Catch Up with Erika Eleniak: The ‘Baywatch’ Star Shines at 56

Erika Eleniak has captivated audiences with her diverse roles, most famously as Shauni McClain on the iconic series Baywatch.

Born in Glendale, California, Eleniak embarked on her acting journey at a young age, ultimately carving out a successful career in the entertainment industry.

At just 12 years old, she landed a small part in Steven Spielberg’s legendary 1982 film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which marked the beginning of her Hollywood journey.

In 1989, she graced the cover of Playboy magazine, an appearance that preceded her performances in films like Under Siege in 1992 and The Beverly Hillbillies in 1993.

In addition to her role on Baywatch, Eleniak made guest appearances on popular TV shows such as Full House and CSI: Miami, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

See Eleniak now as she enjoyed a rare outing in Los Angeles over the past weekend.

Erika Eleniak, 56, is known for a variety of roles over the years including her portrayal of Shauni McClain in Baywatch – pictured 1989

When she was 12-years-old, the star was cast in a minor role in Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

The star was seen stepping out for a relaxing stroll with her adorable pup in the Thousand Oaks neighborhood of L.A, while flashing her colorful arm tattoos.

She kept it casual wearing a printed shirt as well as gray sweatpants and pink slip-on shoes. 

Her blonde locks were pulled back into a simple ponytail while a pastel pink cap was placed on top of her head. 

At the age of 12, she was cast as the girl that Elliot (played by Henry Thomas) kissed during a classroom scene in E.T. 

Eleniak recently recalled filming the scene during an appearance on the Still Here Hollywood podcast last year. 

‘I cried because I didn’t want to kiss Henry Thomas. I was very nervous,’ the star revealed. 

‘I remember Steven [Spielberg] coming into the trailer with me and my mom, talking to me for about 10 minutes. He assured me it would be a closed set, so that very few people would be there.’ 

The star was seen stepping out for a relaxing stroll with her adorable pup in the Thousand Oaks neighborhood of L.A. recently

She kept it casual wearing a printed shirt as well as gray sweatpants and pink slip-on shoes

Eleniak soaked up the warm California sunshine while walking through quiet streets with her dog as she flashed her arm tattoos

Thomas also had similar feelings which he talked about during a past interview with People. 

‘When I had to kiss the girl. I had to do it two times! I don’t like girls,’ the actor shared, per Entertainment Weekly. 

Eleniak also shared that Thomas had been ‘in a girls haters club’ and added that she had been two years older than him at the time of filming. 

‘So I was the older woman, and I think Steven talked to him as well to reassure him. I remember a lot of frogs. A lot of frogs and just a good time.’

The star further recalled, ‘I was on set for about three days and then they extended my filming for another day, so I wasn’t there for a very long period.’ 

Seven years later, she was cast as Shauni McClain in the Baywatch series – and played the character from 1989 until her exit in 1992. 

After she left, Pamela Anderson garnered a role in the show. 

Other cast members had included David Hasselhoff, Alexandra Paul, Gregory Alan Williams and Nicole Eggert. 

Seven years later after E.T., she was cast as Shauni McClain in the Baywatch series – and played the character from 1989 until her exit in 1992

In 1987, she began appearing on TV with guest roles on Silver Spoons, The New Leave It To Beaver and Boys Will Be Boys. On film, she appeared in the cult classic horror remake The Blob (1988), followed by Under Siege and 1993’s The Beverly Hillbillies adaptation (pictured)

Eleniak was the original female lead in the show’s first two seasons. Seen with Tom McTigue, David Hasselhoff, Billy Warlock, Pamela Bach, Richard Jaeckel, Monte Markham, Jeremy Jackson

‘It really was just like a big family, honestly,’ she said of her former co-stars in a past interview with Fox News.

‘Brothers and sisters. There was this big camaraderie and we had a lot of lifeguards and paramedics [on set] that were real because one of the main creators was a real lifeguard…’

The actress added, ‘And there was a real brotherhood among all the lifeguards… The cast and crew were just really amazing.’ 

By the time she left the show, Eleniak explained that the series had started to become ‘a little risqué.’ 

However, she further expressed she had been more drawn to films at the time. 

‘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.’ 

Other movies Eleniak has starred in over the years include She’s So Lovely (1997), Final Voyage (1999) and Betrayal (2003). 

The actress recently reunited with her Baywatch castmate Nicole Eggert back in January (seen above)

Eleniak is also mom to a daughter named Indy – whom she shares with Roch Daigle

She had guests appearances in shows such as Full House, Fantasy Island, CSI: Miami and Desperate Housewives. 

The actress recently reunited with her Baywatch castmate Nicole Eggert back in January. 

The former co-stars paused for an Instagram snap together at the Los Angeles City Fire Museum to honor first responders on the one-year anniversary of the deadly L.A. fires. 

Eleniak is also mom to a daughter named Indy – whom she shares with Roch Daigle. 

The outing also comes amid filming for the hotly-anticipated Baywatch reboot, starring Shay Mitchell, Brooks Nader and Noah Beck.