The Best Big Brother US Players

The 10 best players to ever play the US Version of Big Brother. Don't agree with the list? Vote for an existing item you think should be ranked higher or if you are a logged in, add a new item for others to vote on or create your own version of this list.

The Top Ten

1
Dan Gheesling - Winner - Big Brother 10
Dan's resume:
- In 2 seasons of playing Big Brother, Dan had never evicted and had never had a vote cast against him
-so far Dan is the only player to have won by a 7-0 vote
-fun fact: in 2 seasons of playing Big Brother, Dan has been on the block 4 times. Of those 4 times, he was veto'd off the block 3 times and by 3 different house guests (Memphis (BB10), Jenn (BB14), Danielle (BB14)). Dan has never won the veto to save himself--he got other people to save him.
-Dan's funeral... Enough said ;)

The proof is in the pudding, folks. I think that Dan's performances in both Big Brother 10 and Big Brother 14 speak for themselves; he is the only player to have made it to final 2 twice and he accomplished this goal by employing 2 different strategies. In Big Brother 10, he was the nice guy who threw competitions in order to build a weak persona until he found the right moment to strike and never looked back. He was a master strategist from the beginning and that stigma was attached to him going into Big Brother 14. On his second go-around, Dan was a huge target as everyone knew that he was a dangerous player. However, even though he was seen as a major threat, he still managed to survive in the house by employing a more ruthless strategy--one that was built on cunning and manipulation. He fought everyday to make himself seem like an asset to everyone because he knew that if he didn't do that, he would have been seen as expendable (as proven the week of his funeral). He was a deadly ninja assassin. He was the puppet master pulling the strings. It was an uphill battle to make it to the end but he did it. Even when he was one foot out the door, he found a way to stay. He dominated his 2 seasons by being able to think a few moves ahead of everyone else and no matter what challenges he had to face--no matter how many times he was called Judas and confronted by enraged house guests--he had never once lost sight of the grand prize. It is for these reasons and so many more that I believe that Dan Gheesling is the best Big Brother player of all time.
Dr. Will is overrated... He never won challenges because he couldn't win anything. Dan had a great strategic mindset and kept to it throughout the game. He never had a single vote cast against him throughout the game and he won unanimously. He was also America's player and played it to the tee. He managed to survive despite his allies being voted out first! Amazing game play!
Dan played an overall "perfect" game. He was a much stronger competitor than Dr. WIll, and was very good at manipulating his peers. Dan had the toughest road to conquer due to an alliance that blew up in the first week. However with perfect strategy (throwing competitions to make himself look weak) and the ability to control his emotions, Dan's target quietly diminished. When need be, Dan backstabbed, lied, and dominated the big brother house. Dan Gheesling is the greatest Big Brother player of all time.
More comments about Dan Gheesling - Winner - Big Brother 10

2Will Kirby - Winner - Season 2
Easily the best BB player in history. While some put down his performance during HOH's and POV's, that was the point of his game. He was behind the scenes and pulled off two miraculous come backs, Season 2 being dead to rights week after week being the #1 target of 10 people and then Season 7 being the only winner on the season and being the main enemy of Season 6 alliance, yet won Season 2 and got 4th on Season 7.
The true and original puppet master in Big Brother history. There have been those who attempted to emulate this style, though none have been as successful as Will Kirby.
Although he is put down for not being able to win competitions, this is part of his strategy. Not only does losing competitions make him appear weak, it allows him to rely more on skill with manipulation than luck with competitions.

Unknown to many, he has actually won $750,000 on Big Brother, after swearing to split the money with Mike Boogie in Season 7, regardless of who the jury chose as victor. This (along with several thousand won in competitions during BB7) makes him the highest-grossing player of all time.

And what other player could convince an entire House to fast for 24 hours?
More comments about Will Kirby - Winner - Season 2

3Janelle Pierzina - Third Place - Season 6
The buxom blonde took the house by storm. Winning challenge after challenge, always speaking her mind, and giving the fans someone to root for.
Best competitor in BB history. Won more competitions than anyone in one season. In the All-stars, she won 4 HOH's and 5 POVs. She was always the target but managed to deflect it in both seasons! She made it to the final 3 in both her seasons and deserved to win them both
Obviously one of the best competitors Big Brother has ever seen.
More comments about Janelle Pierzina - Third Place - Season 6

4Danielle Reyes - Runner Up - Season 3

Played a nearly flawless game. Would have won if there was a Jury House.

Played the best strategy ever used in Big Brother history. She created a secret alliance with the most likeable guy in the house. She acted as if she was in an alliance with one side of the house and Jason on the opposite side and fed each other info while no one discovered their pairing. If either side won HOH, they would convince them not to put the other up. She used the "keep your mouth shut and your ears open" approach and everyone thought she was a weak player, hence why she was never nominated. Had there been a jury, I know for a fact we would be talking about the winner of BB3.

the most stratigic player to play the game, with the exception of will kirby. she played the game like chess protecting jason ^^ herself, and using the rest as sacrifical pawns. even the MAN dr. will says she's "the best player to have never won the game"

More comments about Danielle Reyes - Runner Up - Season 3

5Daniele Donato - Runner Up - Season 8
She carried her dad through the game. She ended up in the final two chair but lost to her dad even though she won 2 HOHs and 5 POVs. Personally I think she is one of the best house guests to ever play the game.
One of the best players to ever play Big Brother. Amazing competitor, great game player. She left too soon in season 13 but I hope to see her in an upcoming All Stars season.
Her and her father both put all they had into it! They worked their hardest to get to the end and never let anything stop them! I think they are probably the best duo that could have ever played!
More comments about Daniele Donato - Runner Up - Season 8

6Dick Donato - Winner - Big Brother 8
The loud mouthed father managed to get to the end with his daughter by his side. Something no other pair has ever managed to do.
he's the best! in my opinion and deserved to win the season of big brother 8 its sad to see him walked because he deserved to win this season as well oh well daniele the runner up can this win it though gl daniele and others this season on big brother
Dick is the only reason Dani is even on this list. Dani failed when left on her on to play in Season 13
More comments about Dick Donato - Winner - Big Brother 8

7Jun Song - Winner - Season 4
Season 4 winner Jun Song perfected the floated strategy and won by taking the least liked person to the finals.

8Mike Malin - Winner - Season 7
He is one of the best manipulators to ever playte game of Big Brother. He single handedly took out the number 3 on this list(Janelle) twice. He Should definitely be in the top 10!
The best. He won all stars with the best startegy hang behind will and jet in, this is an absolute abomination that he's not in the top three
he won all-stars which put the best against the best!
More comments about Mike Malin - Winner - Season 7

9Eric Stein - 5th Place - Season 8
He honestly had the potential to be the best player of all time. The problem was that he had to do what America told him to do, and the remarkable thing about it was that no matter what he had to do, he found a way to not only make that happen, but keep himself in the game despite the target it put on him. He was able to flip alliances at any time to get America what they wanted, but unfortunately for him, at the top five, he was eliminated by the people America made him save, who he otherwise would've evicted weeks earlier.
I am 90% sure Eric would have won if he wasn't America's Player. The way he handled himself in the game, and thought every single route out, shows how genius his playing and tatics are. He had several chances to get the Donato's out of the game, unfortantly, he couldn't due to his AP statis.
The best player to ever play the game! Would have won if not for the America's Player twist hanging over his head forcing him to keep the most unworthy final 2 in the game.
More comments about Eric Stein - 5th Place - Season 8

10Alison Irwin - Runner Up - Season 4
Although many have since tried and failed, Alison Irwin is the only houseguest in history to use her looks and flirting to take the Big Brother house by storm. Whether she was swapping spit with Nathan or climbing into bed and making out with her ex Justin, Alison had most of the guys under her spell at one point or another in the game and ran that house. Not to mention, she was a good competitor and won a number of competitions to boot. She only lost because the jury was bitter and didn't approve of her or the way she played the game, and she stands next to Danielle Reyes as the most robbed houseguest of all time.
Loved her! She used everyone for her dirty work, and if the jury had not been so bitter, she would have been the winner of Big Brother 4. I was appalled when she was first out of All-Stars
This competitive beauty queen used nearly everyone in the house to her benefit before being deemed too unlikeable by the final jury.
More comments about Alison Irwin - Runner Up - Season 4

The Contenders

11Drew Daniels - Winner - Season 5

Flipping on his alliances and booting some of his closest pals helped this quiet guy win Season 5. Being likeable, handsome, and under the radar didn't hurt either.


12Maggie Ausburn - Winner - Season 6
If people were objective Maggie would be at the top of the list. She was a master manipulator and did an amazing job of controlling her alliance. She got them to do all of her dirty work while she sat back and made the next moves. Also, how can anyone rank Janelle ahead of Maggie? Maggie totally outplayed Janelle when it came to strategy and that's what counts most in BB. No one is going to win just being a good comp player. In one brilliant move Maggie started the chain reaction that led to the demise of the Sovereign Six. That move was convincing Howie (HOH at the time) to put up two of his own people. For being such a great strategist Kaysar wasn't even in the same league as Maggie. Maggie is the best to play this game with Dan, Dr. Will and Danielle Reyes (in no particular order) being very close behind. People like Janelle don't deserve to be in the top 10.
Maggie is an underrated winner. After losing her secret partner, Cappy, she created one of the most notorious alliances in the history of the show: The Friendship. She was the unspoken leader of this alliance and manipulated them to do her dirty work. Possibly her best move was to convince the other members of her alliance that if they betrayed The Friendship, no one would vote for them to win the money. Maggie was the best alliance leader in Big Brother history and one of the most deserving winners.
Created a team of followers and held them together with almost a cult like ability. Then let them take the fall for her dirty work.
More comments about Maggie Ausburn - Winner - Season 6

13Hayden Moss - Winner - Season 12

14Matt Hoffman - 7th Place - Season 12

Most strategic player in his alliance, The Brigade. Played most of the house into being his allies.
Created a lie about his wife being sick for sympathy, could have worked very well if he got to the end. Probably could have won if he hadn't lost the Brigade's trust.

koenbertens


15Natalie Martinez - Season 11
If I have to choose between Natalie and Dr. Will as a best player in BB history I will vote for Natalie. She did definitely more than well-known Doctor. She not only manipulated, lied, schemed, but also came to BB house will brilliant strategy. Acting as a 18 years old girl, which every houseguest treats like a little sister and not as a strong player, competitor. She was playing BB game 24/7, but unfortunately her effort wasn't appreciated by many fans (still can not understand a lot of haters).

She MUST be in BB All Stars, because it will not be All Stars without her.
She deserve to be in BBAS. She is one of the best players in BB history and Her strategy was brilliant, I don't know why people hate her, they are dumb and can not understand that her immature behavior was part of the excellent strategy. That was perfect psychological game. She was totally underestimated by people, such a amazing strategy.
She should be higher in this ranking. She did something new in BB, that was masterful plan - manipulate all houseguests and pretending all the time 18 years old girl, which is naive, gullible, not big threat. She played and acted so good as the 18 years old girl that even most of viewers believed that it is really Natalie. Briliant strategy.
More comments about Natalie Martinez - Season 11

16Sheila Kennedy - 3rd Place - Season 9

split the house in half by getting Ryan to put up James instead of Matt, putting her on the stronger side.

koenbertens

She caused the most pivotal move of the game bu bringing a highly successful alliance later to be run by Natalie, and then organized Natalie's eviction five weeks later, and managed to get to the top three with two of her closest allies. Unfortunately, the winner of the final HOH was neither her, or her partner Adam, and she was evicted in third place, just shy of the final jury vote.


17Frank Eudy - Big Brother 14

Frank was constantly up on the block and was only evicted because nobody trusted him, for no reason. He played an honest game and was the best physical competitor ever!

Frank was unbelievable this year. He was a super competitor. Had it not been for the coaches twists - he would have run away with the game!

Unbelievable competitor... I hope they bring him back for another season!

More comments about Frank Eudy - Big Brother 14

18Mike Boogie - Winner

19Nakomis Dedmon - 4th Place - Season 5

The Six Finger Plan was one of the smartest, most impressive moves in Big Brother history.

The gothic chick that no one expected to do well came charging out of the gate with one of the series' best strategic moves - The six finger plan.


20Lisa Donahue - Winner - Season 3

21Shelly Moore - 6th place - Season 13

Played both sides (newbies vs. the vets) beautifully the first half of the game, and then turned on the vets at the right moment, trying to make a big move and keep Daniele. Unfortunately, Adam was too spineless to make a big move. However, she then helped evict the biggest threat left in the game, Jeff. She would have made it even further if it wasn't for that stupid Pandora's Box twist.

janiepierzina


22Jordan Lloyd - Winner - Season 11

Had a heart of gold, she hardly won but she won because she was making deals and being nice.


23Memphis Garrett - Runner Up - Season 10

24Rachel Reilly - 9th Place - Season 12
Probably the only person in big brother history that was both an emotional train wreck and a very good big brother player at the same time. How she won Big Brother 13 was a little bit of luck (in the form of convenient twists) and a lot of heart and determination. Would not be surprised if the producers asked the red head to come back for a third outing.
Greatest comeback story in reality T.V. History. Was the most hated houseguest in season 12 and at the start of season 13. Yet towards the end of season 13, America began cheering for her and was happy when she won.
She was first one in the jury in season 12 then season 13 she wins 4-3 for being competitive, from the Veterans alliance ( except Daniele ).
More comments about Rachel Reilly - 9th Place - Season 12

25Jeff Schroeder - 7th Place - Season 11

He played really hard and backdoored Daniele in season 13 but the clown shoe sealed his fait.


26Jason Guy - 3rd Place - Season 3

27Natalie Cunial - 5th Place - Season 9

Love her or hate her, Big Brother 9's resident Jesus loving skank led one of the series most successful alliances before being cut by the same people she protected.


28Nicole Nilson Schaffrich - Runner Up - Season 2

Very under rated player. She positioned herself perfectly around top 6, and everyone felt as though they could trust her. Not to mention she was expected to be the first person evicted and was able to get herself out of that through pure manipulation.


29Renny Martyn - 5th Place - Season 10

30Michele Noonan - 4th place Big Brother 11

She was the nerdy girl nobody expected to do well, and yet she made it to the final four by winning competitions, staying under the radar and making the right deals with the right players.


31Kevin Campbell - 3rd Place - Season 11

32Ragan Fox - 5th Place - Season 12

33James Rhine - 7th Place - Season 6

34Ian Terry - NA - Season 14
Survived an early scare, and then positioned himself extremely well going down the line. Ian was in a "golden" position from Day 4 all the way to Day 48 -- the only people really going after him were people that would never be able to win HoH (Jenn, Joe, Ashley), while the ones that could win comps and wanted him out were evicted very quickly (JoJo, Willie, Janelle).

Sure he was clueless of any voting dynamics from Day 62 onward, but that's only 13 days of game, and he had a very good grasp (if not the best) of voting dynamics during the first 62 days. Also, to his credit, it doesn't really matter, as he nearly won out from Final 9 onward. $500,000 well-earned.
Stayed very quiet throughout the season, making alliances and going far in the game.
14 season hasnt even finished but everyone thinks he's so weak but is the strongest player because off his smarts
More comments about Ian Terry - NA - Season 14

35Diane Henry - 3rd Place - Season 5

She kept a balance between her alliance with Drew, and her group alliance with Nakomis, Will, Karen, and Adria. If someone in her group alliance won HOH, she was safe, and if someone in Drew's alliance won, she could talk him into getting his allies to save her. She could also talk him into getting out some of his own allies. She made a fatal mistake by sticking with Drew and Michael and getting rid of Karen and Nakomis, because she was out in third, and Drew and Michael got rid of the coattails they've been riding.

By far the best player of BB5. The only reason I see her being so far in the ranking is her poor performance in the all-star

Very underrated player... Every true big brother fan know she would have won season 5 had she made it to the finale


36Enzo Palumbo - 3rd Place - Season 12

Forget that other comment about him being from the east coast. He probably knew that he was not going to be good in competitions, so he made an alliance with himself, the physically strongest player(Lane), the smartest player(Matt), and the person in power(Hayden). Even if they were discovered, he would probably be the last to go since he was the least threatening. Also played an amazing social game.

janiepierzina

From the east coast. That was a big part of his strategy. I wasn't too surprised that he was from the east coast personally, because he is. I think that was a big part of his strategy. He wasn't the big dog on campus, as he wa


37Erika Landin - 2nd Place - Season 7

Dr Will himself admitted that he underestimated her, and it cost him his game

This underestimated player flew under the radar most of the time in the all-star season, but nobody can't deny that she is directly responsible for the eviction of two of the best players of the season, Danielle and Dr Will.


38Porsche Briggs - 2nd Place - Season 13

Only strategized when she needed to, won the crucial competitions, and played a good social game where she was never seen as the head of her alliance. Unlike Rachel, who only played based on winning competitions, she played all three strategies(competitive, strategic, social) and even Evel Dick admitted she played great. Unfortunately, others were too busy kissing veterans butt and helped Rachel take the win.

The queen of the "under the radar" strategy avoided being evicted and won the most crucial competitions when it truly mattered.

Same as the previous comment. Jeff said she slept the first 50 days. Why wouldn't she if she had the golden key? You saw what happened to Dani when she made a move while she was safe. And people are wrong when they say she was a floater. Think about it. She was with Rachel at the start, and flipped sides ONCE after Rachel screwed her. Once her allies were gone, she kept herself safe with the veto and made a deal with Rachel. If Rachel wasn't a veteran, Porsche would've won.

More comments about Porsche Briggs - 2nd Place - Season 13

39Libra Thompson - 8th Place - Season 10

40Kalia Booker - 5th Place - Season 13

41Adam Poch - 3rd Place - Season 13

He made it not by winning but by making deals being with newbies and veterans.


42Kathy Hillis - 7th Place - Season 12

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This list was created 5 years, 33 days ago and has been voted on over 1,000 times. This top ten list has been remixed 29 times.

Updated Friday, May 24, 2013


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