The iconic 1990s beach drama Baywatch captivated audiences with lifeguards in revealing swimsuits rescuing beachgoers along Southern California’s shores. Featuring Hollywood veteran David Hasselhoff and breakout stars like Pamela Anderson and Yasmine Bleeth, the series launches a reboot with Brooks Nader and Shay Mitchell. While some cast members pursued music and film triumphs, others faced personal challenges or stepped away from fame. Here’s an update on the original ensemble.
David Hasselhoff as Mitch Buchannon
David Hasselhoff portrayed Mitch Buchannon across 10 seasons, appearing in over 200 episodes. A theater graduate from the California Institute of the Arts, he previously starred in The Young and the Restless, Knight Rider, and films like Starcrash. Hasselhoff revived the show with his own investment after its initial cancellation.
He launched a music career with more than 10 studio albums, four platinum and three gold, alongside sold-out world tours. His duet with Regine Velasquez featured in his 1998 film Legacy. Film roles include The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, Dodgeball, Click, Sharknado sequels, and a cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. He earned a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1996, debuted on Broadway in Jekyll & Hyde, judged America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent, and competed on Dancing with the Stars.
Hasselhoff served as Mayor of Funner, California, in 2017 and released his autobiography Making Waves in 2006. Married three times, he wed Hayley Roberts in 2018 after divorcing Pamela Bach, with whom he shares daughters Taylor and Hayley.
Pamela Anderson as C.J. Parker
Pamela Anderson joined Baywatch as C.J. Parker for seasons three through seven. Born in Canada in 1967, she rose to fame via a Labatt Beer ad and Playboy covers, modeling for two decades. Her early acting break came in Home Improvement.
Post-Baywatch, credits include Barb Wire, V.I.P., Stacked, Borat, and The Nanny. She authored Star and Star Struck, starred in her E! reality show Pam: Girl on the Loose, and competed on Big Brother and Dancing with the Stars. Recent triumphs feature The Last Showgirl in 2024, The Naked Gun with Liam Neeson, and upcoming Rosebush Pruning. Married six times, including to Tommy Lee (fathers of sons Brandon and Dylan), she detailed her life in the 2023 documentary Pamela: A Love Story. Anderson reflected to Vogue France, “I watched a little bit of it and I couldn’t watch it… some things are better left in the past.”
Michael Newman as Michael Newman
Real-life lifeguard Michael Newman played a self-named role for 10 seasons, reprising it in Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier and Baywatch Nights. Born in Los Angeles in 1956, his only other film was Enemy Action. Newman retired from acting in 2000, stating, “If you didn’t have to be there, why would you be? There’s not too many actors that have survived the years of working in Hollywood.” He passed away in October 2024 at age 67 from Parkinson’s complications.
Jeremy Jackson as Hobie Buchannon
Jeremy Jackson depicted Hasselhoff’s son Hobie for nine seasons. Starting as a child actor in commercials and Santa Barbara, he appeared in Shout with John Travolta and films like Ring of Darkness. Jackson released albums, opened for Hasselhoff, and entered the World Music Hall of Fame. He marketed Ed Hardy fashion.
Struggles included addiction, a 2015 Celebrity Big Brother ejection, and a 2017 jail sentence for stabbing. Now a personal trainer and sober coach, he admitted in 2024’s After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun to using meth during his final season. Married Loni Willison (2012-2014), who later faced homelessness.
Alexandra Paul as Stephanie Holden
Alexandra Paul starred as Stephanie Holden for seasons three to six. A former model, her pre-Baywatch roles included Christine and Dragnet. Later credits feature Death Train, Lifetime movies, and documentaries Jampacked and The Cost of Cool. Married to Ian Murray since 2000, she runs a wellness coaching brand and runs marathons. In March 2026, authorities arrested her for releasing beagles from a Wisconsin breeding facility. She obtained a restraining order against a stalker in 2021.
David Chokachi as Cody Madison
David Chokachi played Cody Madison for seasons six to nine. A political science graduate, he starred in Witchblade, Soul Surfer, and Atlantic Rim. Married to Susan Brubaker with daughter Brit Madison, he advocates for environmental causes and joins the Baywatch reboot.
Billy Warlock as Eddie Kramer
Billy Warlock appeared as Eddie Kramer for three seasons. Known for soaps like Days of Our Lives (Daytime Emmy winner) and General Hospital, he started in Happy Days and Halloween II. Briefly engaged to co-star Erika Eleniak, he married Marcy Walker and Julie Pinson. Now a ski instructor in Colorado, he reflected, “It seemed if I stayed too long, I’d be known as Billy Baywatch.”
Erika Eleniak as Shauni McClain
Erika Eleniak portrayed Shauni McClain for three seasons, leaving due to the show’s risqué shift. Child roles included E.T.; later films: Under Siege, Chasers. She modeled for Playboy and joined The Real Gilligan’s Island. Married Philip Goglia briefly, then Roch Daigle; mother of one. Eleniak said, “It really was just like a big family… I was not comfortable [with it becoming risqué].”
David Charvet as Matt Brody
French-born David Charvet played Matt Brody for three seasons, then shifted to music with Universal, selling over two million albums. Returned for Prisoners of the Sun. Married Brooke Burke (2011-2020) with two children.
Yasmine Bleeth as Caroline Holden
Yasmine Bleeth starred as Caroline Holden for seasons five to seven. Child actress in Ryan’s Hope, she landed Nash Bridges and launched Yaz Wear swimwear. Arrested for cocaine in 2001, she married Paul Cerrito post-rehab. Recent sightings show her healthy in Los Angeles.
Michael Bergin as J.D. Darius
Model Michael Bergin played J.D. Darius for four seasons, reprising in spin-offs. Calvin Klein ads and runway work preceded roles in Passions and Family Plan. Runs a men’s underwear brand and real estate in Beverly Hills. Married Joy Tilk with two children; dated Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
Nicole Eggert as Summer Quinn
Nicole Eggert depicted Summer Quinn for seasons three and four. Child star in Rich and Famous, she appeared in Who’s the Boss? and Married… with Children. Owned an ice cream truck from 2014; breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, undergoing therapy. Eggert shared, “This journey’s been rough… it gets me through.” Mother of two.
Gregory Alan Williams as Garner Ellerbee
Marine veteran Gregory Alan Williams played Garner Ellerbee for five seasons. Recent roles: The Sopranos, Remember the Titans, Chicago Med. Authored four books.
Donna D’Errico as Donna Marco
Donna D’Errico joined as Donna Marco in 1996-1998 after Playboy’s 1995 Playmate honor. Hosted Battlebots; films include Candyman: Day of the Dead. Divorced Nikki Sixx; parents two children. Active on Instagram and OnlyFans.
Brande Roderick as Leigh Dyer
Brande Roderick played Leigh Dyer in 2000, Playboy Playmate of the Year 2001. Films: Starsky & Hutch; TV: Celebrity Apprentice. Married Glenn Cadrez (2007-2017); two sons.
