Thursday, June 23, 2016

The Cast of Baywatch Then and Now


The Cast of Baywatch Then and Now


Sun, sand and sexy lifeguards made the perfect mix for the 1989 debut of Baywatch. Created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz and Gregory J. Bonann, the series featured a group of steamy lifeguards saving lives while attempting to rescue themselves from their own personal drama. Unfortunately, however, the characters and even the storyline weren’t enough for NBC who debuted the show and canceled it abruptly after one season. By a miracle of second chances, luckily Baywatch was welcomed back in syndication in 1991.

With cast members like David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson, Baywatch and the red swimsuit babes quickly became one of the most popular shows of the 1990s. Lasting 11 seasons and 242 episodes, the show transformed formerly unknown actors into international superstars with syndication nearly worldwide. Dubbed a massive success, fans begged for more of their favorite characters, which led to numerous spin offs and reunion specials.

So, what’s happened to our favorite lifeguards? Do they still rock their bathing suit bods or have they turned in their swim trunks forever? Let’s take a look at 40 of our favorite cast members from Baywatch and see what they’ve been up to since their last big rescue!

#40 – Pamela Bach
Pamela-Bach


Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Pamela Bach followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a model as a teenager before packing up and moving west to sunny Los Angeles in 1985 to try her hand at acting. After appearing on television shows like T.J. Hooker, Bach met and fell in love with David Hasselhoff on the set of Knight Rider. The couple married in 1989 and Bach’s fate was forever changed as she found herself as the newest Baywatch babe in 1991.


Though Bach appeared in over a dozen Baywatch episodes between 1991 and 2000, she never found the same level of stardom as her husband. Leaving the show and struggling to find work, Bach divorced Hasselhoff in 2006 and lost custody of her two daughters. Since then, she’s had minor roles in series like Sirens as well as in made-for-television movies with her most recent appearance on the 2011 season of Celebrity Big Brother. As the second evicted from the Big Brother house, someone should throw the 52-year-old Bach a life preserver to save what’s left of her career!
#39 – Angelica Bridges
Angelica-Bridges


Like so many other actors and actresses who get their start on soap operas, Angelica Bridges is no exception after making her acting debut on Days of Our Lives in 1995. Two years later, everything changed when the 27-year-old hopeful was cast as Lt. Taylor Walsh on Baywatch and appeared in 22 episodes throughout the 1997-1998 season. Afterward, she made appearances in television series like Mortal Kombat: Conquest and Conan the Adventurer before reprising her role as Taylor in the 2003 sequel Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding.


Often making the list as one of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, the now 45-year-old Bridges continues to act today with recent appearances in television series including Veronica Mars and Kitchen Confidential. Last seen on the silver screen as Poison Ivy in the 2015 short film Batgirl Rises, Bridges recently wrapped up filming the British psychological thriller The Perfect Woman and continues to juggle her work as an actress, model and singer in the pop band Strawberry Blonde. How’s that for life after Baywatch?
#38 – Brande Roderick
Brande-Roderick


A real California girl at heart, Brande Roderick grew up in Novato, California with high hopes of becoming a Hollywood star. At 26 years old, Roderick’s dreams came true when she was cast as Leigh Dyer in Baywatch and, coincidentally, was named Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in the April edition. Appearing in 22 episodes on the series, Roderick’s career as a model was also on a roll when she took the title as the Playboy Playmate of the Year in 2001 before reuniting with Angelica Bridges and the rest of the Baywatch cast for Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding. Sound familiar?


Since her days on the sand, Roderick has enjoyed moderate success on the silver screen in films like Starsky and Hutch and The Nanny Diaries but has proven to have both beauty and brains as a talented business woman. Roderick runs the online gaming website FantaZ, has partnered with Adam Levine on Pantofola d’Oro shoes from Italy and is currently venturing into Alkaline88 Water. When she’s not busy with her business endeavors or modeling, she spends the rest of her time with her husband, NFL linebacker Glenn Cadrez, and their only child.
#37 – Brandy Ledford
Brandy-Ledford


From one Brande to another, Colorado native Brandy Lee Ledford shares both a name and a similar career path with Brande Roderick. First starting her career as a dancer, Ledford made the transition into modeling after high school and saw her hard work pay off when she appeared in Penthouse Magazine as the 1992 Pet of the Year. Ledford continued to model while making minor appearances in television and film before being cast as Mimi Chandler in 22 episodes of Fast Track from 1997 to 1998.


Catching the eye of Baywatch directors for her talent and beauty, Ledford was cast as Dawn Masterson for 22 episodes during the 1999-2000 season. After wrapping up Baywatch, Ledford has managed to lay low aside from a significant role in the 2004-2005 television series Andromeda. Now 47 years old and married to actor Martin Cummins, Ledford may be making a comeback to the stage thanks to recent appearances on an episode of NCIS: Los Angeles and Modern Family. At least we hope the former Penthouse Pet and Baywatch babe will make her return sometime soon!
#36 – Marliece Andrada


It should come as no surprise that yet another of Baywatch’s famed cast members joins the list of Playboy playmates with Marliece Andrada. After graduating from college and moving to Los Angeles to become an actress, Andrada worked as a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders where she was named “Most Photogenic Member” of the squad. Building her confidence and her portfolio, Andrada made her acting debut on the HBO series Arliss in 1996 before auditioning for Baywatch and winning the part of Skylar Bergman for 23 episodes during the 1997-1998 season.


Catching the eye of Hugh Hefner while on the show, Andrada was invited to join Playboy as a Playmate and became the fourth and last Baywatch cast member to do so. After wrapping up filming and the photo shoot, the young actress continued to act and is credited as a voice actor in the video game Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko in addition to a minor appearance in the 1999 film Love Stinks. Since then, the 43-year-old has seemingly disappeared from the spotlight leaving us to wonder what the former Miss March 1998 looks like after all these years.
#35 – Nancy Valen
Nancy-Valen


Leaving her native Florida to spend her summers modeling in New York, Nancy Valen graduated from high school and moved to The Big Apple where she landed her first gig a month later on the daytime drama Ryan’s Hope. By the time she was cast as Samantha Thomas on Baywatch in 1996, Valen was already a veteran actress with appearances in films like Porky’s Revenge and Loverboy as well as in television series including Full House, Saved by the Bell and Walker, Texas Ranger.


Ironically, Valen’s 22-episode run on Baywatch in 1996 wasn’t the first time the actress was on the show after appearing in a 1989 episode as Hallie. Wrapping up filming for the second time (so to speak), Valen appeared in over 23 other television series but spends the majority of her time behind the scenes as a producer for shows like Living in TV Land and William Shatner in Concert. Currently married to Nels Van Patten, the son of actor Dick Van Patten, Valen is still as beautiful as ever after 20 years in the bright lights of Hollywood.
#34 – Simmone Mackinnon
Simmone-Mackinnon


Traveling to the Land Down Under for the next Baywatch celebrity on our list brings us to the stunning and talented Simmone Mackinnon. Launching her film career in Australia at just 15 years old, Mackinnon moved to the United States where she made a huge splash after being cast as Allie Reese in the spin-off series Baywatch Hawaii in 1999. Only 26 years old at the time, the young star spent 24 episodes with Hasselhoff and the crew before leaving in 2000 for new opportunities.


With her red Baywatch swimsuit and her beauty making her an icon of sex appeal, Mackinnon didn’t have to wait long before she landed another television role when she was cast as Stevie Hall Ryan on the Australian series McLeod’s Daughters in 2003. The Aussie welcomed her first child on her 37th birthday in 2010 but that hasn’t stopped the now 43-year-old star from returning to television with her most recent appearance in Neighbours as Zoe Alexander. How’s that for balancing motherhood and an acting career?
#33 – Krista Allen
Krista-Allen


One of the busiest actresses on our list, Krista Allen considered becoming a kindergarten teacher after graduating from the University of Texas but decided to take her chances and move to California to pursue her dreams of acting. Appearing on television shows like Weird Science and Married…with Children in her early career, Allen was cast as a regular on Days of Our Lives for three years before she was picked up by Baywatch and cast as Jenna Avid for 26 episodes in 2000.


Often praised for her work ethic and easygoing attitude on the set, Allen has been acting on television ever since with some of her most notable appearances on hit series like Frasier, Two and a Half Men and Castle. Once married to producer Justin Moritt (1996-1999) and Iranian rapper Mams Taylor (2010-2012), the 45-year-old actress met her current boyfriend, actor Nathan Fillion, on the set of Castle where the sparks were undeniably hot between the two former soap opera stars!
#32 – Kelly Slater
Kelly-Slater


An 11-time World Surf League Champion, there is no other Baywatch cast member who has seen more success than the legendary Kelly Slater. Already established as a professional surfboarder for two years, Slater was 20 years old when he was cast as Jimmy Slade on Baywatch for 24 episodes in 1992. Wrapping up the series in 1996, Slater focused on his surfing while making cameo appearances in dozens of films including Surf’s Up, Waveriders and Fighting Fear.


The youngest and the oldest to ever win the World Surf League Champion title, Slater has racked up over $3.5 million in earnings from his 26-year career riding the waves. As the biggest name in the sport, he’s also extremely marketable and has landed plenty of endorsement deals including his own signature series of surfboards. Currently worth an astonishing $20 million, the 44-year-old Slater is still hitting the waves after making one heck of a career in the sand and the surf.
#31 – Traci Bingham
Traci-Bingham


Born in North Cambridge, Massachusetts, Traci Bingham made her acting debut in 1994 with a minor appearance on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which she followed up with small single-episode roles on shows like Married…with Children. Bingham finally caught the break of her career in 1996 when she was cast as Jordan Tate on Baywatch for over 44 episodes before leaving the show in 1998 with the hopes that the series would be enough to skyrocket her to even bigger fame.


Unfortunately, Baywatch wasn’t Bingham’s ticket to becoming an A-list celebrity as the last half of her career has been moderately successful with appearances in films like Malibooty and Bad Bizness in addition to reality television’s Celebrity Big Brother. And, while she showed up for the Roast of David Hasselhoff on Comedy Central in 2008, that’s the last we’ve seen of Bingham on television since she’s joined PETA as an animal rights activist for their “I’d Rather Be Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign. What a long way from her days on the beach!
#30 – Stacy Kamano
Stacy-Kamano


Crowned “Miss Tropical Pre-Teen Hawaii” at only 11 years old and filled with dreams of a future in the entertainment industry, Stacy Kamano is one of the native Hawaiians on our list who joined Baywatch Hawaii from 1999 until 2001. Cast as Kekoa Tanaka for 44 episodes, Kamano wrapped up the show’s final two seasons and later reprised her role in 2003 when she rejoined the cast for the made-for-television special, Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding.


Despite her childhood dreams of making it big as an actress, Kamano has done very little in television and film since wrapping up Baywatch. Appearing in television movies such as Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt, Kamano hosted the television series Extreme Sports and Hotlines but hasn’t been seen since her 2007 appearance on The Bold and the Beautiful. And, while all pictures show that she’s aging gracefully at 41 years old, we can’t help but wonder where she is and what she’s been up to after all these years!
#29 – Jason Momoa
Jason-Momoa


Staying in Hawaii for the next Baywatch cast member on our list also takes us to one of the youngest, 36-year-old Jason Momoa. Working part time at a local surf shop and as a model throughout his teens, Momoa was named Hawaii’s Model of the Year in 1999 shortly before he was cast as Jason Ioane on Baywatch Hawaii. An instant heartthrob, Momoa wrapped up the series after 44 episodes in 2001 and has luckily found ongoing success ever since.


Widely recognized today as an actor, model, director, producer and writer, Momoa was cast in Stargate Atlantis from 2004 until 2009 and joined HBO’s Game of Thrones in 2011. He also played the title character in Conan the Barbarian but made even bigger headlines in 2016 when he appeared in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as Aquaman. With Aquaman set to release in 2018 as part of the “Justice League” series, it’s undeniable that Momoa’s star power is going anywhere but up!
#28 – Monte Markham
Monte-Markham


If you are looking for a true acting veteran, look no further on our list than 80-year-old Florida native Monte Markham. Over the last five decades, Markham has appeared in over 130 productions in film, television and on Broadway with his most popular role as Captain Don Thorpe on Baywatch. Originally cast in the role in 1989, Markham appeared in 44 episodes before retiring his crisp white uniform and captain’s hat in 1992.

Since leaving Baywatch, Markham has made dozens of appearances in films including Life Partners and We Are Still Here as well as in television shows like The Golden Girls, Melrose Place, Grace Under Fire and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Markham is still acting today and has seven projects that are in production with many of his oldest fans still reminiscing his early career when he portrayed Luke and Ken Carpenter in the ABC sitcom, The Second Hundred Years, in 1967. Now that was a long time ago!
#27 – Jason Brooks
Jason-Brooks


After a few minor roles in the early 1990s on Captain America and Doogie Howser, M.D., Jason Brooks finally caught his big break in 1993 when he was cast as Peter Blake on Days of Our Lives. Wrapping up his third season with the soap opera in 1996, Brooks struggled to find consistent work outside of small appearances on shows like The Love Boat and Friends. Fortunately, he landed on his feet in 1999 when he joined Baywatch Hawaii as Sean Monroe for 45 episodes until 2001.


Popping in and out of the spotlight over the last 15 years, Brooks has 71 acting credits to his name including television shows like NCIS, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Ghost Whisperer and Criminal Minds. He’s also been busy on the silver screen and is credited for his 2009 portrayal of Romulan Helmsman in Star Trek as well as in the 2014 film Blood Lake: Attack of the Killer Lampreys. Definitely keeping busy, Brooks even voiced the leading character in the 2014 video game Murdered: Soul Suspect.
#26 – Brooke Burns
Brooke-Burns


Ask anyone who their favorite Baywatch babe was and many might just answer Brooke Burns. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Burns was a ballet dancer before an injury shifted her focus to modeling at the age of 15. Pursuing a career on the runway and the stage, Burns had already starred in a trio of shows by the time she was cast on Baywatch as Jessie Owens in 1998 where she won the hearts of audiences for 46 episodes over a span of three years.


Spending her time off the set teaching inner city children lifeguarding skills as part of Camp Baywatch, Burns wrapped up the series in 2001 and took a hosting gig on the reality competition Dog Eat Dog. She later appeared in North Shore for 22 episodes and has managed to stay relevant with her most recent stints as a host on both The Chase and Motor City Masters. Only 38 years old and looking as gorgeous as ever, Burns has been married twice with a high profile engagement to Hollywood A-lister Bruce Willis in 2004.
#25 – Eddie Cibrian
Eddie-Cibrian


From a janitor on Saved by the Bell: The College Years to a hunky lifeguard, Eddie Cibrian got his big break in 1996 when he played the steamy Griff Walker for 26 episodes on Baywatch Nights. With Baywatch as his ticket to stardom, Cibrian closed out the series in 1997 and joined Sunset Beach, a soap opera where he appeared in 369 of the show’s 800 episodes. From there, he found his place in yet another long-running series as Jimmy Doherty on Third Watch from 1999 to 2005.


No stranger to fame, Cibrian has also landed significant roles in CSI: Miami and was even given his own reality show in 2014 while appearing in films such as The Cave and The Best Man Holiday. Now 42 years old and looking just as hot as his lifeguard days, Cibrian has also done fairly well for himself when it comes to his family life. Once married to model Brandi Glanville, with whom he has two children, he is now married to country and pop artist LeAnn Rimes. How’s that for hitting the spouse jackpot?
#24 – Angie Harmon
Angie-Harmon


Who doesn’t recognize the gorgeous Angie Harmon these days? Discovered by David Hasselhoff himself while traveling on a plane in 1995, the 23-year-old model made her debut on Baywatch Nights shortly after when she was cast as Ryan McBride for 44 episodes until 1997. Though she turned heads with her bright-eyed beauty and killer body, Harmon became a true household name as Abbie Carmichael on Law & Order for 72 episodes while also reprising the role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.


In 2010 and already well-established as a talented actress, Harmon was cast as one of two female leads on the TNT crime drama Rizzoli & Isles. With the series attracting widespread praise and critical success, the 43-year-old Harmon has spent the last six years working on the show and will have her final curtain call as Jane Rizzoli in 2017. Speaking of final calls, Harmon married NFL star Jason Sehorn in 2001 and welcomed three daughters but has recently experienced another closed chapter when she filed for divorce after 14 years of marriage.
#23 – Donna D’Errico
Donna-D-Errico


It wouldn’t be a true Baywatch list without another former Playboy Playmate now would it? Next on our list is Alabama’s very own Donna D’Errico who was named Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in the September 1995 issue. Long before making the centerfold, however, D’Errico ran a limousine company in Las Vegas with dreams of finally making it big. With a little help from Hugh Hefner, D’Errico was front and center as she caught the attention of Baywatch producers who cast her as Donna Marco in 44 episodes spanning 1996 to 1998.


Riding the heels of her Playboy and Baywatch fame, D’Errico married Motley Crue guitarist Nikki Sixx in 1996, which guaranteed her an even bigger place in the spotlight. Though she never achieved quite the level of fame that she imagined, the 48-year-old saw her personal life and her career come crashing down in 2007 due to her highly publicized divorce from Sixx. Left with two children and very little money of her own, D’Errico filed for bankruptcy in 2014 claiming that she was half a million dollars in debt with little support from her ex-husband. Talk about drama!
#22 – Jose Solano
Jose-Solano


California native Jose Solano had only one acting credit to his name from a 1988 Spanish film when he joined the cast of Baywatch as the first Hispanic regular on the show. Making his debut on the series in 1996 as Manny Gutierrez, Solano spent three seasons (47 episodes) on Baywatch during which he was named among the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World by YM Magazine in addition to receiving their Man of the Year Award.


Sadly, life after Baywatch hasn’t been as illustrious for Solano as he had hoped leaving him only minor roles to fill his portfolio aside from a short-lived program called Resurrection Blvd. With his last actual acting credit from 2011 in 4:44 Last Day on Earth in which he played a “Drug Dealer,” the 45-year-old former Baywatch heartthrob has definitely seen brighter days since once earning the title as the Most Promising Actor of 1997. Now those were the days!
#21 – Jason Simmons
Jason-Simmons


Another Aussie makes our Baywatch list with Jason Simmons who was raised in Hobart, Tasmania and landed his first acting role on the Australian series Paradise Beach in 1993. A year later, Simmons had already made his way to the United States where he joined the cast of Baywatch as Logan Fowler for 48 episodes from 1994 to 1997. The handsome Aussie went on to make plenty of appearances on television before transitioning his career to the stage.

Now 45 years old and still staying fairly busy as an actor, Simmons most recently starred as Baz Hogan in the 2013 cult television hit Sharknado. Long before that, however, Simmons made headlines for a different reason in 2008 when he came out as gay in an interview featured in Australia’s New Idea magazine. Pictured with his fiancé, Irish actor John O’Callaghan, Simmons said he was happier than ever before with himself, his personal life and his career. And, with that said, we wish him a lifetime of happiness!

#20 – Billy Warlock
Billy-Warlock


Without a doubt, the coolest name on our list belongs to Billy Warlock whose real name, unfortunately, is rather disappointing – William Leming. Once a big name in the soap opera circuit thanks to his role as Frankie Brady on Days of Our Lives, Warlock joined the cast of Baywatch in 1989 as Eddie Kramer for 46 episodes until 1992. Returning for one episode of Baywatch Nights in 1996, Warlock reprised his role for the 2003 Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding reunion special.


Retiring his Baywatch swim trunks and lifeguard whistle, Warlock bounced back to the soap opera circuit where he appeared in 236 episodes of General Hospital as A.J. Quartermaine. Wrapping up his role in 2005, Warlock hopped over to Days of Our Lives where he finished in 2007 with a total of 590 episodes under his belt. Jumping to The Young and the Restless and As the World Turns, the 55-year-old Warlock was last seen in 2010 on One Life to Live and is now hopefully enjoying some downtime with his wife and former As the World Turns costar, Julie Pinson.
#19 – Kelly Packard
Kelly-Packard


Making her acting debut on television shows like Blossom and The Wonder Years in the early 1990s, California native Kelly Packard joined the ranks of Baywatch’s elite in 1991 when she was first cast as a guest star playing a variety of characters. By 1997, Packard was named a series regular and was given the role of April Giminski, which she played for 49 episodes until 1999 while also starring as Tiffani Smith in the five-season series California Dreams.


Staying under the radar with sporadic appearances in television shows such as Step by Step and Boy Meets World, Packard turned heads again when she became the host of Ripley’s Believe It or Not in 2002. Spending only one season on the show, the 41-year-old is yet another former Baywatch star who has disappeared from television with her last appearance on Celebrity Wife Swap in 2014 when the world got a sneak peak of her husband, Darrin Privett, and their four children. Perhaps her early success on Baywatch was enough for this blonde beauty!
#18 – Gregory J. Barnett
Gregory-J-Barnett


Despite having one of the longest careers on our list, many people don’t recognize Gregory J. Barnett by name or as a celebrity. Over the last 50 years, Barnett has done his fair share of acting with his most notable role as Jim Barnett in the Baywatch series. Although he only appeared in 50 episodes as an actor, Barnett was behind the scenes for over 200 episodes as a stunt coordinator who has worked on over 400 productions throughout his stellar career.


Working on everything from Grease, The Guardian, Designing Women and Castle, Barnett has been the stunt coordinator for memorable blockbusters with some of his biggest credits including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Live Free or Die Hard and Due Date. Certainly never struggling to find work in Hollywood, the former Baywatch star even brought home an Emmy Award in 2004 for his incredible stunt work on the hit series 24. We can’t help but wonder, did he use a stunt double for his acceptance speech?
#17 – Tom McTigue
Tom-McTigue


Spokane, Washington native Tom McTigue planned on a career in theater when he attended Washington State University and later moved to New York City to study acting. Returning to Seattle and taking the stage as a stand-up comedian, McTigue eventually appeared on episodes of Quantum Leap, Jake and the Fatman and Beverly Hills, 90210 in the early 1990s before finding his niche as Harvey Miller on Baywatch for 22 episodes between 1991 and 1992.

Since ending his Baywatch career, McTigue has had dozens of minor roles on television shows such as Roseanne, ER, 7th Heaven and, most recently, American Crime in addition to appearing in hundreds of commercials. Now at 57 years old and still pursuing a career in stand-up comedy, he recently earned widespread critical praise for his performance as Mr. Turlington in the 2014 film Boyhood, which he ironically followed up with the raunchy football comedy, Balls Out.
#16 – Peter Phelps


Debuting as an Australian soap opera star on ‘The Restless Years,” Pete Phelps finally got his big break when he was cast as one of the first lifeguards of “Baywatch.” Landing the role of Trevor Cole, however, wasn’t enough for Phelps, as he left the hit show after its first season, making him the first of the original cast to jump ship.


Phelps had other plans for his career when he returned to his native Australia after an appearance in “Point Break”, which starred Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze; since then, Phelps has kept busy by making special appearances in films like Stingers, which earned him an award for Most Popular Actor, and Lantana, which earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Male Actor. Despite the success of Pete’s career it has become obvious that time hasn’t been easy on this former lifeguard who, at 55 years old, has now traded in his swim trunks for plaid cotton boxers and a comfortable home life with his wife, Donna, and their two children.

#15 – Jeremy Jackson
Jeremy-Jackson


Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of Jeremy Jackson’s life is that he beat out Leonardo Dicaprio for the role of Hobie back when it needed to be recast. During Jackson’s 8 year stint on Baywatch he featured in a total of 159 episodes, but it turns out that during his time on set he developed one heck of a drug habit; his bodacious body turned out to be the product of a severe addiction to steroids, and as soon as he got off set he was shipping himself off to rehab.


Jeremy decided to turn his road to recovery into an opportunity to re-start his career and began appearing in some rather smutty reality shows like “Celeb Rehab with Dr. Drew” and “Confessions of a Teen Idol,” but neither of the shows generated the attention he desperately wanted. It wasn’t until a s** tape was released featuring Jackson and the p*** star Sky Lopez, and his appearance on the 2015 UK version of “Celebrity Big Brother,” that he finally bounced back into the spotlight (although that probably isn’t a strategy fit for everyone).
#14 – Carmen Electra


Born Tara Leigh Patrick, Carmen Electra changed more than just her name while her career skyrocketed as a model, actor, singer, and dancer. Starting out as a dancer at an Ohio amusement park, Electra got fed up and packed her bags: moving to California where she met the music legend Prince, who inspired her to start her short-lived music career.


Carmen quickly found herself in small acting roles, as well as on the cover of Playboy: finally earning her the fame that she desired. By 1997 Electra had landed her first major break out role when she was cast as Lani McKenziie on “Baywatch.”


Like Phelps, Electra’s lifeguard days as Lani only lasted a year, but time has definitely been kinder to this stunning actress more than it has to her former colleague. Today, at 43 years old, Electra is probably the only original “Baywatch” babe who could easily make an appearance on a new spinoff series, but you’ll have to catch her first: after all, these days she keeps pretty busy as a guest judge on “Britain’s Got Talent.”

#13 – Gregory Alan Williams
Gregory-Alan-Williams


Gregory Allen Williams is one of the biggest success stories out of the entire “Baywatch” cast as the very talented actor went on to have major roles in hit T.V. shows like “The Sopranos,” “West Wing,” “Boston legal,” and “One Tree Hill,” as well as a number of major film appearances. If keeping his acting career alive wasn’t enough, Williams published four books that attained moderate success, and it seems he also kept his dashing good looks to boot. After 94 episodes of “Baywatch” you might think that the hot sun would ruin his skin, but Gregory looks surprisingly youthful even at the age of 59.


Williams was one of the few cast members that returned to the “Baywatch” reunions and was greeted positively by everyone: that’s how much of an upstanding guy he is. Allen is living a more relaxed lifestyle nowadays away from all the media and paparazzi, but he still makes time for the occasional film appearance: he has stated that he enjoys acting and intends to keep in the business as long as his health permits.
#12 – Parker Stevenson


Despite his mother being an aspiring actress, Parker Stevenson’s acting career actually happened by complete accident (much to the disapproval of his father). Starting out with “A Separate Peace” in 1972, Stevenson quickly landed his next role in “Lifeguard” before becoming a household name alongside teen heartthrob Shaun Cassidy in the “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries” series during the later years of the 1970s.


By 1989 Stevenson would become a heartthrob in his own right after being cast as Craig Pomeroy on “Baywatch.” After adding a year of “Baywatch” to his repertoire, Stevenson looked for greener pastures and only made sporadic appearances on the show in 1997 and 1998. After ending his 14 year marriage in 1997 to “Cheers” star, Kirstie Alley, Stevenson slowed down his acting career to pursue his first true passion: photography; now 63 years old with two children, the distinguished looking Parker enjoys time on both sides of the camera, with his latest appearance being in the 2015 film “His Secret Family.”

#11 – Michael Bergin
Michael-Bergin


Michael Bergin is not only known for being incredibly handsome, he is also known for being so handsome that he became one of the first male supermodels of all time. If you’re struggling to think of where you might have seen Bergin before aside from “Baywatch” then look no farther than the racy series of underwear ads released by Calvin Klein; after the prestigious underwear position was passed down by none other than Mark Wahlberg it wasn’t long before the job was snatched up by a job hungry Bergin.


So what does an underwear model do with his life once he is seen as a sex icon? He shacks up with a Kennedy, of course, specifically Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy; she happened to be a Calvin Klein publicist at the time of their meeting, and the two were knocking boots while she was still being courted by John F. Kennedy Jr. (her future husband). Michael’s final career moves were to publish a book titled “The Other Man” that detailed his affair with Carolyn during her marriage, and taking on an active role as the spokesman for the D.A.R.E. anti drug campaign for children (if only Jeremy Jackson had met him later on in life).
#10 – Nicole Eggert


Launching her movie career at just five years old, Nicole Eggert happily landed her first major movie role three years later in the 1980 film “Rich and Famous.” With roles on “Who’s the Boss?” and “Charles in Charge,” Eggert rapidly made a name for herself, which made her an easy casting choice for “Baywatch.” Nicole was cast for the third and fourth seasons of “Baywatch” as Roberta “Summer” Quinn, and between her career and recent engagement to Corey Haim she was sitting on cloud nine.


Life after “Baywatch” proved to be rather nice for Eggert as she enjoyed a stream of ongoing work in spinoffs, films, and special appearances which include “Married…with Children,” “The Real Gilligan’s Island,” and “Splash;”

the 43 year old former “Baywatch” babe has even acknowledged her ongoing struggle to maintain a healthy weight, and appeared on “Celebrity Fit Club” in 2010 looking noticeably different; fitness might be the last thing on her mind these days, however, as the celeb just launched her new career as the owner and operator of an ice cream truck: look for her in a neighborhood near you!

#9 – David Chokachi
David-Chokachi


“Baywatch” was David Chokachi’s first major role, and yet when he first joined the show in 1995 as the character “Cody Madison” nobody thought he would become anything special; he proved them all wrong when he eventually became the lead character of the show. After four years of saving lives on fictitious beaches, he left the show to pursue a new T.V. series named “Witchblade” which quickly fizzled out and forced him to accept less than flattering roles in made for T.V. movies.


Back in 1997 Chokachi was considered to be one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” by People Magazine, and we’d be lying if we said that at 47 years old he still doesn’t have it going on; his career may have slowed down some with only the occasional film role, but this “Baywatch” star probably has no problem with the ladies. So what’s the secret, how exactly does David Chokachi stay in such great shape? It turns out that a lifestyle filled with water sports and exercise has a tendency to chisel a man like Adonis, and he has no problem with sharing all of his adventures on his social media accounts: #Kingoftheocean.
#8 – Erika Eleniak


Erika Eleniak took the fate of her career into her own hands when, at just 19 years old, she got in touch with Playboy directly and landed an appearance in the July 1989 issue; thanks to her guts and ambition, 1989 proved to be an outstanding year for the blonde beauty, as she was cast in a recurring role on “Charles in Charge” and landed the female lead as rookie lifeguard Shauni McClain on “Baywatch.”


After spending 44 episodes as a lifeguard, Eleniak decided to call it quits because she didn’t like where the series was headed. Much like her co-star Nicole Eggert, Eleniak struggled to maintain her “Baywatch” physique and later appeared on “Celebrity Fit Club” 30 pounds heavier than she had ever been; at 46 years old and after having her first child, life as a mom is keeping the former star busier than ever: making her days on the beach merely a dream!

#7 – David Charvet
David-Charvet


“Baywatch” just wouldn’t have been the same show without the appearances of David Charvet as “Matt Brody;” when the French star first got the role he didn’t think the show would be as successful as it eventually became, but he was happy to sign on for three seasons as long as he was getting paid. Once David left the “Baywatch” set he appeared on several other hit T.V. shows like “Melrose Place,” and “Harts of the West.” It seemed like Charvet finally had secured his way into show business until he surprised everyone by leaving the industry entirely.


It seems acting just wasn’t enough for David, and he was convinced that the career he was made for was somewhere in the world of music; he landed a 5-album contract with Universal Music Group, and it turns out his dreams weren’t such a fantasy after all: his music consistently was landing in the Top 20 lists of France, and it wasn’t long before he began singing romantic duets with musical legends like Seal. If a guy can sell 2.5 million albums, sell out entire arenas, and charm the ladies on the hot sands – well it’d be a lie to say we aren’t at least a little bit jealous.
#6 – Michael Newman


Michael Newman was an actual lifeguard since the age of 10, so when he first showed up on the set of “Baywatch” it was as a consultant; he shared his real life rescue experience with the cast and crew to give the show its realistic edge. Newman (who was also a firefighter) enjoyed his job but fate, however, had different plans for his career, as he was cast in a recurring role, and later as a main cast member for nine seasons. As both an international star and a show favorite, Michael stuck around for “Baywatch Hawaii:” making him one of the longest lasting actors of the whole series.


The end of “Baywatch” wasn’t enough to cause Newman to hang up his red speedo, however, by 1996 he had set his sights on winning the National Ironman Championship, and it turns out he would do just that; at 60 years old the star settled down in California with his wife and two children where he sells real estate and puts up an ongoing battle Parkinson’s disease: a diagnosis that was given to him in 2011 after he noticed a small tremor in his hand. After watching Michael on screen for all these years we know that this former Ironman and lifeguard will put up one heck of a courageous fight!

#5 – Gena Lee Nolin
Gena-Lee-Nolin


Gena Lee Nolin’s character, Neely Capshaw, was one of the most beautiful lifeguards on “Baywatch,” and like her co-star, Pamela Anderson, many viewers tuned in solely for her; she was scouted for the show after the producers saw her on “The Price is Right,” where she was one of Barker’s Beauties (the lovely ladies who show off the prizes that contestants can win). Gena had planned to be a part of “Baywatch” until the show came to a close, but when it became apparent that she had an opportunity to create her own T.V. show, “Sheena,” she jumped ship and decided to chase her dreams.


Unlike David Charvet who turned his dreams into a career, Gena’s plans were a little less successful: “Sheena” died out after only two seasons, and she had to begin hunting for a pay check once more. After turning down their offer several times, Nolin finally agreed to a photo shoot for Playboy Magazine, and from then on continued to star in various men’s publications. Gena Nolin wound up becoming the author of a memoir, but the sad truth is that when you look like she does, men generally prefer the picture book counterpart.
#4 – Alexandra Paul


Hailing from New York City, Alexandra Paul started acting as early as 1982 at only 19 years old; she was cast on the made-for-television film “Paper Dolls” and again in “Christine,” “American Flyers,” and “Dragnet.”


With both obvious onscreen talent and stunning good looks, it wasn’t long before Paul was cast as Lt. Stephanie Holden on “Baywatch” for seasons three through seven: her run came to an end when her character was tragically struck by lightning and killed. Despite the sudden death of her character, “Baywatch” wasn’t over for Paul just yet as she was invited back to play the post-life version of Stephanie, and later again as twin of her character in “Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding.” Since her final “Baywatch” appearance, the 52 year old Paul has stayed active in the film industry by appearing in more than five dozen movies and television shows; if you can’t manage to catch her on screen, though, just check the local political rallies: this gal is a committed political activist which has earned her multiple arrests for civil disobedience (what a rebel)!

#3 – David Hasselhoff


Whether you hate him or love him it’s undeniable that David “The Hoff” Hasselhoff is the biggest star to emerge from the “Baywatch” series. After his first television break on “The Young and the Restless,” the young ‘Hoff’ landed the lead role on the popular show “Knight Rider,” and later cemented his stardom when he was cast as Mitch Buchannon on “Baywatch.”

After becoming a fan favorite of all nine seasons, the decision was easy one to make for David when he was asked to reprise his role for “Baywatch Nights” and “Baywatch Hawaii.”


Unfortunately “Baywatch” couldn’t go on forever, which lead Hasselhoff to take on notable roles in numerous other films and television shows, as well as make his debut on Broadway; of course the 63 year old looks a little tweaked and lifted thanks to various plastic surgeries but we can’t really blame him since he’s a multi-setter of Guinness World Records for being the most watched man on television: how’s that for talent, America?

#2 – Yasmine Bleeth


As the daughter of a model it’s no surprise that Yasmine Bleeth was cast to play a sexy lifeguard on a show like “Baywatch,” After all she inherited her parents’ good looks! With her first major film role being landed at just 12 years old in “Hey Babe” starring Buddy Hackett, the young Bleeth quickly blossomed into a natural beauty.


By 1995, the svelte and sexy brunette had found herself on multiple lists as one of the sexiest women in the world: making her a household name and a perfect fit for “Baywatch.” First appearing part-time in the fourth season of “Baywatch,” Bleeth was cast as Caroline Holden and then quickly earned her place as a main cast member for the following three seasons.


Whether it was the red swimsuit or her rocking bod, the world couldn’t help but take notice of Bleeth, which led to her post-Baywatch days being filled with appearances on shows like “Nash Bridges,” “Titans,” and the sports comedy, “BASEketball.” Despite her fame (or perhaps because of it), Bleeth (now in her late 40s) took a break from the limelight only to reappear in 2015 obviously struggling with drugs and her weight.

#1 – Pamela Anderson


In the welcome party of a lifetime, Pamela Anderson has been famous ever since the day she was born, when she was coined the “Centennial Baby” having been the first baby born after Canada’s 100th anniversary celebration; just 22 years later, while at a football game in Vancouver, the bubbly Canadian was discovered after being featured on the Jumbotron wearing a beer t-shirt. Anderson was hired on the spot as the beer’s spokes model, and her career soon skyrocketed: earning her a feature on Playboy and numerous other covers for nearly two decades.


With growing success and fame, Pamela headed over to Los Angeles where she would be cast in the most iconic role of her career as CJ Parker in “Baywatch.” After starring in five seasons and the reunion film “Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding,” Anderson has made numerous film and television appearances including reality shows like “Big Brother” and “Dancing with the Stars.” Now 48 years old, and still as gorgeous as ever, Pamela Anderson has kept her name alive as an activist for animal rights, AIDS awareness, and even as an advocate for the legalization of marijuana!