At 54, Actress Erika Eleniak Looks Unrecognizable From Her Bombshell Days In ‘Baywatch'

Jul 06, 2023

Erika Eleniak was one of the iconic figures in the blockbuster franchise "Baywatch." Eleniak debuted as an actress in Steven Spielberg's "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" as the girl the lead character, Elliot, kissed. Her next appearance in a movie was as Vicki De Soto, the victim of a dangerous creature in the horror flick, "The Blob," in 1988.

Eleniak was also a model, and she won Playboy's Playmate of the Year in 1989, around the same time she shot to international prominence. She got one of the female leads as blonde bombshell Shauni McCain in "Baywatch," which started in 1989, and she continued on the show until 1992. The series was a hit at home and abroad, launching the cast into the limelight. 

“Baywatch” was an action T.V. series that focused on the challenges that lifeguards who patrolled beaches in California and Hawaii faced in their personal and professional lives. The cast included David Hasselhoff, Jeremy Jackson, Nicole Eggert, Pamela Anderson, Erika Eleniak, Billy Warlock, David Chokachi and more.

"Baywatch" barely survived as NBC canceled it after one season. However, it was syndicated and became the most-watched television series in the world. A spin-off series, "Baywatch Nights," followed from 1995 to 1997. A “Baywatch” film starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron followed in 2017. Meanwhile, stars of the '90s version have been pegged for a documentary that will be filmed soon. 

On June 28, 2023, Eleniak teared up on Instagram after seeing the love fans displayed toward her. Eleniak's tears were a response to the support she got after articles scolding her for letting herself go surfaced. Continue reading for Eleniak's response.

"Baywatch" was on its way to becoming a top series when Eleniak exited. Fans were stunned when "The Beverly Hillbillies" actress announced she was leaving the series.

"When we shot that show … it was January," she told Fox News. "It was the coldest time of the year. We would use these huge lights to make it look hot and sunny. I remember running in the water on the coldest day of the year. Our lips were so blue that we couldn't use the footage. It was ridiculous. It was so cold."

Eleniak had fun with her castmates despite those challenges. "It really was just like a big family, honestly," she claimed. "Brothers and sisters ... The cast and crew were just really amazing."

Eleniak later explained that the show was becoming too risqué for her at the time. 

"When we first started the show … it was on NBC, which, at the time, was the most conservative network on television. There were certain things you didn't show, you didn't say," she explained. "Things have changed a lot since then."

She added: "It did take a different direction, but it is what made the show a phenomenon. I felt like it was a different show and no, I was not comfortable. It definitely wasn't my thing to be super risqué."

Eleniak also explained that there was another reason she could give up what many would have considered the opportunity of a lifetime. 

"If you have to play a lifeguard and you don't want to be in a bathing suit, there's going to be issues," she confessed. "But for me, I wasn't super comfortable, but that wasn't the main motivation for me (to leave). It really wasn't. My heart was in films, and it was calling."

On June 28, 2023, Eleniak posted a clip on Instagram where she tearfully thanked her fans for their nice comments and for standing up for her after the press slammed her for looking "horrible" and "overweight" in recent pictures. The pictures were taken after paparazzi stalked the mom of one as she walked her dog in her neighborhood in a T-shirt and sweats, and no make-up. Eleniak's tattoos on both arms were also on full display.

The derogatory comments by the tabloids made Eleniak angry. She took to her social media to warn the press and said the next time she spotted paparazzi, she would take pictures of them and splash them online. "Public Domain, right?" She stated. 

Eleniak further admonished the tabloids for not taking concern for her and her family's safety. "You probably don't think about this, but these stories that you create, not only are they harmful, they are so unsafe. You also posted the town I live in; I have a kid." She scolded, revealing how she spent her last birthday with detectives after a stalker flew to her front door from Texas.

The actress also explained that she was crying because everyone had been kind to her and not because of the derogatory publications. Fans had taken to her comment section to say she looked beautiful despite not using make-up and that she looked good for her age.

"I'm crying … these are tears of absolute gratitude for you guys out there who are taking my back. I really appreciate you so much. You really mean a lot to me. And I am going to keep going," she expressed.

The renowned actress further promised to share what she had been going through on former co-star Nicole Eggert's podcast, "Perfectly Twisted." 

What do you think of Erika Eleniak's response? Do you think the tabloids crossed a line? Did you watch her on "Baywatch"? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends, family members and fellow "Baywatch" and Erika Eleniak fans!