Baywatch stars celebrate its 30th anniversary

Baywatch stars Brande Roderick, David Charvet and Erika Eleniak lead the way as stars from the iconic 90s show celebrate its milestone 30th anniversary… but what are they doing now?

  • The cast celebrated the show’s milestone anniversary in Santa Monica on Tuesday evening 
  • But there was no sign of leading stars David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson, who were both absent 
  • The show ran from 1989 to 2001 and was watched by millions during its peak years in the 1990s  

For some, it was the show that defined a decade.

Filled with busty blondes, chiselled torsos and those iconic red swimsuits – not to mention a catchy theme tune sung by the late, great Jimi Jamison – Baywatch serves as a cultural touchstone for those of us old enough to remember it. 

But while an incredible 30-years have passed since it launched, the bulk of its cast were still on hand to celebrate its milestone anniversary in Santa Monica on Tuesday evening. 



Here they come: Erika Eleniak (L) David Charvet C) and Brande Roderick (R) led the way as the former stars of Baywatch celebrated the show’s 30th anniversary in Santa Monica on Tuesday evening


Racy: Brande Roderick played blonde bombshell Leigh Dyer (L). Now 45, the actress looked as youthful as ever at the Santa Monica anniversary celebration on Tuesday evening (R)

Old times: (L-R) Traci Bingham, Donna D’Errico, Yasmine Bleeth, Gena Lee Nolin and Nancy Valen became household names on the hit show 

With leading man David Hasselhoff and co-star Pamela Anderson unavailable on the night, it was former stars David Charvet, Erika Eleniak and Brande Roderick who led the way as the cast made their way into the coastal city’s Viceroy Hotel. 

French born Charvet, now 47, found fame as Matt Brody on the show, featuring for three consecutive years before signing a record deal and returning to his native France, where he released three albums over a seven year period. 

While the versatile star enjoyed prolonged success in a variety of mediums, former co-star Erika stayed loyal to TV and film in the years following Baywatch, with cameo appearances in Desperate Housewives and Boone: The Bounty Hunter.  


Old times: French born Charvet, now 47, found fame as Matt Brody on the show, featuring for three consecutive years before signing a record deal and returning to his native France, where he released three albums over a seven year period

Main man: Charvet starred alongside Pamela Anderson, who did not attend the celebratory event on Tuesday evening 


Remember me? Erika Eleniak stayed loyal to TV and film in the years following Baywatch, but she will forever be remembered for her role as Shauni McClain during her time on the show

Romantic connection: The actress was engaged to her former co-star Billy Warlock, who also played her love interest on the show

But she will forever be remembered for her role as busty Shauni McClain, a role she played for three years from the show’s 1989 launch to 1992.  

The actress famously enjoyed an off-screen romance with co-star Billy Warlock, who also played her love interest on the show, with the pair later announcing their engagement. 

Best known for his role as Eddie Kramer, Warlock was not present on Tuesday evening, but his absence was more than made up for by Brande Roderick. 

In good company: Brande was joined by Alexandra Paul at the anniversary party in California on Tuesday evening 



In attendance: Kelly Packard Privett (L), Parker Stevenson (C), and Nancy Valen (R) were all on hand to celebrate the anniversary with their former co-stars


Handsome: Parker Stevenson, 67, proved he has clearly lost none of his handsome charm while attending the event (L). He played Craig Pomeroy for 10-years on Baywatch (R) making him one of the show’s longest serving cast-members

Lifesavers: (L-R) Billy Warlock as Eddie Kramer, Erika Eleniak as Shauni McClain, Parker Stevenson as Craig Pomeroy, David Hasselhoff as Lt Mitch Buchannon, Shawn Weatherly as Jill Riley and Peter Phelps as Trevor Cole


Stylish: Alexandra Paul wore a vibrant orange halterneck dress for her appearance at the celebratory event (L), but she is best know for the iconic red swimsuit she wore as Lt. Stephanie Holden during her five-year stint on Baywatch (R)

Side by side: The actress was joined on the red carpet by her husband, Ian Murray

One of the show’s more recent stars, Brande was introduced as blonde bombshell Leigh Dyer in 2000 before going on to star in hit film Starsky & Hutch and a recent reboot of another iconic show, Beverly Hills 90210. 

Now 45, the actress looked as youthful as ever in a sweeping red gown as she made her way into the event alongside her co-stars.  

Elsewhere Parker Stevenson proved he’s not lost his handsome good looks while attending the event, some twenty years after leaving the show.  

The actor was one of the show’s longest serving characters, playing Craig Pomeroy over 28 episodes for a ten-year period between 1989 and 1999.  

Leading man: David Hasselhoff played Mitch Buchannon for the show’s duration, but he was absent on Tuesday evening 



Party time: Ingrid Walter (L), Brandy Ledford (C) and Angelica Bridges (R) showed off their glamorous dresses as they made their way inside


Make way: Nancy Valeen beamed as she made her way into the Viceroy Hotel (L). The 53-year old actress played Captain Samantha Thomas on the show (R)

Group shot: (Clockwise from top left) Mike Newman, Donna D’Errico, Jeremy Jackson, Nancy Valen, Gena Lee Nolin, Jose Solano, Yasmine Bleeth, David Chokachi, Traci Bingham and David Hasselhoff (centre)

Other stars to attend the event on Tuesday evening included Alexandra Paul, who was joined on the red carpet by husband Ian Murray. 

The actress, 56, caught the eye in a vibrant orange halterneck dress, but she is perhaps better known for the red swimsuit she wore as Lt. Stephanie Holden on the hit show. 

While Baywatch has arguably been the defining point of her career, Alexandra has also featured in hit films Dragnet, 8 Million Ways to Die and, more recently, Sharknado: The 4th Awakens.  

Reunited: Erika Eleniak and Nancy Valen embraced as they posed for photos on the red carpet 


Unrecognizable: Former child star Jeremy Jackson was among the guests at the event on Tuesday evening (L). He became a household name thanks to his role as young Hobie Buchannon on Baywatch (R)

Co-stars: Hobie was central character Mitch Buchannon’s adolescent son on the show

Jeremy Jackson was also present on Tuesday evening, 20-years after he filmed his final scenes as young Hobie Buchannon. 

The 38-year old actor featured as main lifeguard Mitch Buchannon’s adolescent son for a decade before leaving the show in 1999.

But his post-Baywatch career has been checkered, with Jackson appearing on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2011 – one of numerous reality TV appearances – after developing an addiction to steroids.    


Here she comes: Brandy Ledford ensured she commanded her fair share of attention on Tuesday evening (L). She is best known for her role as Dawn Masterton on Baywatch: Hawaii (R)

Legendary: (L-R) Pamela Anderson as CJ Parker, David Charvet as Matt Brody, Yasmine Bleeth as Caroline Holden and Jaason Simmons as Logan Fowler


Striking a pose: Kelly Packard Privett caught the eye in a lace embellished red sheer dress (L), two decades after playing April Giminski on the show (R)

Baywatch ran in its format from 1989 to 1999 before relaunching with a new setting and a massive cast overhaul as Baywatch: Hawaii.

The spin-off ran for two seasons before going off air in 2001. It would be followed be stand-alone feature Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding in 2003. 

Revolving around the personal and professional lives of lifeguards on the beaches of Los Angeles, it was the most-watched television show in the world during its peak years in the 1990s. 

High spirits: Justine Eyre and John Allen Nelson beamed as they attended the 30th anniversary celebration 

 

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