcome, but I'm also not proud of just how I handled adversity in the game. A lot of why I wanted to come back was I wanted to right those wrongs for me."
Colby, now 51 and aware that half of his life has happened since first appearing on the show, explains thatSurvivoropened doors to many opportunities, which he is incredibly thankful for. However, when he played on his second and third seasons, "I was trying to be relevant and needed exposure and all those things that can cloud your ability to play this game full tilt."
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After moving back to Texas about a decade ago, Colby says that his current resume would read very similarly to when he originally applied toSurvivor(via VHS tape): he's herding cattle and goats on the same land as his great-grandfather and welding.
"I don't think I would've ever been a consideration by [Jeff] Probst and by the team if I weren't back in Texas doing what I'm doing because my intentions for playing the game today are just as authentic as they were 25 years ago," Colby says. "I'm not sure I could say that about the second and third time I played."
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Jeff Probsttells PEOPLE that he's thrilled to have Colby back on this returnee cast.
"I have a lot of empathy for him because he had to come out of Texas and suddenly be thrust into this giant, global spotlight calledSurvivor, where people were naming their kids after him, and everybody wanted to know him," the host and showrunner says. "But he's just Colby."
And Probst didn't have to beg theSurvivor: Australian Outbackstandout to return. In fact, Colby says he was the first one to call casting after the host announced that season 50 would feature an all-star cast. After originally being cast by Lynne Spillman, Colby did some work to find a phone number forSurvivor's current casting director, Jesse Tannenbaum.
Colby remembers: "I called him up, and I said, 'You don't know me, I'm Colby Donaldson, but Probst had just announced that 50 would be a returning player season.' So I said, 'Man, I just want to throw my hat in the ring. I know it's a long shot, but I'm sure you're getting inundated and bombarded with calls.' He was quiet for a second. He said, 'Colby, actually no, you're the first one that's called. We haven't even started casting 49 yet.' "
Bill Inoshita/CBS Photo Archive via Getty
While he's done his homework, studying both his own past mistakes and keeping up with the new seasons ofSurvivor, Colby says he's also back to show his gratitude for the show — and say goodbye.
"I'm completely flattered and honored that they've allowed me one more time. You can bet this will be the last time," he says. "At my age, there won't be another shot."
He adds, "I'm okay with being the old guard and passing the torch to the new guard. It's going to be fun to see some legends born out here."
Survivor's 50th season premieres Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Read the original article onPeople
