Dirk Been
- Actor
Dirk Been is a "Survivor." Long before appearing on the #1 CBS series
"Survivor," Been learned key survival skills including responsibility
and commitment while growing up on his parents Wisconsin dairy farm.
Those childhood lessons instilled a self-disciplined attitude that
continued with Dirk through high school and college. Throughout his
teenage years and after, Dirk continued to work as a sports coach and
counselor with young people with organizations including The Boys &
Girls Club and YMCA. Basketball has always been a part of Dirk's life
especially during college where he was quickly promoted to team captain
and Academic All Conference for 3 years. Shortly after graduating from
Seattle Pacific University in 1998, Dirk decided to explore the world
and traveled around the United States many times sleeping out of his
car. Fate soon intervened while Dirk was visiting a friend in Los
Angeles in 1999 when his ATM credit card was stolen and his bank
account depleted. This incident did not force Dirk to return home but
instead motivated him to seek the opportunity of a lifetime when he
spotted an ad for a new series titled "Survivor." The day before the
deadline Dirk sent in his audition tape and out of 6,000 submissions
Dirk soon learned he was one of the first selected to partake in this
new adventure. Dirk was one of 16 individuals placed on a remote island
and forced to use his own skills combined with teamwork to survive the
unknown. Although he did not walk away with the million-dollar prize,
Dirk gained new insight to life that cannot be measured in dollars. His
new found celebrity status has come as a surprise to Dirk who has been
featured on multiple entertainment and news programs across the country
including national shows such as Late Night With David Letterman, The
Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, The X Show,
Extra, E! Entertainment and Nash Bridges. Dirk's infectious and
positive attitude has overshadowed that which was depicted on the
television program. Most agree Dirk reminds them of the guy everyone
wanted to be friends with in high school. Dirk continues to speak to
today's youth encouraging education, mentorship and living a life free
of drugs and alcohol. His hobbies include spending time with his
family, playing basketball and reading.