Born in Abilene, Texas, Coby Archa has also lived in Durham, North Carolina, New York City and Lansing, Michigan. Archa admits to some misguided teenage years, in which he got in trouble with the law and ended up quitting high school. When he was 17 years old, he was arrested and charged with larceny. He was sentenced to seven months in jail and five years probation, an experience that forced Archa to make a conscious decision to turn his life around. He thanks his mother, Bonnie, for sticking by his side and helping him become the man he is today.
Archa studied at the Aladdin Beauty College and received his license from the Texas Cosmetology Commission. He currently co-owns a hair salon with his best friend, Amanda. He enjoys traveling, taking photos, visiting museums or painting. He has acted in local and professional theatre and loves being involved in anything artistic.
His birth date is September 8, 1972.
Survivor: Palau
Coby Archa upon seeing Angie Jakusz, knew he was not going to be the only odd man out. The two bonded over the course of the day. On Day two, it was revealed the tribes would be formed by a schoolyard pick and the last two unpicked would by eliminated. Coby was selected by Jennifer Lyon to be on her tribe. When it was his turn, Coby opted to pick Caryn Groedel over Angie. Coby's tribe would by called Koror. At the first immunity challenge, the tribe decided to only take a fire-making kit. This would give Koror the win. When offered to move to a new beach, Tom Westman convinced the tribe to moved to the unhabited beach. Coby formed a friendship with Janu Tornell. Koror would generally dominate challenge over the unorganized Ulong.
On Day 9, tree mail asked the tribes to pick a representive for the reward challenge, which was a construction project. Coby, Caryn and Janu wanted to do it, but Tom ignored them in favor of Ian Rosenberger or Gregg Carey . Coby realized that Tom, Ian, Katie Gallagher, Jennifer, and Gregg was in a alliance , leaving him, Janu, Caryn and Willard Smith in the minority. Koror won the challenge, having a construction team remodel their shelter. At the immunity challenge, Coby proved him a force in challenge when faced offed against Ulong's James Miller and defeat him two times, giving Koror its fourth immunity. After the challenge, Coby noticed that Jennifer and Gregg's friendship turned romantic in nature. The next challenge was purely for reward, with the stipulation that both tribe go to tribal council. Koror won, giving the group Beef stew and the right to spy on Ulong's tribal council. Tom deemed Willard the next to go for being a liability and can float all the way Final Tribal Council. Coby preferred Katie to get the boot, but he knew that voting against Katie will only isolated him from the tribe. Gregg told Coby that once its down to seven, he and Jennifer planned flip to Coby and Janu. Coby was delighted by the revealation
The day after Willard's disposal, everyone did chores at camp. Katie still did not do as much as the other though, annoying Coby and Caryn. Coby participated at the next reward challenge with Tom, Gregg and Caryn against Ulong's last four members. Although it came down to the wire, Ulong won when Caryn missed a target. Ian, Katie, Jennifer and Janu won Koror immunity again. The next reward challenge, tribes had to build a Distress signal. Coby agreed with Katie, Caryn and Gregg doing the challenge for creativity, work ethic and strength respectively. The trio gave Koror another win. Coby was responsible for Koror earning its sixth immunity straight. Coby thought it was mind boggling that a tribe could do so well. At Camp, Coby was getting more frustrated by Jennifer and Katie's lack of work ethic and Janu's increasing moodiness. He also believes that the men was waiting on them hand and foot, encouraging the women behavior. Coby and Gregg won immunity for Koror again, ensuring that all of Koror will be on the jury.
On Day 21, bored, everyone noticed something. It was a boat, being paddled by Ulong's last member, Stephenie LaGrossa. She handed them a container, which a fresh new brown buff and a note telling them that the individual phase had started. Coby was thrilled as he was ready to tell Stephenie about everything in the tribe, alliances and all. At the first opportunity, he revealed about the alliance of Tom, Ian, Katie, Jennifer and Gregg, among other things. The others was irked and terrifed about the predicument. A Palauan fisherman came to the beach, wanting people to come with him. Coby insisted the other men to go while he made bait, so he came just be away from them. At night, everyone feasted on fish and rum and other things. At the first immunity challenge, Coby was the first to jump in for donuts and iced coffee. Janu quickly followed him. Tribal council was held immediately after the challenge. Coby was deemed both nuisance and a to big of a threat to go uncheck. Coby was voted out in a 7-1-1 vote, becoming the first member of the Jury
At final tribal coucil, Coby scalded Katie for her attitude, weakness in challenges, and poor work ethic. He made it very clear that if he writes Katie's name down for the million dollars, it is a vote against Tom. Coby told Tom that he as much as a played a dirty game as Coby wanted to play whether he admitted or not and will decide his vote based on the answers of the other jurors. Viewing Katie's answers as honest, he cast his jury vote for her. Coby's sole vote for Katie prevented Tom from having the first perfect game of the series.
