"Baywatch" Star Erika Eleniak Looks Gorgeous At 51

Feb 01, 2021

There’s always something amazing about seeing how actors and singers have changed since the last time we saw them. Seeing how celebrities’ talents and personal attributes have developed, and how their projects and faces have changed over the years is something everyone likes to know. 

Anyone who grew up in the 80s and 90s and watched television may remember Erika Eleniak, a beautiful model and actress who enthralled her fans. Eleniak was a household name owing to her appearances in many films, including the popular “Baywatch.” It’s safe to say that the beauty stole the hearts of many people, making it difficult not to watch her, or forget her. If you’re wondering what Eleniak has been up to lately, or whether she is still as beautiful as she was back in the day, then keep reading!

Erika Eleniak was working as a model for a number of years, but after a while, she became a mainstay in “Baywatch.” She also took up other minor roles in other films, including “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” by Steven Spielberg, “Chasers” and “The Beverly Hillbillies.” The young gorgeous blonde has somehow turned 51 years old! It’s hard to believe how fast the years have passed.

Eleniak was born on September 29, 1969, in Glendale, California, according to Wikipedia. Dale Alan, her father, was a Ukrainian, while Iris Maya, her mother, was of German and Estonian descent. Apparently, Eleniak’s paternal grandfather was one of the first Ukrainian immigrants to arrive and settle in Canada.

Although many future stars take a while before discovering their dream of being entertainers or getting in front of the camera, Eleniak was different. Her potential was recognizable from a very young age. As a result of her good acting skills and confidence, Eleniak found herself in “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial,” the 1982 blockbuster. At the time, she was only 12 years old. In the film, she was required to be kissed by Elliott, the main character, in a classroom scene.

The seemingly small role paved the way for many other appearances that subsequently laid the groundwork for roles that would later turn her into an admired movie star. When she turned 18, Eleniak was involved in a 1988 horror film known as “The Blob.” She played the character of Vicki De Soto, the creature’s victim. After she executed her character seamlessly, she was called to work in other projects, including a 1993 film adaptation of the acclaimed “The Beverly Hillbillies” in which she starred as Elly May Clampett. She was also involved in an episode of “Full House” in 1990 as John Stamos’s girlfriend.

Although Eleniak took part in many film projects in the 80s and 90s, many people often remember her for her character in “Baywatch.” She starred in the show from 1989 to 1992. Although she was only 20 at the time, Eleniak’s portrayal of Shauni McClain caught the attention of many.

Anyone who watched and loved the show might remember Pamela Anderson, the confident actress who joined the show later on. Eleniak left the show just when it was becoming successful, and Pamela Anderson went on to take Eleniak’s place in the show. 

But why did she do that?

In a recent interview, Eleniak revealed that she loved being on the show, and that she appreciated how well it put lifeguarding in the limelight. 

“I loved being there, and I loved the role, especially the second season,” she said on The Morning Show at 7 News Australia.

“I got some great storylines. I really got to dig my chops into some good acting roles.,” she added. “We did Baywatch to be a serious look at lifeguarding. There were cop shows, doctor shows, lawyer shows and no lifeguard shows.”

However, the show changed direction, and Eleniak didn’t like it. More precisely, she explained that she wasn’t comfortable with how her role on the show changed and how her character was perceived. “It ended up being a bit of a push and pull between me and the producer sometimes. So when Pamela came on, it was just the perfect fit for Baywatch – she was definitely footloose and fancy-free and loved being more of an exhibitionist than I did,” said the star.

The actress left the show in 1992 when Pamela Anderson joined it, but being the series’ original blonde, many people still remember her fondly. “I feel like it was good timing. I got to do one year where it was really conservative on NBC and one year in syndication,” Eleniak explained. “And the cast and crew were phenomenal. It was a great experience.”

Of course, at the time, there were rumors suggesting that she left the show because Billy Warlock, her on-screen and real-life partner, wanted to leave. However, she made it clear that all she wanted was a serious career in film. “I wanted a serious film career - I really, really did. It was so important to me,” she clarified.

To an extent, “Baywatch” also impacted Eleniak's personal life. At some point, when she was still in the series, 7 News Australia reports that she got engaged to Billy Warlock, her co-star. Notably, Warlock had been playing Eleniak’s love interest on the show. Later on, they came to know that they were not meant to be and split up. In 1998, Eleniak married Philip Goglia, a bodybuilder, but the couple divorced after six months.

As it seemed, the beauty found true love during the filming of “Snowbound,” in 2001, where she began dating Roch Daigle, a key grip who was also working on the film. The couple then decided to get married, and Eleniak bought a home in Calgary as per IMDb. Eleniak became pregnant a while later, and the couple welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Indyanna. The actress holds dual citizenship with the United States and Canada. 

Clearly, Eleniak's challenges were not limited to her experiences in show business as she also had a hectic personal life. Even so, she has still maintained her radiance so many years after she was a household name. When you look at her now, all that beauty and charm that caught the eyes of television viewers back then is still intact. Eleniak turned 51 last September and judging by her looks, it’s clear that the aging process is not something we should fear. Her recent pictures depict a beautiful woman both inside and out.

Although Eleniak is not as active today as she was in front of the camera back in the day, she has not abandoned show business. Of course, she has made fewer film appearances over the past couple of years, and she’s still a busy woman. While speaking at The Morning Show, she mentioned that she’s working on a brand new documentary that is based on her past experiences on “Baywatch.”

“We are still creating new content around this 30-year-old show. It is pretty phenomenal,” she said. “They are doing something very special and very different with this documentary film.”

The new documentary “Baywatch: The Documentary” is coming out soon, and Eleniak is excited about it. The documentary is set to take a deeper dive into the show’s cultural impact, as the show was the most-watched series in the world from 1989 to 2001. The show will also investigate the original series’ cast, including their participation, stories from their career in film, and where they are at the moment. Eleniak is among those who confirmed for interviews. The others include David Hasselhoff, Jeremy Jackson, Nicole Eggert, Alexandra Paul, Gena Lee Nolin Hulse, David Chokachi, and Jaason Simmons. Drew Arnold, Matthew Felker, Ari Shofet and Nicole Eggert are some of the people who have received individual producer credits for the documentary.

"We want to show the audience how it culturally shaped an entire decade," said Felker, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "The look and feel and tone of Baywatch bled into everything '90s. Baywatch is about as synonymous with a decade as the Kardashians are to today’s current pop culture." 

And that’s not all. Eleniak is the creator and host of The Spiritual Alchemy Podcast, per her Instagram account. She posts different pictures and other material regularly to her over 44,000 followers.

Although Erika Eleniak is popularly known for her role in “Baywatch,” the woman has made many achievements both as an actress and a model. One of the things she will definitely be remembered for, however, is making the tough decision to leave the series. It was a popular show, and she may have opted to forgo her personal standards in pursuit of success, but she didn’t and followed her passions. Eleniak is a person who is not forgotten easily. 

What do you think of Elika Eleniak and her life? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with your friends! They may also be interested to know about this "Baywatch" star.