Johnny Devenanzio
Devenanzio in 2008
Born
John Amadeus Devenanzio

(1982-06-22) June 22, 1982 (age 41)
Fullerton, California, U.S.
Other namesJohnny Bananas
Alma materPennsylvania State University (BS)
OccupationReality television personality
Notes

John Amadeus Devenanzio (born June 22, 1982),[1] also known as Johnny Bananas, is a television personality, best known as a competitor on the MTV reality competition show The Challenge. His first television appearance was on the seventeenth season of The Real World in 2006. In 2018, he became the host of 1st Look on NBC.[2]

Television appearances

The Challenge

Devenanzio is the most decorated and one of the most infamous contestants on The Challenge.[3] He is known for a multitude of infamous moments on The Challenge such as keeping the $275,000 earnings from winning partner, Sarah Rice, after she eliminated him on a previous season, in Rivals 3 and being hoisted on the back of Chris "CT" Tamburello during an elimination in Cutthroat. As of 2022, he has won the most seasons of The Challenge with seven seasons and has earned the second highest amount of prize money of all contestants on the competition show accumulating $1,184,720.[4] He also holds the record for the most seasons participated in with twenty-one seasons. He has also competed in spin-offs of The Challenge such as Champs vs. Pros, Champs vs. Stars and World Championship, and in the second season of The Challenge: USA.

Personal life

After filming for the thirty-third season of The Challenge had completed, Devenanzio started dating teammate and castmate and Big Brother: Over the Top winner Morgan Willett. The couple split in September 2021 after Willett claimed Devenanzio was unfaithful.[5][6] Devenanzio was previously in a relationship with Olympic champion Hannah Teter.[7]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Network Role Notes
2006 The Real World: Key West MTV Himself Season 17 (26 episodes, including reunion special)
Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel Contestant Eliminated (1 episode)
2007 Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Inferno 3 Runner-up (17 episodes)
2008 Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Gauntlet III Eliminated (3 episodes)
Real World Awards Bash Himself Won Hottest Male award
Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Island Contestant Winner (9 episodes)
2009 Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins Winner (12 episodes)
2010 The Challenge: Cutthroat Eliminated (10 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
2011 The Challenge: Rivals Winner (12 episodes)
2012 The Challenge: Battle of the Exes Winner (13 episodes)
2013 The Challenge: Rivals II Runner-up (15 episodes)
2014 The Challenge: Free Agents Winner (13 episodes)
2014-2019 The Challenge: After Show Himself Guest (12 episodes)
2015 The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II Contestant Eliminated (15 episodes, including 4 reunion special episodes)
2015-2016 The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines Eliminated (14 episodes, including 3 reunion special episodes)
2016 Robot Chicken Adult Swim Himself Guest, voice only (1 episode)
The Challenge: Rivals III MTV Contestant Winner (15 episodes)
2017 The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions Eliminated (7 episodes, including reunion special)
The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros Eliminated (2 episodes, raised $1,000 for the Special Olympics)
The Challenge XXX: Dirty 30 Eliminated (16 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
Fear Factor Winner (1 episode)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon NBC Himself Guest (1 episode)
American Dad! TBS Johnny Bananas Guest, voice only (1 episode)
2017-2018 The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars MTV Contestant Winner (8 episodes, raised $50,000 for the Special Olympics)
2018 The Challenge: Vendettas Eliminated (12 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
Ex on the Beach Himself Co-host, launch special (1 episode)
The Challenge: Final Reckoning Contestant Eliminated (21 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
UFO Seekers Himself Guest (1 episode)
2018-2019 Celebrity Page Guest (2 episodes)
2018- 1st Look NBC Host All episodes
2019 The Challenge: War of the Worlds MTV Contestant Eliminated (5 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
The Challenge: War of the Worlds 2 Eliminated (7 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
2020 Ridiculousness Himself Guest (1 episode)
Worst Cooks in America Food Network Contestant Season 19 Runner-up (6 episodes)
The Challenge: Total Madness MTV Winner (18 episodes)
2021 Celebrity Sleepover Host 4 episodes
2022-2023 The Challenge: Ride or Dies MTV Contestant Runner-up (21 episodes)
2023 The Challenge: World Championship Paramount+ Eliminated (7 episodes)
The Challenge: USA 2 CBS Finalist (14 episodes)
House of Villains E! Runner-up (10 episodes)
2024 The Traitors Peacock Contestant - Faithful Season 2

Film

Year Title Role
2018 The Head Thieves Rex Flex
2019 Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Guy with Banana

References

  1. ^ a b "Johnny Devenanzio at MM agency". MM Agency. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  2. ^ Falcone, Dana Rose (July 12, 2018). "Johnny Bananas Will Host NBC's 1st Look — Does That Mean He's Done with The Challenge?". People. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  3. ^ Stiernberg, Bonnie (June 4, 2020). "How Johnny Bananas Turned 15 Minutes of Reality TV Fame Into a 15-Year Career". Inside Hook. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  4. ^ Cowley, Joe (14 August 2020). "The Interrogation Room: 'Challenge' G.O.A.T. Johnny Bananas tells it all". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  5. ^ Longeretta, Emily (September 27, 2021). "The Challenge's Johnny 'Bananas' Devenanzio and Morgan Willett Split After Nearly 2 Years Together". Us Weekly. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  6. ^ "The Challenge's Morgan Claims Johnny 'Bananas' Cheated: 'I Had to Leave'". Us Weekly. October 4, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  7. ^ Carpenter, Perry (April 22, 2020). "'The Challenge' Star Johnny Bananas Has a Surprising Dating History That Includes Gold Medalist Hannah Teter". CheatSheet. Retrieved September 30, 2021.

External links

Johnny 'Bananas' Devenanzio at IMDb

The Real World
The Challenge
The Traitors franchise
Categories