What The Cast Of Baywatch Looks Like Today

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In the 90s, “Baywatch” became so popular that it led to multiple spin-offs, a TV movie, and a film 15 years later. There are even rumors of a possible remake in development. It’s hard to believe that this show was almost lost forever when NBC cancelled it after only one season in 1990. The series, which focused on lifeguards patrolling the beaches of Los Angeles and Hawaii, braved the unpredictable currents of syndication for its second season. At its height, “Baywatch” attracted over a billion viewers worldwide. Many of its cast members also achieved global stardom, with David Hasselhoff enjoying another successful TV venture following “Knight Rider.

Among the main cast of “Baywatch,” Hasselhoff stood out for his consistent performance as Mitch Buchannon, the former lifeguard turned private eye. Only a couple of actors, such as Jeremy Jackson (portraying Mitch’s son Hobie) and Michael Newman (playing the character of the same name, who was a real-life lifeguard), came close in terms of appearances, with both appearing in over 150 episodes. Lastly, it’s impossible to discuss “Baywatch” without mentioning Pamela Anderson, who made her way to the 100-episode milestone as well.

Apart from that group, several actors served on “Baywatch” for varying durations, ranging from one to six seasons, with two seasons being the norm. Since these actors bid farewell to their swimsuits and stored their rescue equipment, what have some of the longest-serving cast members been doing?

Erika Eleniak

Following her initial screen appearance as the girl who shares a kiss with Elliot (Henry Thomas) in class in “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” Erika Eleniak mostly flew under the radar, despite a busy schedule, until she gained prominence as one of the original cast members on “Baywatch.” During the first three seasons, Eleniak portrayed lifeguard Shauni McClain, who was initially intended to be the show’s primary female character. When Eleniak departed, it paved the way for Pamela Anderson to step into the spotlight as the new star of “Baywatch.

In 2018, Eleniak explained that she chose to step away from “Baywatch” to devote herself fully to her film career and because the show had evolved into a level of sexual content that made her uneasy. Her initial major movie role came in 1992 with “Under Siege,” which was followed by portraying Ellie May Clampett in “The Beverly Hillbillies” the next year. Over the subsequent 30 years, Eleniak maintained a steady presence on both big and small screens, even venturing into reality shows such as “The Real Gilligan’s Island” and “Celebrity Fit Club,” well into the 2020s.

2024 saw Eleniak as part of the “Baywatch” ensemble gracing the red carpet for the debut of the documentary titled “After Baywatch: A Golden Moment,” which delved into the cast members’ personal journeys, both on and off the show.

Brooke Burns

Brooke Burns, who later became known for her work as a model, actor, and game show host, joined the cast of “Baywatch” in a significant role during Season 9. She portrayed the character Jessica “Jessie” Owens, a lifeguard, and remained with the series through Seasons 10 and 11. During this time, the show was renamed “Baywatch: Hawaii,” an attempt to boost its dwindling ratings; however, this change didn’t prove effective, as Season 11 marked the end of the popular series.

After Baywatch, Burns gained significant roles across several TV series, with a notable presence on the prime-time soap opera North Shore and the dramedy Pepper Dennis led by Rebecca Romijn. Additionally, she portrayed detective Maggie Price in the Hallmark movie Gourmet Detective and its subsequent sequels from 2015 to 2020. However, her career post-Baywatch is more commonly known for her various hosting gigs; she has hosted or co-hosted shows such as The Chase, Dog Eat Dog, Hole in the Wall, Master Minds, You Deserve It, and Tic-Tac-Dough.

Starting from 2013, Burns has primarily attended public events alongside her husband, Gavin O’Connor – a well-recognized director who is famous for movies such as “Miracle,” “Warrior,” and “The Accountant”. Notably, she often accompanies him on the red carpet of his movie premieres, like in April 2025 when they attended the premiere of “The Accountant 2” together.

Kelly Packard

On most TV shows, it’s common to see an actor play various minor roles instead of one main character. However, Kelly Packard stands out in the series “Baywatch” because she played not one, but two smaller characters – Joanie in Season 2 and Beth Campfield in Season 6. Later, she became a regular cast member for Seasons 8 and 9 as April Giminski. Additionally, she appeared in two other episodes without a named character, just playing beachgoers.

During her time on “Baywatch,” Packard was quite busy, but that wasn’t her only significant TV role during that period. Additionally, she played the main character Tiffani Anne Smith on the teen sitcom “California Dreams” for nearly its entire five-season run. After the 90s ended, Packard’s acting career significantly decreased, with just a few minor film and television roles, hosting TBS’s “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” and an appearance on “Celebrity Wife Swap.” Interestingly, when it comes to her favorite shows from that era, Packard has been more involved in reunions for “California Dreams” than for “Baywatch.” This includes a 2023 fan event where she and some of her “California Dreams” co-stars even performed a mini-concert, playing songs from the show.

Jeremy Jackson

Despite being played by a different actor during Season 1, Hobie Buchannon was portrayed by Jeremy Jackson for the rest of the character’s nine seasons on the show. However, he only appeared in four episodes during Seasons 9 and 10. With 159 episodes under his belt, Jackson holds the second-highest number of appearances among all actors on “Baywatch”. When his run on “Baywatch” began at age 11, he was already a youngster, and by the time he starred in the 2003 TV movie “Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding”, he had grown to be 22 years old. In essence, he spent most of his growing-up years on the beaches of the franchise.

Since the conclusion of “Baywatch”, Jackson has taken on several minor acting roles. Instead, he’s been quite visible on talk shows and reality TV programs for the past few years, with appearances such as “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” in 2011 and “Celebrity Big Brother” UK in 2015. Just like his fictional father, Jackson dabbled in a music career during the ’90s. He not only contributed a song to the 1994 “Baywatch” soundtrack but also released two solo albums of his own.

In the final stages of his time on “Baywatch,” and for several years after, Jackson struggled with addiction and various personal problems. However, by 2024, he had completed his recovery and was open about it in numerous interviews. Now, he works as a fitness coach and serves as an inspiration to others dealing with addiction recovery.

Alexandra Paul

As a die-hard Baywatch fan, I’d like to share an interesting tidbit about Alexandra Paul – she wasn’t new to the limelight when she stepped into the role of Stephanie Holden. In fact, before gracing our screens as a lifeguard between Seasons 3 and 7, she had already made her mark in Hollywood with significant roles in films like “Christine,” “Dragnet,” and “8 Million Ways to Die.” Her career took off years prior, even landing her the role of Amy Hastings in three Perry Mason TV movies in 1989.

It appears that the primary reason many actors left “Baywatch” involved personal conflicts or a desire to pursue film careers more aggressively. However, Paul’s departure from the show stands out as unusual since he had already worked in films, yet continued to enjoy working on the show and didn’t seem to have significant problems. Instead, it seems that Paul felt his time on the show was complete, and it was simply the right moment for him to move forward to new opportunities.

Throughout the ’90s, 2000s, and beyond, Paul has consistently excelled as a versatile actor. However, in more recent years, she has garnered significant recognition for her activism efforts. She’s been detained multiple times during protests against facilities accused of mistreating animals, such as slaughterhouses. Her advocacy for animal rights has earned her several accolades.

Gregory Alan Williams

Gregory Alan Williams has been a top-notch character actor for almost four decades, and his latest role was that of Martin Imari on the unconventional, genre-defying series “The Righteous Gemstones” on HBO. He’s often cast as law enforcement officers or doctors, roles he played for the first five seasons of “Baywatch,” and in Season 1 of “Baywatch Nights,” where his character was Garner Ellerbee. In a clever twist during “Baywatch” Season 4’s episode “Rescue Bay,” Williams portrayed another character named Sly Hutchinson, adding an enjoyable layer of double casting to the show.

Williams boasts an impressive resume with more than 170 acting roles under his belt, spanning hit movies as well as principal or recurring parts in series like “The West Wing,” “The Sopranos,” “Greenleaf,” “Drop Dead Diva,” “The Resident,” and “Chicago Med.” In the 2010s, he ventured into short films, and by the 2020s, he had expanded his talents to directing, scriptwriting, and producing for both television programs and full-length films. His 2023 film “Reunion” garnered him numerous accolades for his work behind the camera.

Michael Bergin

In the hit series “Baywatch,” J.D. Darius (played by Michael Bergin) is among a select group of characters who were given a moving backstory. Initially, his character struggled with a loss of self-assurance due to a previous unsuccessful rescue mission. However, as the show progressed, especially during its later seasons, J.D. emerged as one of the most memorable male characters, largely due to the captivating charm that Bergin infused into his portrayal.

After “Baywatch,” David Bergin primarily made guest appearances on various TV shows, except for a 12-episode role as Nick Bozman in the NBC soap opera “Passions.” His latest acting work can be seen in the 2021 TV movie titled “The Wrong Valentine.” Since then, he has moved away from the entertainment industry and now identifies himself as a prominent real estate agent in Los Angeles. His Instagram account showcases glimpses of his past in “Baywatch” and modeling, but it primarily focuses on his successful career in real estate.

Gena Lee Nolin

Gena Lee Nolin’s tenure on Baywatch fell neither at the start nor the end, but rather from Seasons 6 to 8. Her character, Neely Capshaw, deviated from many other lifeguards with a more rebellious persona. Over time, she got married to Mitch and eventually divorced him.

During the time when Nolin portrayed Neely, there was a significant event, however, it didn’t cover the entire development of Neely’s storyline on the show. Initially introduced by Heather Campbell in a Season 5 episode, Neely was subsequently played by Jennifer Campbell on a recurring basis during Season 9 after Nolin departed from the series.

Apart from her role as Neely on Baywatch, Pamela Anderson was known for other endeavors. For instance, she modeled on the game show “The Price is Right.” Additionally, she starred in a brief-lived 2000 adventure series called “Sheena.” In 2013, she penned a book titled “Beautiful Inside and Out: Achieving a Healthy, Happy, ‘Thyroid Sexy’ Life” to share her journey with thyroid disease. Today, Anderson remains dedicated to health advocacy, using platforms like social media, interviews, podcasts, and her Thyroid Sexy initiative.

Michael Newman

Surprisingly, one of the cast members in “Baywatch” was a genuine lifeguard – none other than Michael Newman, whose on-screen persona bore his own name. Given his background, Newman also functioned as an unofficial lifeguard consultant on set and was the only actor capable of executing intricate underwater stunts. He cleverly utilized these skills to secure more screen time and dialogue, eventually climbing the ranks from an uncredited recurring character to a main cast member.

In the 1999 action movie “Enemy Action,” Newman had a minor role that marked his significant acting departure outside of “Baywatch.” After this, he chose to leave the industry. In 2006, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and became involved in the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s mission to find a cure for the condition. One of his last public events was attending the premiere of the “After Baywatch” documentary in August 2024. Tragically, just two months later, in October, Newman passed away due to complications from Parkinson’s disease, joining other lesser-known “Baywatch” actors who have sadly departed.

David Chokachi

David Chokachi wasn’t initially part of the “Baywatch” series until Season 6, yet he became a significant character as Cody Madison that it often slips our minds. After his departure before Season 10, he later confessed that he used to think “Baywatch” was mediocre before trying out for it. However, since then, he’s only had good things to say about the show, his fellow cast members, and its impact on his personal life and career. In a 2024 interview, he also mentioned having been close friends with Pamela Anderson on the set of “Baywatch,” expressing regret over their friendship fading away.

Following his departure from “Baywatch,” Chokachi took on the role of Jake McCarthy in both the TNT film “Witchblade” and its subsequent series. He also starred in all three seasons of the 2006 drama series “Beyond the Break,” which was broadcast on the now-defunct Noggin cable channel. Since then, Chokachi has consistently worked in both film and television. Additionally, he is involved with Wings of Rescue, a pet rescue organization, and serves as an ambassador for the Surfrider Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving oceans and beaches.

Pamela Anderson

As a die-hard fan, I’d say it’s no secret that David Hasselhoff was the initial star of “Baywatch.” However, everything shifted when Pamela Anderson appeared in Season 3 as C.J. Parker. By this point, she was already a well-known figure, thanks to gracing the cover of Playboy magazine – a feat that once made one a household name. Her fame reached new heights when she became the original Tool Time girl Lisa on “Home Improvement.”

The popularity of both Pamela and “Baywatch” were skyrocketing at the same time she joined the cast, creating an electrifying cultural synergy that perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the era.

Due to the release of her private sex tape with ex-husband Tommy Lee, Anderson’s career took a significant hit. The scandal, which primarily targeted her, halted any progress she had made. Although she always found acting work, it often involved making fun of herself, her image, and even the sex tape incident specifically. Her name resurfaced in pop culture discussions in the 2020s, partly due to the Hulu miniseries “Pam and Tommy,” which Anderson criticized for reopening old wounds from the original event.

Eventually, Anderson had the final say with her impressive acting comeback in the 2024 film “The Last Showgirl.” Her powerful portrayal was so exceptional that many felt it was an oversight when she failed to receive an Oscar nomination.

David Hasselhoff

It’s undeniable that David Hasselhoff was the most prominent actor on the “Baywatch” series when it debuted, and he fully embraced the show and its spin-offs. Notably, he appeared in the 2017 “Baywatch” film remake, portraying a character called The Mentor. In the 1990s, Hasselhoff as Mitch Buchannon was beamed onto countless television screens worldwide, earning more screen time than many of the era’s top TV stars.

Before gaining fame as Michael Knight in “Knight Rider,” David Hasselhoff was already well-known due to his extended stint on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless” as Snapper Foster. He also had the unique honor of being the first actor to portray Nick Fury in live action, through his performance in the 1998 TV movie “Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, a role that Samuel L. Jackson would not take on until the end of “Iron Man” a decade later. In recent times, Hasselhoff has been more open to poking fun at his persona through self-parodying roles in various films and television shows, a strategy often used by veteran actors to maintain relevance long after their most successful years in the spotlight.

Besides his acting fame, Hasselhoff has built an enduring and prosperous music career, notably in Germany and other regions of Europe that speak German. His discography boasts sales exceeding two million albums globally.

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2025-05-17 19:31