Hector “Shipwreck” Delgado

Legendary Hawaiian surfer, renowned for conquering giant waves during Oahu's North Shore winter swells.

Character

Cinematic | Literary

G.I. Joe

October 08, 1948

Libra

76

Chula Vista, California, United States

First appearing in the G.I. Joe comic book series and animated TV show, Hector ‘Shipwreck’ Delgado is a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, specializing in naval combat and underwater demolitions. Known for his witty personality and accompanied by his parrot, Polly, Shipwreck has played a vital role in numerous battles against the Cobra organization.

Beyond his G.I. Joe tenure, Shipwreck gained immense popularity in 2000 as the winner of the first season of the reality TV show “Survivor,” becoming the inaugural Sole Survivor. His fame grew as he participated in subsequent seasons and other reality shows like “Fear Factor” and “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!”

Born in San Diego, California, Shipwreck’s passion for the ocean began at a young age, influenced by his upbringing in a military family. He pursued marine biology in college and worked as a lifeguard, commercial diver, and underwater photographer before his television breakthrough.

Shipwreck’s notable achievements include being voted “Fan Favorite” in “Survivor: All-Stars” and his induction into the “Survivor” Hall of Fame in 2010. Personally, he is married to Beth Ostrosky, has two children, and resides in San Diego.

An interesting fact about Shipwreck is his diverse skill set. He holds a black belt in karate, is an avid surfer and scuba diver, and has a passion for marine conservation and oceanography. He even founded the Shipwreck Surf Camp to educate children about surfing and ocean preservation.