The season 49 premiere of Survivor closed on a sentimental note, remembering one of its favorite cast members, Vince Costello.
With the credits, a straightforward yet poignant dedication flickered on: “In loving memory of Vince Costello, forever in our hearts.”
Costello, a Fiji native, had been part of the Survivor family since 2015, beginning his journey with season 33, Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X. He worked as a locations manager, responsible for scouting and managing the breathtaking sites across Fiji that have become a signature part of the CBS competition series.
Looking back on his career in a PEOPLE interview published in September 2025, Costello reported he had no clue how much the show would change his life. “When I signed on to the production, I had no idea it was going to change my life and my family’s lives,” he revealed.
A Fijian Legacy on Survivor
Raised and born in Fiji, Costello took the respect and culture of his home with him into his job. “Fiji is heavily into culture and into respect, and it’s been wonderful working for Survivor in that regard,” he said. His job was more than logistics, he played a key role in bringing the show to the locals and the environment.
A Family Affair
Survivor became a family affair for Costello. Three of his children were involved in the production. His daughter Aline started out in the Survivor Dream Team, challenge testing, before becoming a locations assistant to her father. His son Patrick worked in post-production before moving into camera operations, although he conceded that he had to talk his dad into letting him come on board rather than going to university. The work despite the turbulence was enjoyed by the Costellos, with Vince humorously claiming there had not been any “fights in public.”
A Battle With Cancer
The death of Costello followed only a few days after the Survivor season 50 had wrapped up production. He was 61 years old. A July 2025 GoFundMe explained that he had been diagnosed with stage-four Hepatocellular Carcinoma (liver cancer). In order to get treatment, Vince and his family moved from Fiji to Australia.
The fundraiser, arranged by executive producer Jesse Jensen, portrayed him as extremely loved and admired. “His warmth, humour, and generosity have left a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to have met and spent time with him,” Jensen penned. The fundraiser grossed over $86,000 AUD for his medical and living costs.
A Lasting Impact
Costello worked on close to 50 productions throughout his years, but Survivor was his home. His family and fellow workers remember him as being more than just a member of the crew, he was the heart of the show, uniting people behind the cameras and in his community as well.
As Survivor season 49 continues, fans and staff alike will feel the loss of Vince Costello, whose role in the show and his reputation for being kind and respectful will never be forgotten.
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