On April 15, news surfaced that actress-model Erika Eleniak would reprise her role of Shauni McClain in the upcoming reboot of her ‘90s FOX television surf show, Baywatch. Eleniak, 56, confirmed the same on Instagram six hours ago with a screenshot of a Deadline article reporting the same. She wrote in the caption:
“I’m so excited! I can’t wait to bring Shauni back to Baywatch! I’m also excited to meet the new cast and catch up with David Chokachi, who’s bringing back Cody. Let’s go! #baywatch #baywatchtv #freemantle #fox.”
Erika Eleniak appeared in a lead role as a lifeguard on the first three seasons of Baywatch between 1989 and 1992. Since then, she has appeared on many television and film projects.
Eleniak last appeared as herself in an episode of the British comedy series Meet the Richardsons in 2023 and the indie film Lollipop Gang in 2024. Besides the occasional cameos, she maintains a life away from the spotlight with husband Roch Daigle, a former key grip, and their only daughter, Indyanna, 20.
For the sequel, Erika will join new cast members Brooks Nader and Livvy Dunne, according to the Daily Mail. In the brand-new storyline, Shauni McClain is a Santa Monica-based city councilwoman who’d help organize an annual Beach Games for the lifeguards.
Taking a closer look at Erika Eleniak’s life after ‘Baywatch’
The same year Erika Eleniak left Baywatch, she starred in Andrew Davis’ action thriller film Under Siege, in the role of Playboy Playmate Jordan Tate, opposite male lead Patrick O’Neal. Incidentally, Erika took inspiration from her real-life experience as a Playboy Playmate and was even called “Miss July 1989” in the movie, a tribute to the month in which she appeared on the magazine’s cover.
In 1993, she played Ella May Clampett on the comedy feature film, The Beverly Hillbillies. Over the next few years, Erika Eleniak appeared in other slasher or romcom movies, such as Chasers (1994), Girl in the Cadillac (1995), Bordello of Blood (1996), and She’s So Lovely (1997). She continued to appear in three movies each in 1998 and 1999, before starring in the sports drama The Opponent in 2000.
Erika kept busy with guest roles on various film projects between 2001 and 2005. She then took a five-year hiatus to focus on her personal life. In 2010, 2012, 2017, 2019, and 2024, she appeared in more such movie cameos.
Elsewhere, Eleniak also worked on television in the three episodes of the CBS police procedural show Brooklyn South in 1998, the 1999 miniseries Aftershock: Earthquake in New York, several made-for-television films, and a few episodes of CSI: Miami and Desperate Housewives in 2010.
Among her reality TV ventures were The Real Gilligan’s Island (2005), Celebrity Fit Club (2006), and Germany’s Next Top Model (2008).
In 1995, Erika Eleniak lent her voice to identical twins Jamie and Janie in the interactive video game Panic in the Park. 11 years later, she appeared in iTunes comedy podcast, ‘80s Movie and Music Fest Café, and spoke about her time on Baywatch, being engaged to co-star Billy Warlock (played her love interest Eddie Kramer), and dealing with weight-gain and eating disorder during the filming of Celebrity Fit Club.
For six months in 1998, Erika Eleniak was married to bodybuilding champion Philip Goglia. She crossed paths with her future husband, Roch Daigle, in Calgary, Alberta, while shooting for her 2001 film Snowbound.
For the past two decades, Eleniak has been dividing her time between Calgary, Los Angeles, and Telluride, Colorado.
Today, Erika is a proud wife, mother, life/ acting coach, co-producer, host of the audio podcast The Spiritual Alchemy, blogger, dog owner, and tattoo enthusiast (both her arms are inked!). On her website, she describes herself as:
“I am Mama to Indyanna, the light of my world and the driving force behind everything I do and everything I want to be. I am an actor of over 35 years and grateful for all that has meant in my Life. I am currently an acting teacher and I share what I’ve learned over the years with aspiring actors of all ages.”
Erika Eleniak’s bio continues:
“I have also worked with kids and teens in recovery from substance abuse, addiction and behavorial issues, using acting as a means to help them come out of their dark places, find the light that they are and find ways to use this as self-empowerment. In overcoming, we find ourselves, truly.”
The actress-model also identifies as a SEE (Spiritual Enrichment Education) student on her way to becoming a licensed Unity Teacher. She is also a Genius Hour teacher/ volunteer for a public school and helps children explore various career options.
Additionally, Erika Eleniak is a certified wedding/ event planner, an ordained minister (at Universal Life Church) who takes “spirituality seriously” and enjoys it, while being grateful for her family, friends, good health, access to food, shelter, clothing, and safety, and above all love and good life.
In 2018, she spoke to Fox News about her time on Baywatch.
“It really was just like a big family, honestly. Brothers and sisters. There was this big camaraderie, and we had a lot of lifeguards and paramedics that were real because one of the main creators was a real lifeguard… There was a real brotherhood among all the lifeguards… The cast and crew were just really amazing.”
She continued:
“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… 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.”
Erika Eleniak claimed that by the time she decided to leave the show, she wasn’t feeling “super comfortable.” However, the “main motivation” was films, which she called her one true calling.
Her last rare public appearance was in June 2023, walking her dog in Thousand Oaks, CA. According to The New York Post, she looked unrecognizable in a loosely fitted patterned pyjama, a maroon t-shirt, and flip-flops. At the time, the publication reported Erika Eleniak would appear in a Baywatch documentary and as Marilyn Monroe in the movie, Marilyn Monroe Back?
Edited by Pallavi K