While searches on Google about Jeff Probst’s kids have intensified, the truth is he doesn’t have children of his own. However, in 2011, Jeff became the stepfather of Michael Charles and Ava Lorenn through his marriage to their mother, Lisa Ann Russell.

Jeff at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (L). Jeff, Lisa, and their children, Michael and Ava, at the Skirball Cultural Centre (R).
Jeff at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (L). Jeff, Lisa, and their kids, Michael and Ava, at the Skirball Cultural Centre in Los Angeles (R). Photo: Gregg DeGuire, David Livingston (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • Jeff does not have biological children.
  • Probst married the mother of his kids, Lisa Russell, in December 2011.
  • Michael and Ava’s biological father is Mark-Paul Gosselaar, an American actor and Russell’s ex-husband.
  • Probst revealed during an interview in late 2012 that he shares a positive bond with his step-children.

Jeff Probst’s profile summary

Full name Jeffrey Lee Probst
Gender Male
Date of birth 4 November 1961
Age 63 years old (as of September 2025)
Zodiac sign Scorpio
Place of birth Wichita, Kansas, United States
Current residence Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality American
Ethnicity White
Religion Christianity
Sexuality Straight
Height in feet 5’10”
Height in centimetres 179
Weight in pounds 170
Weight in kilograms 77
Hair colour Dark brown
Eye colour Blue
Father Jerry Probst
Mother Barbara
Siblings Two
Marital status Married
Wife Lisa Ann Russell
Children Two
Education Newport High School,Seattle Pacific University,Le Cordon Bleu
Profession Television host, young adult fiction writer, actor, producer, reality TV star
Net worth $50 million
Instagram @jeffprobst

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Get to know Jeff Probst’s kids

The American TV host does not have biological children. However, Probst is a stepfather of two children, a son called Michael and a daughter named Ava. During an interview with Larry King Now in December 2012, Jeff stated that he enjoys a healthy relationship with his two step-children.

They call me dad. And you know when it locked in? When we were together before we got married, they were playing with it. Sometimes it would be dad, sometimes it would be Jeff Dad 2, sometimes it would be D2.

He added,

We got married in my backyard, and when this ring went on my finger, Michael looked up and said, Dad. I could tell he knew now that this big thing was official, and it was real.

Below are more details about Jeff Probst’s stepkids.

1. Michael Charles

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Michael Charles arrives at The Monster Energy Supercross.
Michael Charles arrives at The Monster Energy Supercross at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California. Photo: Brian Feinzimer
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Michael Charles Gosselaar
  • Date of birth: 31 January 2004
  • Age: 21 years old (as of 2025)
  • Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Mother: Lisa Ann Russell

Michael is the firstborn child of Lisa Ann Russell and Mark-Paul Gosselaar. Lisa is an American actress and fashion model, while Mark is an American iconic actor. Michael’s parents tied the knot in 1996 and later divorced in 2011.

Probst later became Michael’s stepfather in December 2011, after he exchanged marriage vows with Lisa Ann Russell. Additionally, Michael has two half-siblings, a brother, Dekker Edward, and a sister, Lachlyn Hope, from his father, Gosselaar’s second marriage to Catriona McGinn.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar revealed to Entertainment Tonight during an interview in August 2016 that his son Michael was aspiring to be an actor like him in the future. He said,

He has athletic ability, but doesn’t want to be an athlete. He wants to do something in this business, so I will support that.

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2. Ava Lorenn

Mark-Paul Gosselaar and daughter Ava Lorenn Gosselaar arrive at the 22nd Annual A Time
Mark-Paul Gosselaar and daughter Ava Lorenn Gosselaar arrive at the 22nd Annual A Time for Heroes Celebrity Carnival at the Wadsworth Theatre in West Los Angeles, California. Photo: Gregg DeGuire
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Ava Lorenn Gosselaar
  • Date of birth: 7 May 2006
  • Age: 19 years old (as of 2025)
  • Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Mother: Lisa Ann Russell

Ava is the youngest child of ex-couples Lisa Ann Russell and Mark-Paul Gosselaar. Like her older brother Michael, she also became one of Jeff Probst’s kids after her mom, Lisa, married Jeff. Lorenn was born on 7 May 2006, making her 19 years old as of this writing.

Do Jeff Probst’s kids have autism?

Many assume that one of Jeff’s stepkids suffers from autism. This belief arose in May 2025 during an episode of Survivor, hosted by Probst. On the show, contestant Eva Erickson broke down in tears as she revealed that she has been autistic since childhood.

Erickson’s confession touched the Wichita native. While holding back tears, Jeff said,

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Eva, it takes so much courage to play survivor for anybody, but for you to come out here knowing something like this might happen, and then be brave enough to share your story. Now you got me. I’m a parent, too.

FAQs

  1. Who is Jeff Probst? Jeff is an accomplished TV host, young adult fiction writer, actor, producer, and reality TV personality from the United States.
  2. How old is Jeff Probst? Probst is 63 years old as of September 2025. He was born on 4 November 1961 in Wichita, Kansas, United States.
  3. What is Jeff Probst’s ethnicity? The American actor is of white ethnic background.
  4. Does Jeff Probst have siblings? Jeff has two younger brothers, Scott Probst and Brent.
  5. How many spouses have been part of Jeff Probst’s family life? Jeff has been married twice. He was first married to Shelley Wright before marrying Lisa Ann Russell in 2011.
  6. Does Jeff Probst have kids? The producer is the stepfather of Michael Charles Gosselaar and Ava Lorenn. Michael and Ava are from Lisa Ann Russell’s previous relationship.
  7. Does Jeff Probst have biological children? No, Probst does not have biological children.
  8. How old are Jeff Probst’s kids? Michael is 21 years old as of 2025, while Ava is 19 years old.
  9. Where do Jeff Probst’s wife and kids live? Jeff, his wife, Lisa, and their two children live in Los Angeles, California, United States.

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Jeff Probst does not have biological children. However, he has two stepkids, Michael Charles Gosselaar and Ava Lorenn. Michael and Ava are from Jeff’s wife, Lisa Ann Russell’s, past marriage with Mark-Paul Gosselaar.

Yen.com.gh recently published an article on Nana Ama McBrown’s children. Nana is a prominent TV show hostess, actress, and song composer from Ghana. She became famous after starring in the television series Tentacles.

Nana Ama McBrown has struggled with fertility issues for many years. She is a mother to one biological and four adopted children. Discover everything about her five adorable children from this article.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

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