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]
Johnny Devenanzio | |
|---|---|
 Devenanzio in 2008 | |
| Born | John Amadeus Devenanzio June 22, 1982 Fullerton, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Johnny Bananas |
| Alma mater | Pennsylvania State University (BS) |
| Occupation | Reality television personality |
| Notes | |
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 |
| The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras | MTV | Contestant |
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Head Thieves | Rex Flex |
| 2019 | Jay and Silent Bob Reboot | Guy with Banana |