A player doesn't have to win the game to become a Big Brother legend. While viewers root for their favorites to win the game, only one person can take home the win, and many of the other house guests still remain fan favorites. Of course, the biggest prize is taking home first place, but being America's favorite houseguest counts for something. No matter how long players last in the game, viewers can vote for any of the houseguests to win the America's favorite houseguest prize of $25,000 which has increased to $50,000 this year.
Players may not be the best at the game of Big Brother, but if they make a lasting impression on viewers they are in the running to walk away with something on the finale night. Some of the best Big Brother players and legends have won this prize, which is a great accomplishment. Here are the last 10 players who left the game with the title of Amerca's favorite houseguest.
Jeff Schroeder
Big Brother legend and fan-favorite Jeff Schroeder is the only player to win America's favorite houseguest twice. While Jeff was mostly known for his Big Brother showmance with Jordyn Lloyd in season 11, he was also known as America's favorite houseguest. His sincere and romantic side came out in season 11 which fans loved him for.
When he came back to play season 13 with Jordyn for the second time, fans hadn't changed their mind about him. Although he only made it to 5th place in season 11 and 7th place in season 13, fans showed their love to him by voting for him to win the prize not only once but twice, leaving him with a total of $50,000.
Britney Haynes
Britney Haynes was a Big Brother houseguest on seasons 12 and 14, and although she couldn't pull off the win, she walked away with America's favorite houseguest prize in season 12. Not only did she have a great social game, but she was also known for her sense of humor, fun personality, and her diary room commentary.
She placed fourth in season 12 when her fellow houseguest Enzo cast the sole vote to evict her, because she was the only player left that was not part of the final alliance. Her unlucky gameplay wasn't as unlucky as she thought when she received her America's favorite houseguest prize on finale night. When she came back to play the game in season 14, she didn't take home the win or America's favorite houseguest, but she still remains a fan favorite of the show and a great social competitor.
Frank Eudy
Frank Eudy is another player to play the game twice and fall short of winning the game. With two chances to play, he only made it to 7th place in season 14 and 12th place in season 18. He is remembered for being a strong physical threat and competitor after becoming the first male to win six competitions in season 12.
Although he was loved by America, he wasn't a favorite among other houseguests, which was made clear when he was nominated for eviction every week that he didn't have safety. Dodging evictions for many weeks made a lasting impression on viewers when they voted for him to win America's favorite houseguest.
Donny Thompson
Donny Thompson was an underdog in season 16, but that didn't stop him from becoming a fan favorite early on. He was a fan favorite because of his kind and genuine personality, and America showed their love for him when they voted for him to be one of three players in the Team America alliance twist where America would delegate the alliance-specific tasks. This gave him a little bit of a leg up in the game and his lasting impression on America ultimately won him America's favorite houseguest prize on finale night.
He received 5.2 million votes to win, which is the highest number of votes in Big Brother history, so although he didn't succeed in the game, he became a Big Brother legend by winning over America and accomplishing this achievement.
James Huling
Houseguest and prankster of seasons 17 and 18, James Huling was a Big Brother player that is hard to forget. He finished 7th place in season 17 but luckily he didn't walk away empty-handed and received America's favorite houseguest. Not only was he known for his fun and sweet personality, but he made a lasting impression when he was the last person standing from the 'Goblins' alliance.
When he came back for a second chance after testing out the Big Brother waters, he became a part of the 8-pack alliance that controlled the house and made it to third place overall. On finale night it was revealed that he was in the top three players to win America's favorite houseguest again, proving that he was still a fan favorite, but he ultimately lost the prize to Victor Arroyo in season 18.
Victor Arroyo
Victor Arroyo faced an uphill battle in the Big Brother house during season 18. In week two Victor got sent walking out the door when he was evicted with a nine to one vote. Lucky for him, that wasn't the end of his time in the Big Brother house, and his early eviction didn't define his time in the game. He won the battle back competition and re-entered the house in week five, and from there on he became a competition beast.
He was evicted for the second time in week 9 by his alliance members. As if he didn't get lucky enough with a second chance in the game, a third time was the charm for him when he won his way back into the house again by winning the jury re-entry competition. Although he worked hard and put up a fight in the Big Brother house, he didn't manage to take home the win.
Cody Nickson
Cody Nickson from season 19 is remembered for his showmance with his now-wife, Jessica Graf, and he won America over with his romantic and soft side in the Big Brother house. He wasn't afraid to play the game either, which was evident when he tried to get a strong competitor out of the game early on and then turned on his allies.
When he knew he was going home, his main goal before leaving the house was to prevent his showmance Jess from following him out the door. Ultimately, his overall sweet personality and loyalty to Jess set him up to win America's favorite houseguest.
Tyler Crispen
Tyler Crispen, a Big Brother legend from seasons 20 and 22, was a jack of all trades in the house. He was a smart strategic player, a strong physical competitor, a fighter, and even had a showmance in season 20. His alliance 'level six' controlled the game in season 20 and ultimately played a big part in his success in the Big Brother house. His fierce gameplay earned him second place and his sweet and fun personality earned him America's favorite houseguest prize, which meant he would walk away from finale night with two cash prizes.
When he came back for a second chance to win the game, he secured his place in another powerful alliance which brought him to fifth place. His time in the house almost ended early when he tried to convince Christmas, the current head of household, to send him home after feeling guilty about fights with other houseguests. On finale night it was revealed that he was in the top two to win America's favorite houseguest, proving to still be a fan favorite but ultimately losing that prize to Da'vonne.
Nicole Anthony
Nicole Anthony from seasons 21 and 22 is a Big Brother contestant who is hard to forget because of her loyal and compassionate gameplay as well as her inseparable friendship with another fan favorite, Cliff Hogg. Her under-the-radar gameplay and strong connections got her to the final three, but when it came down to protecting herself and making it to finale night, she wasn't able to win part one or part two of the final HOH competition.
After leaving her fate in the hands of another player to bring her to the final two, she was let down and ultimately sent home by Jackson Michie. Her genuine personality was admirable during the game, and not only did her kind personality and genuine gameplay get her to the final three, but it won her America's favorite houseguest of season 21.
Da'Vonne Rogers
Da'Vonne Rogers from seasons 17, 18, and 22 was mostly known for her dominant personality in the Big Brother house. While it rubbed some of her fellow houseguests the wrong way at times, America appreciated her authenticity and ferocious gameplay. All of the time she spent in the Big Brother house was nothing short of chaotic and exciting because of her strategic and upfront strategy to play the game which ultimately put a target on her back.
While playing in three seasons of Big Brother may seem like an advantage, she couldn't quite make it to the end and was seen as too much of a threat in the house for her fellow houseguests to keep her around. Each time playing the game she did get progressively better, finishing 16th in season 17, 11th in season 18 and, 10th in season 22. Ultimately, her resume of strong gameplay, fun personality, personal connections made, and funny diary room commentary over her three seasons earned her America's Favorite houseguest.