Baywatch Reboot: The original cast then and now | Pamela Anderson, David Hasselhoff, Donna D’Errico and more
Bring out the red swimsuits because Baywatch is back, baby!
It was the biggest TV show in the ’90s and now, 37 years on since the legendary lifeguard drama premiered (and ended in 2001), a new version is in production and it’s backed by the creators of the original series.
Yes, the plotlines were silly, the acting was cheesy, and the cameras often focused squarely on its female stars. In. Slow. Motion.
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But, whatever happened to the original cast?
From botched surgery and bankruptcies to an unauthorised sex tape, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for all of our favourite lifeguards.
Here’s a look at the original Baywatch cast then and now.
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Carmen Electra as Leilani ‘Lani’ McKenzie: Then
A nude spread in Playboy magazine landed Carmen Electra a brief but memorable stint (22 episodes) on Baywatch in the late ’90s, playing Leilani ‘Lani’ McKenzie.
Tragically, Electra’s mum and sister died a few weeks apart in August 1998.
That month, she met NBA star Dennis Rodman and married him three months later in Las Vegas. He filed for an annulment nine days later.
Carmen Electra: Now
Carmen was married to Jane’s Addiction lead guitarist Dave Navarro from 2003 to 2007.
Their relationship was documented in reality TV series, ‘Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave.
Through the ’00s, Electra made guest appearances in over 20 films, including Scary Movie 4 and Date Movie.
She appeared as a guest judge on Britain’s Got Talent and So You Think You Can Dance in the US.
Traci Bingham as Jordan Tate: Then
Another Playboy regular, Bingham was the first Black woman to appear as a regular on Baywatch.
She also had roles on Beverly Hills, 90210, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Married… With Children at the time.
Traci Bingham: Now
Bingham became a veteran of reality TV, starring on The Surreal Life, Celebrity Big Brother UK, Celebrity Paranormal Project and Gimme My Reality Show!.
In recent years, she went on to make appearances on The Jamie Foxx Show, The Proud Family and Reno 911! and is an animal rights activist.
Jeremy Jackson as Hobie Buchannon: Then
Jackson beat Leonardo DiCaprio in a 1990 casting call to play David Hasselhoff’s son Hobie Buchannon on Baywatch.
The young star held the role until his departure in 1999.
The actor admitted during an interview on E! TV special Child Star Confidential that he had a drug problem while shooting the series.
Jeremy Jackson: Now
Jackson recorded an album in the ’90s and had two singles in the top 10, after touring with Hasselhoff.
In the ’00s, Jackson struggled with drug addiction and after being jailed in 2017 for allegedly stabbing a woman in LA, Jackson has seemed to turn his life around.
The star is now focusing on his health, wellness and fitness journey.
Pamela Anderson as CJ Parker: Then
Anderson found fame with a Playboy cover in 1990 and as the “Tool Time Girl” on sitcom Home Improvement.
But it was the Canadian model/actress’ running on the Baywatch beaches that captivated the world.
She portrayed the popular lifeguard CJ Parker for five seasons from 1992 to 1997.
Pamela Anderson: Now
Post-Baywatch, Anderson starred in the action-comedy V.I.P. for four seasons.
In 2003, she then reprised her role as CJ in the TV movie, Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding and also made a cameo in the 2017 Baywatch movie adaptation starring Zac Efron.
She has since become known for her human and animal rights activism, and returned to screens in 2024 for The Last Showgirl, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
In 2025 she starred in cop-comedy remake The Naked Gun alongside Liam Neeson.
With her private life, Anderson’s been through every scandal in the book: a rocky marriage to Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee from 1995 to 1998, resulting in his arrest for spousal abuse; a sex tape leak; multiple reunions and breakups with Lee; and a bitter custody battle over their sons, Brandon and Dylan.
Jaason Simmons as Logan Fowler: Then
This Aussie actor went from humble beginnings in Tasmania to the most-watched TV show in the world.
Simmons came out as gay in New Idea magazine in 2008. He was engaged to an Irish actor, John O’Callaghan, but they have since split.
Jaason Simmons: Now
Simmons nearly died in a car accident in 2011, but after 18 months of rehab he returned to acting in 2013’s breakout hit Sharknado.
He followed it up in 2015 with 3-Headed Shark Attack!!.
He now spends his time back in Tasmania and has appeared in multiple fan conventions in Australia.
Nicole Eggert as Summer Quinn: Then
Nicole Eggert joined Baywatch at just 19, playing Summer on the show from 1992 to 1994.
“I was like, ‘I look like a boy. I look like a man from the top,'” Eggert told Oprah in 2015 of her breast implants, which she denies getting due to pressure from producers.
However, the actress did say a clause in her contract stated she couldn’t lose or gain more than 2.2kg.
Nicole Eggert: Now
In 2015 Eggert went on E! series Botched for a breast reduction after numerous dodgy surgeries.
She reportedly filed for bankruptcy in 2013 and sold her home to pay off her debt, according to TMZ. In October 2014, she made a career change and opened her own LA ice-cream truck, Scoops.
Eggert has also shared her personal journey on social media after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 and is currently the host of her own podcast.
Donna D’Errico as Donna Marco: Then
Donna D’Errico was Playboy‘s Playmate of the Month in September 1995 before she got her Baywatch role.
After playing Donna Marco for two seasons from 1996 to 1998, D’Errico hosted competition series Battlebots (2000 to 2002) and ran a day spa in Calabasas, California.
Donna D’Errico: Now
The 57-year-old has since become a social media sensation.
Most notably in 2012, the mum-of-two filmed a documentary about her fulfilling her lifelong dream climbing Mount Ararat in Turkey to search for frozen remains of Noah’s Ark.
She has had small roles across film and TV has guest-starred on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Michael Newman as Mike ‘Newmie’ Newman: Then
Real-life lifeguard and actor Michael Newman played ‘Newmie’ on Baywatch for most of the show’s 11-season run between 1989 and 2000.
He was the longest-serving lifeguard on the team, but it took him seven seasons to be cast as a series regular.
A few years after Baywatch ended, he was dealt a devastating blow.
Michael Newman (1957-2024)
Newman died in October 2024 after an 18-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Before his death, he left the series in 2000 and never returned to Hollywood. He is survived by his wife Sarah and their two children.
David Hasselhoff as Mitch Buchannon: Then
There would be no Baywatch without “The Hoff”.
David Hasselhoff produced Baywatch right from the beginning up until its final season in 2001 as Baywatch Hawaii.
He was already a huge name thanks to stints on The Young and The Restless and Knight Rider.
David Hasselhoff: Now
Hasselhoff has parodied himself in films like The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie and Sharknado 3 and his 2015 mockumentary series, Hoff The Record.
He’s still making music, with his most recent album released in 2021. He popped up in the 2017 film reboot of Baywatch as the mentor.
Yasmine Bleeth as Caroline Holden: Then
Bleeth joined Baywatch in 1993. She was named one of FHM‘s 100 Sexiest Women in the World every year from 1996 to 2001, thanks to her role as Caroline.
However, the actress’ reported drug abuse sent her career off the rails.
She was fired from Baywatch for “difficulties” pertaining to her drug use, producer Douglas Schwartz told Esquire in 2012.
Yasmine Bleeth: Now
This photo from the set of Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding in 2003 isn’t recent, but it was the last time we saw Bleeth on our screens.
She was arrested for drug possession and went to rehab.
Bleeth has stayed out of the spotlight for nearly two decades now, although she appeared in the horror flick Beautiful Evil.
Alexandra Paul as Stephanie Holden: Then
Alexandra Paul starred in 93 of the 242 episodes before her character Stephanie’s death in Season 7.
That didn’t stop her from returning in the 2003 TV reunion movie – she came back as Allison Ford, Mitch’s new lover who had an uncanny resemblance to his dead ex.
Alexandra Paul: Now
Since wrapping Baywatch Paul has been busy, starring in more than 75 movies and TV shows.
She produced two documentaries on overpopulation and capitalism, and has a veganism podcast called Switch4Good.
David Charvet as Matt Brody: Then
French-raised David Charvet set pulses racing on Baywatch as Matt Brody, before starring on Melrose Place.
But in 1999, he quit acting after signing a five-album contract with Universal Music Group in France.
In the next seven years, Charvet released three pop-rock albums that sold a total of 2.5 million worldwide. He packed out arenas in Europe and Asia. Not bad!
David Charvet: Now
After appearances on reality shows The Superstars and US Dancing With The Stars, and brief returns to film and TV, Charvet started a new career altogether.
He now runs a luxury home-building company in Los Angeles.
Charvet married actress Brooke Burke in 2011. The pair have two children together, but split in 2018.
Gena Lee Nolin as Neely Capshaw: Then
Nolin got her breakout role as a model on The Price is Right in 1994 and scored the part of resident bad girl Neely Capshaw on Baywatch one year later, where she stayed for three seasons.
Although Baywatch landed Nolin on the acting scene, she continued to model for men’s magazines such as Maxim, FHM and Playboy.
Gena Lee Nolin: Now
Nolin was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and now campaigns for regular thyroid checks.
The mother-of-three published a book in 2013 called Beautiful Inside and Out: Conquering Thyroid Disease with a Healthy, Happy, ‘Thyroid Sexy’ Life.
She is married to her third husband, retired hocky player Cale Hulse.
David Chokachi as Cody Madison: Then
David Chokachi got his big break on Baywatch. As an athlete and footballer, he was made for the role.
But he wasn’t just a pretty face – the star has a degree in political science before deciding to become an actor.
David Chokachi: Now
After his Baywatch success, Chokachi joined cable superhero series Witchblade (2000-2002) and surfing drama series Beyond The Break (2006-2009).
He’s rumoured to appear in the Baywatch reboot.
He’s still a keen surfer and lives in LA with his wife Susan and their daughter Brit.
Erika Eleniak as Shauni McClain: Then
Eleniak entered Baywatch as rookie Shauni McClain, who was taken under the wing of experienced lifeguard Jill Riley (played Shawn Weatherly).
Eleniak was the lead female character from 1989 to 1992, when she left because she didn’t like the direction the show was taking in the ’90s.
The actress got her first break in the industry at 19 as a Playboy Playmate.
Erika Eleniak: Now
Eleniak returned to acting, starring as Elly May Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies in 1993 and Chasers in 1994.
In 2006, Eleniak participated in VH1 reality TV series Celebrity Fit Club to shed extra kilos. She also admitted to being hospitalised for an eating disorder she has suffered from her whole life.
She has acted steadily since Baywatch, appearing on shows such Desperate Housewives and CSI: Miami.
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