Johnny Devenanzio Explained

Johnny Bananas
Other Names:Johnny Bananas
Birth Name:John Amadeus Devenanzio
Birth Date:1982 6, mf=yes
Birth Place:Fullerton, California, U.S.
Occupation:Reality television personality
Alma Mater:Pennsylvania State University (BS)

John Amadeus Devenanzio (born June 22, 1982),[1] better known as Johnny Bananas, is an American 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, and he hosted it until 2023.[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 .

Personal life

After filming for the thirty-third season of The Challenge had completed, Devenanzio started dating teammate and castmate and 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

2006MTVHimselfSeason 17 (26 episodes, including reunion special)
ContestantEliminated (1 episode)
2007Runner-up (17 episodes)
2008Eliminated (3 episodes)
Real World Awards BashHimselfWon Hottest Male award
ContestantWinner (9 episodes)
2009Winner (12 episodes)
2010Eliminated (10 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
2011Winner (12 episodes)
2012Winner (13 episodes)
2013Runner-up (15 episodes)
2014Winner (13 episodes)
2014-2019The Challenge: After ShowHimselfGuest (12 episodes)
2015ContestantEliminated (15 episodes, including 4 reunion special episodes)
2015-2016Eliminated (14 episodes, including 3 reunion special episodes)
2016Robot ChickenAdult SwimHimselfGuest, voice only (1 episode)
MTVContestantWinner (15 episodes)
2017Eliminated (7 episodes, including reunion special)
Eliminated (2 episodes, raised $1,000 for the Special Olympics)
Eliminated (16 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
Fear FactorWinner (1 episode)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonNBCHimselfGuest (1 episode)
American Dad!TBSJohnny BananasGuest, voice only (1 episode)
2017-2018The Challenge: Champs vs. StarsMTVContestantWinner (8 episodes, raised $50,000 for the Special Olympics)
2018Eliminated (12 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
Ex on the BeachHimselfCo-host, launch special (1 episode)
ContestantEliminated (21 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
UFO SeekersHimselfGuest (1 episode)
2018-2019Celebrity PageGuest (2 episodes)
2018-20231st LookNBCHostAll episodes
2019MTVContestantEliminated (5 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
Eliminated (7 episodes, including 2 reunion special episodes)
2020RidiculousnessHimselfGuest (1 episode)
Worst Cooks in AmericaFood NetworkContestantSeason 19 Runner-up (6 episodes)
MTVWinner (18 episodes)
2021Celebrity SleepoverHost4 episodes
2022-2023MTVContestantRunner-up (21 episodes)
2023Paramount+Eliminated (7 episodes)
The Challenge: USA 2CBSFinalist (14 episodes)
House of VillainsE!Runner-up (10 episodes)
2024The TraitorsPeacockContestant - FaithfulSeason 2
MTVContestant

Film

YearTitleRole
2018The Head ThievesRex Flex
2019Jay and Silent Bob RebootGuy with Banana

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Johnny Devenanzio at MM agency . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090228093609/http://www.mm-agency.com/johnny-devenanzio . February 28, 2009 . August 18, 2021 . MM Agency.
  2. Web site: Falcone . Dana Rose . July 12, 2018 . Johnny Bananas Will Host NBC's 1st Look — Does That Mean He's Done with The Challenge? . December 29, 2020 . People.
  3. Web site: Stiernberg . Bonnie . June 4, 2020 . How Johnny Bananas Turned 15 Minutes of Reality TV Fame Into a 15-Year Career . December 29, 2020 . Inside Hook.
  4. Web site: Cowley . Joe . 14 August 2020 . The Interrogation Room: 'Challenge' G.O.A.T. Johnny Bananas tells it all . December 29, 2020 . Chicago Sun-Times.
  5. Web site: The Challenge’s Johnny ‘Bananas’ Devenanzio and Morgan Willett Split After Nearly 2 Years Together. Longeretta, Emily. Us Weekly. September 27, 2021. September 30, 2021.
  6. Web site: October 4, 2021 . The Challenge's Morgan Claims Johnny 'Bananas' Cheated: 'I Had to Leave' . May 12, 2022 . Us Weekly . en-US.
  7. Web site: 'The Challenge' Star Johnny Bananas Has a Surprising Dating History That Includes Gold Medalist Hannah Teter. Carpenter, Perry. CheatSheet. April 22, 2020. September 30, 2021.