By Nate Millado
There are Big Brother greats—from fan favorites Britney Haynes and Daniele Donato to polarizing champs "Evel" Dick Donato and Rachel Reilly. And then there are these five BB legends. As we enter Big Brother's 21st season, see why these five Houseguests hold top player titles for their memorable stints on the CBS' hit reality series.
Will Kirby
Dr. Will Kirby from BB2. He also returned for Big Brother: All-Stars.
Photo Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS
In addition to introducing the term "showmance" to the reality TV lexicon, Dr. Will was the O.G. puppet master!
STREAM: Big Brother Season 2 On CBS All Access
He manipulated his way to victory in BB2 without winning a competition. And with a bull's-eye on his back in BB7's all-star season, he made it to the final four—despite telling everyone he hated them.
Danielle Reyes
Danielle Reyes from BB3.
Photo Credit:Tony Esparza/CBS
Arguably the best player not to win, Danielle's stealth BB3 gameplay was done in by a bitter Jury that got to watch her shady Diary Room sessions before casting votes.
STREAM: Big Brother Season 3 On CBS All Access
Because of this travesty, Jury members are now sequestered and shown only competition footage
Janelle Pierzina
Janelle Pierzina who placed third in both BB6 and BB7.
Photo Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS
The blond bombshell was a competition beast, setting a single-season record for most comps won (nine) and acing POVs when her BB life was on the line.
STREAM: Big Brother Season 6 On CBS All Access
"Jedi Jani" fell short in back-to-back seasons (placing third in BB6 and BB7), but America still awarded her $25,000 as Fan Favorite
Dan Gheesling
Dan Gheesling from BB10 who returned in BB14.
Photo Credit: John P. Filo/CBS
The high school teacher played a perfect game in BB10—never receiving a single eviction vote and besting his Renegade ally by unanimous vote.
STREAM: Big Brother Season 10 On CBS All Access
Dan returned as a "coach" in BB14 and masterminded himself off the block with the most epic game move in Big Brother history: staging his own "funeral.
Derrick Levasseur
Derrick Levasseur tactically won the BB16 game.
Photo Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS
This undercover cop played a flawless social and strategic game to win BB16, using his pro experience to get a good read on fellow Houseguests and orchestrating their evictions without getting any blood on his hands.
STREAM: Big Brother Season 16 On CBS All Access
Derrick himself never received an eviction vote.
Excerpt originally published in Watch Magazine, May-June 2018.
Photo Credits: Monty Brinton/CBS (Chen); Cliff Lipson/CBS (Kirby); Tony Esparza/CBS (Reyes); Sonja Flemming/CBS (Pierzina); John P. Filo/CBS (Gheesling); Cliff Lipson/CBS (Levasseur).
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