Richard Hatch Biography

Richard Hatch gained his place in pop culture history by winning the first edition of the CBS “reality show” Survivor in the year 2000. A corporate trainer from Rhode Island, Hatch outwitted and outlasted 15 other contestants on the island of Pulau Tiga to win a $1,000,000 first prize. Hatch reportedly weighed 350 pounds before losing 100 pounds prior to the show’s filming; after the show he lost more weight via much-publicized liposuction surgery. Hatch made no secret of being gay, and after his victory the website Gay.com called him “the most famous gay man in America.” Hatch’s book 101 Survival Secrets was published in November 2000. In 2004 he was back on TV in Survivor All Stars, a best-of-the-best competition set in Pearl Islands, Panama. Hatch also has had multiple run-ins with the law: After his return from filming the original show, he was charged with second-degree child abuse after his adopted son Christopher accused him of rough treatment; the charges were later dropped. In January of 2006 he was convicted of tax evasion and perjury after a lengthy investigation and trial involving (in part) his winnings from Survivor. He was sentenced to 51 months in prison.