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What Happened to Puck Rainey From 'The Real World'? Let's Discuss

MTV's legendary show 'The Real World' was one of the first reality shows, but what are its stars up to now? Whatever happened to Puck?

While MTV's smash hit The Real World: San Francisco didn't invent the idea of reality TV, it certainly cemented reality TV in pop culture history. Fans of The Real World have been discussing what the former cast members are doing nearly 30 years after the show. Cast member David "Puck" Rainey was notorious for antagonizing his housemates, but what happened to him?

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So, what happened to Puck on 'The Real World'?

For those unfamiliar with The Real World, the basic plot of the show is pretty similar to most reality television premises today. The Real World started in 1992 and packed a group of 20-somethings into an apartment in New York City. The second season focused on young people in Los Angeles. The third season was where MTV hit their sweet spot, and the show was focused on cast members living in San Francisco. 

Puck was known significantly as the most divisive cast member, and even his appearance on the premiere was loaded with tension after he was picked up by the police for a traffic incident. In addition to this, he consistently engaged in conflicts with his cast members, including his lack of consideration for others, hygiene issues, and perhaps the most disturbing, harassment of a housemate who had AIDS.

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📺MTV Primetime, August 25, 1994:
— On ‘The Real World: San Francisco,’ the cast votes to evict Puck from the house following Puck’s abusive behavior toward Pedro pic.twitter.com/hydI1Ki3r3

— RetroNewsNow (@RetroNewsNow) August 26, 2019 Source: Twitter

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What is Puck up to now?

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In an interview with MTV in 2013, Puck looks back at his life and career and discusses The Real World. He has been living "off the grid" since his return from prison, on a farm with chickens, vegetables, and enough room to race four-wheel ATVs. 

Puck does, however, have a bone to pick with Glee for ripping off his nickname, which he says, "I'm confused about that. Because here I am, hard-core Puck, I'm a cool guy. So that show, those f--kers stole my name."

Unfortunately, if fans were waiting for Puck to make an appearance at the upcoming The Real World: Homecoming special on Paramount Plus, it doesn't look like he's going to be included. Fans of the show can only hope that his time in prison has let to a more considerate, peaceful life outside the realm of television. 

The Real World: Homecoming will air on Paramount Plus starting March 4, 2021.

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Zora Stowers

Update: 2024-05-22