Ralph Kiser dead at 56: Survivor alum passes away suddenly from heart attack

SURVIVOR: Redemption Island star Ralph Kiser has died suddenly at 56 from a heart attack, The Sun can exclusively report. 

The Virginia-based farmer - who competed on the 22nd season of Survivor - passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday morning due to a heart attack, his family confirmed.

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Ralph's nephew, George Kiser, told The Sun that the reality star died around 3:15am, leaving friends and family members shocked.

"He was a hard working man, and a damn good hunter," George said.

Ralph first appeared on Survivor in 2011 as a member of the Zapatera tribe.

The Virginia native - who was best known for his cheerful personality - came eighth in the CBS competition, and was the second-to-last man standing from the Zapateras.

In his CBS bio, Ralph described himself as "determined, strong-willed and stubborn," and said he felt "inspired" by his farm.

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"I’ve been at it all my life. I’m always amazed at my animals – how they grow and survive," he said at the time.

"Being able to watch the circle of life go around and be a part of it is a very satisfying adventure that I never get tired of.”

Ralph added that it was a life-long ambition of his to appear on the grueling reality show.

"I've wanted to be on the show for years and knew one day I'd get my chance," he said.

";I want to be a hometown hero for the folks back home!"

STAR OF THE SHOW

At the start of his season, Ralph formed an alliance with five other Zapatera members to target villain Russell Hantz.

Russell was returning to the show alongside his nemesis "Boston Rob" Mariano.

Ralph's tribe won several challenges, leading to them throwing a challenge in a bid to get rid of Russell.

However, Zapatera then went on to lose three of the next four immunity challenges, giving Rob and Ometepe the upper hand.

Ralph won a Redemption Island duel after being voted out, leading to the final elimination of former NFL player Steve Wright.

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Steve was the only Zapatera to outlast Ralph on the island.

Ralph lost his Redemption Island duel an episode later, leading to him becoming the fourth member of the jury.

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