Vince Costello death: Survivor Location Manager dies of liver cancer after 9-year career

CBS reality series Survivor memorialized crew member Vince Costello following his death from liver cancer in 2025. Costello worked as Location Manager for nine years amid the show's permanent move to Fiji's Mamanuca Islands, contributing to the series' distinctive visual identity through his location scouting expertise.

Vince Costello served as Location Manager for Survivor from 2016 through 2025, utilizing his knowledge as a Fiji native to identify filming locations across the Mamanuca Islands. His responsibilities included scouting tribal camp sites, challenge locations, and Tribal Council backdrops.

Prior to joining Survivor, Costello worked on approximately 50 television and film productions, establishing expertise in location management and production logistics. His role became essential when Survivor made the Mamanuca Islands its permanent filming location beginning with Season 33.


Also read: Vince Costello dead, Survivor crew member passes away after nearly a decade with CBS reality show

Vince Costello death: liver cancer battle following Survivor Season 50

Vince Costello died in 2025 at age 61 following a battle with late-stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma, commonly known as liver cancer. His death occurred after production wrapped on Survivor Season 50.

While no official cause of death was publicly confirmed, executive producer Jesse Jensen revealed Costello's diagnosis through a GoFundMe campaign established to support his treatment.

"Vince has always given so much to all of us — through his work, his kindness, and most of all his friendship," Jensen wrote in the fundraising description.

The campaign indicated that Costello and his family relocated from Fiji to Australia to receive specialized cancer treatment and medical support.

Costello family legacy: children follow father into Survivor production

Both of Vince Costello's children pursued careers within Survivor production, continuing the family's involvement with the CBS series.

Daughter Aline Costello, 28, began her career on Survivor's "Dream Team," an internship program that involves testing challenges before filming. She later advanced to work as Locations Assistant alongside her father.

Son Patrick Costello, 21, spent his childhood around the Survivor base camp before joining production staff. He initially worked in post-production before transitioning to camera operator, his current role on the series.

Patrick Costello convinced his father to allow him to join the production crew after years of observing the filming process during his youth.

GoFundMe campaign raises over $86,000 for Vince Costello treatment

The fundraising campaign established by executive producer Jesse Jensen closed in July, 2025 after raising more than AUD 86,000 for Costello's cancer treatment and family support.

Also read: Survivor season 49 premiere: Who is the gay contestant voted out first and who remains

The GoFundMe described Costello's diagnosis as life-threatening and detailed the family's temporary relocation from Fiji to Australia for medical care.

The substantial fundraising total demonstrated support from the Survivor production community and fans who recognized Costello's contributions to the long-running reality series.

Survivor Season 49 memorial tribute to Vince Costello

CBS honored Vince Costello with an on-screen dedication during the Season 49 premiere episode. The memorial tribute appeared at the end of the broadcast, acknowledging his nearly decade-long service to the production.

Costello's work as Location Manager contributed significantly to Survivor's visual presentation during its Fiji era, which began in 2016 and continues through current seasons.

People Magazine previously featured the Costello family in coverage of Survivor crew members, highlighting the multi-generational involvement in the show's production.