David Wright

…they're probably gonna want to vote out Wendy because of this whole chicken debate… Survivor 38, E3

Played on

63 days played

Game record

Vote alignment76%of 25 ballots

67th percentile of 423 castaways

Immunity record2career immunity wins

88th percentile of 751 castaways

Idol impact1of 2 idol plays canceled a vote

57th percentile of 45 idol players

Occupation at casting Television Writer Hometown Sherman Oaks, California

Played with 36 castaways across 2 seasons See every connection ↓

Wright has shared a beach with thirty-six castaways, inside the most-connected tenth of everyone who has played.

Biography

David Wright pulled off one of the great personal transformations Survivor has ever shown. On Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X (Season 33), the anxious, self-described neurotic TV writer arrived terrified of everything, then grew into a fearless, idol-finding strategic force who reached the final six, a genuine underdog fan favorite.

He returned for Survivor: Edge of Extinction (Season 38), where his sharp strategic mind fueled a memorable rivalry and another deep run.

David Wright's arc from timid outsider to bold, big-moves gamer is one of the most inspiring character journeys in the modern era, a two-time player who proved the game could turn a nervous newcomer into a legitimate threat.

Get to know David Wright

David Wright's own answers from the pre-game cast profile CBS published before the season aired.

Claim to fame: Playing chess against Magnus Carlsen, the No. 1 ranked player in the world.
Hobbies: 3D printing puzzles.
Pet peeves: Sudden, loud noises; people who don't use a turn signal; people who believe in ghosts and psychics; people who are late for dinner; people who incorrectly use the word "nonplussed;" people.
Inspiration: Mr. Spock [from Star Trek]. He's highly intelligent, logical, and has trouble fitting in.
Castaway they say they are most like: I relate most to the guys who don't fit in such as John Cochran—he's my intellectual equal with slightly larger muscles. I also relate to Joe Anglim's puzzle-solving skills, but, unfortunately, not his full head of hair, or way with the ladies.
Why they wanted to play: I want to use Survivor as a tool to battle my insecurities and overcome my fears and anxiety.
Luxury item: Beads, string, and polished stones to make fake Immunity Idols for other people to find.

Alliances fans have named

Survivor never names an alliance on screen. These names, and who counts as a member, are how the fan community records the game rather than an official record of it.

Birthplace, pre-game profile and alliance facts adapted from Survivor Fandom and Wikipedia, retrieved 2026-07-21. Licensed CC BY-SA.

Fan poll Players

Survivor Hall of Fame: is David Wright in or out?

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Seasons

David Wright's Survivor seasons and results
Season	Result	Days	Tribes	Votes against	Confessionals
Millennials vs. Gen X Season 33, 2016	17th voted out	38 of 39 days	Takali Vanua Vinaka	10	56
Edge of Extinction Season 38, 2019	10th voted out	25 of 39 days	Manu Lesu Vata	11	28