The Biggest Loser franchise has mourned the deaths of some of the show’s contestants over the years.
NBC debuted the reality series in 2004, which followed a group of people deemed overweight who would compete in a 30-week competition. The goal was to lose as many pounds as possible to be crowned “the biggest loser.”
The Biggest Loser became a cultural phenomenon and ran for 18 seasons. Despite being a ratings success, The Biggest Loser received criticism for allegedly pushing contestants to lose weight through intense exercise and calorie-restricted diets.
While producers — and trainers — who worked on the show denied the accusations, many contestants revealed that they struggled to maintain their weight loss long-term after appearing on The Biggest Loser. In fact, some have opened up about weighing more after being on the show than before.
Reality TV Tragedies: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths
Keep scrolling for the most heartbreaking The Biggest Loser tragedies over the years:
Adam Capers
After competing in season 7, Capers died in Japan at the age of 48 in 2017.
Estella Hayes
Season 7 alum Hayes passed away in 2023 at age 78.
Damien Gurganious
Gurganious, who appeared in season 7, was later diagnosed with rare autoimmune disorder idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. He died in 2014 at age 38 after suffering bleeding in his brain.
Daniel ‘Dan’ Wright
Wright was another season 7 contestant on The Biggest Loser. He died in 2019, nearly two years after being diagnosed with leukemia.
Blaine Cotter
Years after competing in season 7, Cotter died in 2020 at age 39 from possible complications after being diagnosed with COVID.
Cathy Skell
Season 7 alum Skell died at age 63 in 2022 after a short and unexpected illness, according to her obituary.
Most Shocking Celebrity Deaths of All Time
Darrell Hough
After appearing in season 9, Hough died in 2021 at age 57 after a battle with bone cancer.
Tina Elliott
Season 10 contestant Elliott died in 2018 at age 66 from a glioblastoma brain tumor.
Dan Evans
After an 18-month battle with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, Evans died in 2023. He previously appeared in season 11 of The Biggest Loser.
Hap Holmstead
Holmstead died in 2020 at age 32 following a scooter accident. He appeared in season 15 of the hit NBC series.
