Reality television is a controversial concept, since some feel that many of the reality shows on television are contrived. Secrets behind some of the most popular reality shows have revealed some surprising features that make audiences wonder whether or not these shows are truly real.
Check out our list of 15 shocking tragedies related to reality TV, and see how even those
in the limelight can fall victim to misfortune.
Every reality show has a fan favorite that makes it worthwhile to watch, and Captain Phil Harris was that character. Apart from Popeye, most sailors aren't really thought of as tattooed. However, Captain Phil Harris wasn't your average sailor. He was tattooed, he was rough, and he was beloved by all. Suffering complications from a stroke, he passed at the age of 53. In charge of the Cornelia Marie on the hit reality show, The Deadliest Catch, Captain Phil Harris passed in 2010 and it shocked fans. Thought of as extra tough, Captain Harris didn't seem like anything could take him down. His loss was relayed through the network's statement, "Discovery mourns the loss of dear friend and colleague Captain Phil Harris. He was more than someone on our television screen. Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him."
Steve Irwin became known as "The Crocodile Hunter" and was a beloved television personality through his daring adventures with animals. He had an over-the-top persona that many found endearing, especially when coupled with his thick Australian accent. However, his time in the public eye was not always filled with love and admiration. Famously drawing near to a crocodile while holding his baby girl, this controversial act caused many to wonder whether or not he was being too risky while dealing with animals. Yet, it wasn't a crocodile incident that led to his death. In 2006, he was pierced in the chest by a stingray barb and died from the injury.
When Pedro Zamora was first introduced to audiences on the MTV reality show, The Real World: San Francisco, the world wasn't as aware of HIV and AIDS as we are now. The series took place in 1994, and highlighted the stigma surrounding the disease and the prejudices sufferers faced on a daily basis. Living as a gay man, the show depicted his relationship in a way that audiences had yet to see before firsthand. Although he eventually lost his fight with AIDS, he was a groundbreaking force that opened people's minds and hearts. President Bill Clinton famously spoke out about his passing saying, "[Pedro Zamora] changed the face of HIV and AIDS in America forever."
Any show that suddenly replaces one of its main characters often gets a bit of slack from die-hard fans. However, Captain Tony Lara was met with open arms, since everyone understood he had some big shoes to fill. Replacing Captain Phil Harris after he passed from complications of a stroke, Captain Tony Lara was welcomed and served his crew faithfully. However, after only six episodes, fans were shocked to hear of the death of their new captain. Passing away at the age of 50, Captain Lara died of a heart attack while at a private home. The network issued a statement in the wake of his death, saying, "we've lost a member of the Deadliest Catch family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this very sad time."
Gia Allemand was on the reality show, The Bachelor, in 2010 and made it to the final three before leaving the show. In 2011 she began dating NBA player, Ryan Anderson, who later spoke out to Sports Illustrated about the heartbreaking details surrounding her death. After an apparent argument between the two, Gia's mother contacted Ryan urging him to rush to her apartment after a disturbing phone call. There she was found hanging in an apparent suicide attempt. Ryan rushed her to the hospital, but she passed away the following day. Gia's mother and Ryan Anderson have started The Gia Allemand Foundation to help with suicide prevention and survival, and also work with other suicide groups like To Write Love On Her Arms.
So many reality shows seem to give fame to those who come from privileged homes or celebrity parents. But bored with the Kardashians and Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, audiences sometimes crave seeing those that aren't living the lavish lifestyle. When Buckwild found a home on MTV, the public quickly became interested in these free spirited youths that seemed to make their own fun without all the yachts and fancy designer clothes. One of the most beloved characters from the show, Shain Gandee, had a "good ol' boy" persona that drew in fans. However, in April 2013, Gandee was found dead with a friend and his uncle inside their vehicle. The tailpipe had been covered with mud on a dirt road, and all the occupants of the vehicle were killed due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Introduced to audiences through the reality show, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, he was the husband of Taylor Armstrong. While men don't have that big of a role on Real Housewives shows, Russell became a pivotal part of the storyline once Taylor revealed he was physically abusive. While their storyline had previously consisted of him providing an ultra lavish lifestyle for her and their daughter, it had become increasingly volatile before his death in 2011. Found hanging in the home they shared together, he committed suicide at the age of 47. Reports indicated he left his family in massive debt, and allegedly there were shady misdealings with some of his business partners.
The CBS show Survivor is known for bringing along loved ones and family members with its varying themes each season. However, usually the show brings along loved ones for just a short visit. Survivor: Blood vs. Water offered a bit of a change to this format and brought back Colton Cumbie onto the show with his then-fiancé, Caleb Bankston. While Colton was known as one of the most memorable villains on the series, his fiancé with his mild-manners and good-natured spirit became a fast favorite. However, working at the Alabama Warrior Railway in Birmingham, Caleb died in a freight train incident in 2014. He was 26-years-old.
Damien Gurganious was first introduced to audiences through the reality show, Biggest Loser. The show is revered for being far more than just a voyeuristic appeal to the public. Instead, fans root for the contestants to better themselves, and knowing their backstory only makes for a better storyline. While one might think that Damien's death would be due to something related to obesity, he actually died from the rare disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). This was a sudden onset disease that caused inoperable bleeding in his brain, and it was revealed that he succumbed to the disease in 2014.
Ryan Knight was a regular on MTV competition shows, but often skipped a few seasons here and there. While the network doesn't shy away from characters that like to indulge in drinking binges and partying escapades, Knight was known to have substance abuse issues and there was even an instance of violence on a reunion special. Oftentime, this type of behavior isn't met favorably by producers, but they gave him another chance when he appeared on Battle of the Exes 2. Everything seemed to go well on the show, until fans learned he had passed in November 2014. Within just two weeks of Diem Brown's death, Knight was found Thanksgiving morning unresponsive at a friend's house. The reports indicated his death was the result of drugs and alcohol, and MTV once again lost another of its reality television stars.
MTV's reality show, Catfish, is based on the Indie film, Catfish, starring Nev Shulman. Capturing the entire saga of an online dating relationship that turned out to feature a middle-aged, married woman, this seemed like a great premise for a reality show. With each new episode, fans started to think that it was just the same story retold, until new characters emerged that put a new spin on things. Ashley Sawyer's story had a definite twist, since it turned out both she and her online beau Michael Fortunato, were both sending each other altered images. A month after her episode aired, Michael was found dead of a pulmonary embolism and Ashley Sawyer was later found dead in an apparent drug overdose.
First introduced to audiences on Mob Wives, Angela "Big Ang" Raiola quickly became a favorite among the reality show's fans. While all the other cast members seemed to gravitate towards negativity, Big Ang always seemed to be the peacemaker and the calming force within the group. Her character was so likable, it led to her own spin-off show, aptly titled Big Ang, and another show named Miami Monkey. She was the breakout character from Mob Wives that had a heart of gold, and an over-the-top personality people loved. In February 2016, Big Ang passed at the age of 55 after losing her battle with brain cancer.
Diem Brown started off as an MTV reality star, competing on a number of different challenge shows since her first appearance on the Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat in 2006. The only woman that could tame the heart of fellow cast member, Chris "CT" Tamburello, they had a tumultuous relationship that played out with each new season.
However, it was her brave fight against ovarian cancer that made her a true favorite with fans. Bravely stripping off her wig in front of cameras in order to compete in a challenge, Diem seemed to have finally beaten cancer. When she appeared on Battle of the Exes 2, her and CT seemed to be in a good place and she seemed like her usual bubbly self. So, when she was rushed to the hospital and shown in excruciating pain, fans were shocked to hear that her cancer had returned for a third time. The cancer had spread to her colon and stomach lining, and she ultimately passed in November 2014.
Many country artists are known for being prone to depression and alcohol abuse, but Mindy McCready was an artist that seemed to have more than her fair share of hardships. Appearing on VH1's Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, the world became more familiar with how deeply her addiction had impacted her life. During the month prior to her death, her children had been placed into foster care and she was under a court-ordered mandate to enter rehab. Her boyfriend, fellow country star David Wilson, had previously committed suicide and a month later, she followed. She died of a self inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 37.
As a contestant on Survivor: Palau, Jennifer Lyon was one of the favorites among audiences. Survivor has always been a bit tricky when it comes to female contestants, since they aren't usually the ones doing all the heavy lifting around camp or winning all the strength competitions. However, Jennifer Lyon was able to thrive during her time on the show. She used her wits, communication skills, and occasionally her beautiful appearance- she wound up finishing just shy of the final three as the fourth-place contestant. Lyon succumbed to breast cancer in 2010, and passed away at the age of 37.
