We all remember tuning in on a weekly basis to watch the action and drama unfold on the popular ’90s series Baywatch. While the storylines drew us in, we were truly hooked on the big-time actors and actresses such as David Hasselhoff, Carmen Electra, and Pamela Anderson.
For many of our favorite former Baywatch lifeguards, their personal problems and sobriety struggles were highly publicized on daytime talk shows and reality television shows like Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew and Confessions of a Teen Idol.
You definitely won’t want to miss out on knowing what the 20 greatest Baywatch lifeguards are doing today!
Donna D’errico – Then
Before becoming famous as Donna Marco on Baywatch, Donna D’Errico had a Las Vegas-based limousine company. In 1995, she got her first taste of fame when she was featured as a centerfold in the September issue of Playboy.
This would eventually lead to her breakout role on Baywatch. Before Baywatch, D’Ericco appeared in episodes of Unhappily Ever After, Married… with Children, and High Tide. D’Ericco stayed on Baywatch for two seasons in addition to 34 episodes of the spin-off series Baywatch Nights.
Donna D’errico – Now
After Baywatch, D’Errico did some work as a correspondent and host of Battlebots in the early 2000s. She also starred in the 1999 horror film Candyman: Day of the Dead and appeared in numerous independent films including Intervention, Inconceivable, and The Making of Plus One.
D’Errico also owned her own Zen Spa in Calabasas, California for a while. Recently, D’Errico spoke openly about her renewed Catholic faith and participated in an expedition to Mount Ararat in search of frozen remains of Noah’s ark.
Gena Lee Nolin – Then
Before patrolling the beaches of Los Angeles County, Gena Lee Nolin started as one of the famous Barker’s Beauties on the game show The Price in Right back in 1994.
Shortly following, Nolin acted in the soap opera The Young and the Restless as a model named Sandy. In 1995, Nolin took the part on Neely Capshaw on Baywatch. Nolin was a cast member from the sixth season through the eighth seasons and was featured in a total of 64 episodes.
Gena Lee Nolin – Now
In 1998, Gena Lee Nolin left Baywatch but quickly returned to acting in 2000 with her own TV show called Sheena. The show only lasted until 2002. In 2001, Nolin posed for the Christmas edition of Playboy, adding to her list of features in men’s magazines, including Maxim, Stuff, and FHM.
On top of her frequent television appearances, Nolin is also the author of a book titled Beautiful Inside and Out, Conquering Thyroid Disease with a Healthy, Happy, “Thyroid Sexy” Life.
Kelly Packard – Then
Actress and television personality Kelly Packard is well-known for her role on Baywatch. But in addition to saving lives, Packard was a talented bass player as Tiffani on NBC’s sitcom California Dreams.
She also had a small appearance in the 1991 film And You Thought Your Parents Were Weird, in addition to appearances in episodes of Living Dolls, The Wonder Years, and Blossom. From 1991 until 1999, Packard portrayed numerous different characters on Baywatch, her most notable being April Giminski.
Kelly Packard – Now
Throughout her acting career, Kelly Packard has been featured in two direct to video films, including the 1998 Baywatch spinoff Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay.
Packard was also famous as a co-host on Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, where she brought bizarre events, people, and stories to America’s living rooms on a weekly basis from 2002 until 2003. She was also featured in episodes of Boy Meets World, The Wild Thornberrys, and the television movie Stalked By My Neighbor.
Jason Momoa – Then
Before hitting it big as the headstrong Hawaii native Jason Ioane, Jason Momoa was just a 19-year-old working part-time at a surf shop in Hawaii. Momoa began his career as a model in 1998 after he was discovered by designer Takeo Kobayashi.
Within one year, the talented Hawaiian model had already won Hawaii’s Model of the Year and was chosen to host the Miss Teen Hawaii contest. He was cast as Jason Ioane on Baywatch: Hawaii in 1999.
Jason Momoa – Now
Throughout the 2000s, Jason Momoa had several appearances on TV shows and movies including North Shore, Johnson Family Vacation, and Stargate: Atlantis. In 2011, Momoa was cast as the powerful warlord Khal Drogo on the hit HBO series Game of Thrones.
During his audition, Momoa reportedly performed the Haka, a traditional Maori war dance. In 2014, Momoa broadened his horizons by directing, writing, and producing his first film, Road to Paloma. He is set to play Aquaman in the 2018 production.
Alexandra Paul – Then
Alexandra Paul began her career as a model in New York. Her acting career started with minor roles in the 1982 television film Paper Dolls, followed by a part in the 1983 Canadian horror film American Nightmare.
She got her first big lead role in 1983 in the horror film Christine. Paul also had significant parts in films American Flyers, 8 Million Ways to Die, and Dragnet before landing the most memorable role of her career as Lt. Stephanie Holden on Baywatch.
Alexandra Paul – Now
During Baywatch‘s five year stint on air, Alexandra Paul also starred in films including 1993’s Death Train, 1995’s Nightwatch, 1994’s The Paperboy, and 1996’s Spectre.
Paul has been featured in 14 Lifetime Network films since 1999 and has appeared in episodes of Melrose Place, and Mad Men. Never taking herself too seriously, Paul also made a cameo appearance during a deleted scene in Borat, imitating her Baywatch character, in addition to her appearances in comedy spoof films Spy Hard and Sharknado: The 4th Awakening.
Nicole Eggert – Then
At just 8 years old, Nicole Eggert landed her first acting role in the film Rich and Famous in addition to doing the voice of Dennis’s rival Margaret in the animated Dennis the Menace in Mayday for Mother.
From 1985 until 1986, Eggert portrayed Marci Ferguson on Who’s the Boss?, and then starred in Charles in Charge from 1987 until 1989. She then appeared on The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, starred in 1992’s Secrets, and landed a role on Baywatch.
Nicole Eggert – Now
Eggert appeared on Baywatch for the third and fourth seasons, from 1992 until 1994 and returned for the 2003 spin-off Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding. She’s appeared on episodes of Married… With Children, and Scott Baio Is 45…and Single.
Eggert has also taken part in some reality TV in recent years, participation in the 2010 season of Celebrity Fit Club. She has also appeared on the Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff. Most recently, Eggert opened up her own ice cream truck business.
Jeremy Jackson – Then
Singer and actor Jeremy Jackson met David Hasselhoff on the set of Baywatch, where he played Hobie Buchanon, Hasselhoff’s son and love interest of Summer Quinn. He was on the show from season two until season nine.
While filming together, Hasselhoff introduced Jeremy Jackson to music and would later take Jackson with him on his 1993 European tour. Jackson signed to Edel records, where he came out with two albums and six singles in the mid-1990s. Jackson admitted that he left Baywatch because of substance abuse issues.
Jeremy Jackson – Now
Throughout the 2000’s, Jeremy Jackson was featured on numerous reality shows and day-time talk shows, many of which centered around the actor’s off-screen issues, and substance abuse problems.
In 2011, Jackson was a cast member on the fifth season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, where he publicly recovered from substance addiction. He was also interviewed on the E! TV special Child Star Confidential. Unfortunately, Jackson was sentenced to 270 days in jail in 2017 as the result of a violent incident from 2015.
Traci Bingham – Then
Before becoming Jordan Tate, Traci Bingham started her career with a number of small acting roles, with appearances in popular shows including D.R.E.A.M., Beverly Hills, 90210, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Married…with Children, as well as a part in the film Demon Night.
Bingham was also featured in the 1991 music video for “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Bingham joined the Baywatch cast in 1996 and stayed on the show for the seventh and eighth seasons.
Traci Bingham – Now
Throughout the early 2000s, Traci Bingham participated in reality shows including VH1’s The Surreal Life, where she was cast alongside other celebrities who had fallen out of the spotlight, as well as Celebrity Big Brother, which was filmed in England.
Bingham worked as a spokesmodel for Empire Poker in 2005 and showed up to roast her former co-star at the Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff. Most recently, Bingham was a guest on Hell’s Kitchen and contestant on Battle of the Network Stars.
David Chokachi – Then
David Chokachi was completely unknown before Baywatch. After attending the elite prep-school Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts, and graduating with a degree in political science from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, Chokachi set out to pursue a career in acting in the mid-1990s.
He came onto the scene initially as Cody Madison, the aspiring Olympic swimmer sidelined by an irregular heartbeat and male heartthrob of Baywatch from seasons six through nine, and eventually replaced David Charvet as a main cast member.
David Chokachi – Now
Almost immediately after leaving Baywatch in 1999, David Chokachi picked up the role of Jake McCartey on the TV series Witchblade, which only ran until 2002. In 1997, Chokachi made People magazine’s list of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World.”
Chokachi has appeared in numerous made-for-TV movies throughout his career including recent films Cyber Chase, Patient Killer, and Rage of the Yeti. Chokakachi has also taken part in the 2009 reality TV show Confessions of a Teen Idol alongside fellow Baywatch cast member, Jeremy Jackson.
Brande Roderick – Then
Former Playmate, model, and actress Brande Roderick became famous when she joined the cast of Baywatch in 2000 as female lead Leigh Dryer for the final season and subsequent spin-off movie, Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding.
While she joined the show late and was only a cast member for one season, Roderick made a lasting impression among fans, as well as fellow members of the cast and crew. In April 2000, Roderick became Playmate of the Month and went on to win Playmate of the Year in 2001.
Brande Roderick – Now
After Baywatch, Brande Roderick became an official “Girl of Rock Paper Scissors” for the USA Rock Paper Scissors League. She also competed in the 2006 CBS series, Gameshow Marathon, and the 2009 season of Celebrity Apprentice.
Roderick hosted Playboy TV’s Playboy Shootout and, in 2012, hosted the Aces & Angels Super Bowl XLVI Party. A year later, she returned to compete in the sixth season of Celebrity Apprentice. Roderick is now married to former NFL linebacker Glenn Cadrez. She had her first child in 2010.
Angelica Bridges – Then
A relatively unknown actress, Angelica Bridges joined the Baywatch cast in 1997 as Taylor Walsh. Prior to Baywatch, Bridges acted on Days of Our Lives in 1995, portraying Sharon Taylor.
Bridges recalled her first experience of acting out a rescue on Michael Bergin by saying, “I was really into character, my lips were on his and I was blowing while trying to remember everything from CPR class. Then, all of a sudden, this fool starts puckering his lips and kissing me.”
Angelica Bridges – Now
For the most part, Angelica Bridges has shifted her career away from acting since her time on Baywatch. She portrayed Omegis in 1998’s Mortal Kombat Conquest in addition to a role as “Red Sonja” in 2000’s Conan the Adventurer.
She returned to the Baywatch franchise for the 2003 film Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding and played Paige in The Bold and the Beautiful for a brief stint in 2005. These days, Angelica Bridges is the lead singer of the pop group Strawberry Blonde.
Nancy Valen – Then
Nancy Valen began pursuing a theater career, studying for a year before moving to New York City. In New York, Valen started acting on soap opera called Ryan’s Hope. She stayed on Ryan’s Hope for two years before making the move to Los Angeles.
Her first major film was Porky’s Revenge in 1985. Valen’s other early credits include The Heavenly Kid, Loverboy, and Listen to Me. Before Baywatch, Valen also appeared in episodes of Miami Vice, Charles in Charge, and Murder, She Wrote.
Nancy Valen – Now
Before Nancy Valen had her main role of Samantha Thomas on Baywatch from 1996-1997, she actually appeared as a guest in a 1989 episode.
While she has been featured in individual episodes of shows such as Boy Meets World, Friends, Full House, and Saved by the Bell, Valen’s 22 episodes on Baywatch proved to be the peak of her acting career. These days, Valen has shifted focus from acting to producing and is currently working on an action-comedy franchise called ACTION HEROES INC.
