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North Wales Live
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Baywatch legend who saved show from cancellation dies at home aged 73
Paul Nichols, the Baywatch legend who played a pivotal role in rescuing the show from cancellation, has passed away. The star died at his home in Weatherford, Texas, with his death occurring on March 14, although it was only recently announced by his family. His wife of 31 years, Linda, had died just 12 days before him. Currently, no cause of death has been revealed. Back in 1991, while working for The Lippen Group, Nichols was instrumental in the resurgence of 'Baywatch' by helping All American Television in moving the show to first-run syndication. This move rejuvenated the series after NBC had dropped it following its debut season. His strategic move ensured the survival and subsequent success of the series, which went on to run until 2001, starring David Hasselhoff and becoming an international sensation. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Les Eisner, a fellow publicist, praised Nichols' impact in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, noting that he "was largely responsible for branding [Baywatch] as the world's most-watched TV series. Whether that was true or not, who knows? But it stuck." Although the significance of Nichols' contribution to 'Baywatch' might not have been immediately apparent in 1991, by 1996, the show was reportedly attracting a staggering 1.1 billion viewers weekly, according to the Express, reports the Irish Mirror. 'Baywatch' continues to hold the esteemed Guinness World Record for being the most-watched TV show worldwide. Broadcast in 142 countries and translated into 44 languages, the series' success led to the creation of a spin-off, 'Baywatch Nights', and a feature film in 2017. The show didn't just pull in viewers; it catapulted its cast to international stardom. David Hasselhoff, already known for 'Knight Rider', became a global icon through 'Baywatch', which also introduced talents like Pamela Anderson and Donna D'Errico to a broader audience. Born on March 22, 1948, in Delaware, Paul graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from Penn State University in 1970. He began his career as a DJ before landing a role on the renowned talk show The Mike Douglas Show in Philadelphia. In 1980, he moved to California to work for John Davidson, Douglas' successor. His impressive career also included stints at Group W, All American Television and Sony Pictures Television. Paul's wife Linda, who sadly passed away on March 2 aged 77, held a senior role at the TV marketing association Promax. After retiring, the couple relocated to Texas to be closer to her family. Paul is survived by his brother Robert, sister-in-law Denise, nephews Steve and James, and niece Caitlin.
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Baywatch legend who saved show from cancellation dies at home aged 73
Baywatch legend who saved show from cancellation dies at home aged 73 Paul Nichols, who is credited with saving Baywatch from the axe, has died at the age of 73, just 12 days after the death of his wife of 31 years, Linda The 1997 The cast of the hit television series "Baywatch" (Image: Getty Images ) Paul Nichols, the Baywatch legend who played a pivotal role in rescuing the show from cancellation, has passed away. The star died at his home in Weatherford, Texas, with his death occurring on March 14, although it was only recently announced by his family. His wife of 31 years, Linda, had died just 12 days before him. Currently, no cause of death has been revealed. Back in 1991, while working for The Lippen Group, Nichols was instrumental in the resurgence of 'Baywatch' by helping All American Television in moving the show to first-run syndication. This move rejuvenated the series after NBC had dropped it following its debut season. Paul Nichols, the veteran publicist has died at his home in Weatherford His strategic move ensured the survival and subsequent success of the series, which went on to run until 2001, starring David Hasselhoff and becoming an international sensation. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Les Eisner, a fellow publicist, praised Nichols' impact in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, noting that he "was largely responsible for branding [Baywatch] as the world's most-watched TV series. Whether that was true or not, who knows? But it stuck." Article continues below Although the significance of Nichols' contribution to 'Baywatch' might not have been immediately apparent in 1991, by 1996, the show was reportedly attracting a staggering 1.1 billion viewers weekly, according to the Express, reports the Irish Mirror. 'Baywatch' continues to hold the esteemed Guinness World Record for being the most-watched TV show worldwide. Broadcast in 142 countries and translated into 44 languages, the series' success led to the creation of a spin-off, 'Baywatch Nights', and a feature film in 2017. The show didn't just pull in viewers; it catapulted its cast to international stardom. David Hasselhoff, already known for 'Knight Rider', became a global icon through 'Baywatch', which also introduced talents like Pamela Anderson and Donna D'Errico to a broader audience. Born on March 22, 1948, in Delaware, Paul graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from Penn State University in 1970. He began his career as a DJ before landing a role on the renowned talk show The Mike Douglas Show in Philadelphia. In 1980, he moved to California to work for John Davidson, Douglas' successor. His impressive career also included stints at Group W, All American Television and Sony Pictures Television. Paul's wife Linda, who sadly passed away on March 2 aged 77, held a senior role at the TV marketing association Promax. After retiring, the couple relocated to Texas to be closer to her family. Paul is survived by his brother Robert, sister-in-law Denise, nephews Steve and James, and niece Caitlin. Article continues below
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Baywatch cast today - from tragic deaths, cancer battles and jail time
The cast of Baywatch introduced fans to their first slow-motion run on the beach in 1989, but since the show wrapped decades ago, we've taken a look at where the hunks of the show are today It's been nearly 40 years since the iconic cast of Baywatch first dashed down the beach, and it's safe to say a lot has happened since the days of the skimpy swimwear and buff bods. From tragic deaths, cancer battles, jail time and befriending criminals, it's been a turbulent time for the hot hunks of Baywatch. One sad loss came when Baywatch legend Paul Nichols, who saved the show from being axed, passed away earlier this year. The star died on March 14 at his home in Weatherford, Texas, but his family only went public with the news this week. His death came just 12 days after he lost his beloved wife of 31 years. In 1991, Nichols, then working for The Lippen Group, played a crucial role in the revival of Baywatch by helping All American Television shift it into first-run syndication. This savvy move breathed new life into the series that NBC had dropped after its initial season. Fans loved the iconic lifeguard drama, which went on to become one of the biggest and most memorable shows as Mitch, CJ and the gang patrolled the LA beaches. The show lasted 11 seasons after it aired in 1989. While it's been a few decades since the show ended, we've taken a look at where the cast are now since hanging up their whistles... Pamela Anderson, 57, (CJ Parker) Blonde bombshell CJ burst onto screens in the second season and retired her buoyancy aid in 1997, after five seasons. The actress, Playboy favourite Pamela, went on to make a series of movies, including Barb Wire and Scary Movie 3, but it was the honeymoon sex tape with rocker ex-husband Tommy Lee that turned out to be the film role of her career. Now an animal rights activist and strict vegan, Pamela launched her own skincare brand, Sonsie. In October 2024, she was named a "Woman of the Year" by Glamour magazine too. She also released four novels and three memoirs, including her 2023 memoir, Love, Pamela, with a Netflix documentary on her life, Pamela: A Love Story released in the same month. In February, she got positive reviews when she was cast in Gia Coppola's The Last Showgirl, as she called her character "the role I have been waiting for my entire career." David Hasselhoff, 72, (Mitch Buchannon) The Hoff stayed until the penultimate series and before Baywatch was in Knight Rider. Career problems led to treatment for alcoholism in 2007 but career highs include being a judge on Britain's Got Talent in 2011 and getting his own show, Hoff The Record. He can now be found shopping in Cardiff with his third wife, Welsh sales assistant Hayley Roberts, 45. Hasselhoff is still acting and doesn't take himself or his Baywatch role too seriously, as he uses it periodically for parodies and commercials. He has also become a motivational singer, a popular musician in Germany and has a Malibu-themed clothing line. But recent reports claim he's now "living on borrowed time" according to a source close to the 72-year-old actor. The television icon was spotted in a wheelchair at Cancun airport in Mexico on Monday before limping through LAX in California. Carmen Electra, 53, (Lani McKenzie) The model only appeared for one season, in 1997, but her acting left a lasting impression. Former Playmate Carmen swapped slo-mo beach running for horror comedies including Scary Movie but her notable role by far was dating X Factor chief Simon Cowell in 2013. Famed for previous relationships including a four-year marriage to Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Dave Navarro, she was also briefly hitched to basketball rebel Dennis Rodman. However, last year the star sparked concerns from fans following a bizarre podcast interview. The actress appeared on Dear Media's The Skinny Confidential with Lauryn Bosstick to coincide with Baywatch's 35th anniversary, where she appeared less polished than usual. Some fans called it 'hard to watch' and speculated about Carmen's condition, although a source said that her sluggish behavior was caused by a bout of Covid. David Charvet, 52, (Matt Brodie) French-born David played beach hottie Matt for three seasons until 1995, when he left and started playing a resident hottie in US soap Melrose Place. Not content with just being gorgeous, he quit acting to concentrate on his music career, got a five-album deal and recorded duets with Bryan Adams and Seal. In 2018 he split up with his Dancing with the Stars wife Brooke Burke. He is thought to still live in Malibu and so far has only produced three of the expected five albums, which gives us all something to look forward to… Yasmine Bleeth, 56, (Caroline Holden) Troubled Yasmine was one of TV's most famous faces and even launched her own line of swimwear, Yaz Wear. But after leaving the show she battled cocaine addiction and her career bombed. She met her hubby club owner Paul Cerrito in rehab in 2000 and, now the couple split their time between Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona. Michael Newman, 68, (Newmie) Real-life lifeguard, muscular Michael was initially hired as a consultant to add authenticity. He based many of the rescues on real situations he'd faced and even had his own fan club. Newmie quit acting after Baywatch and went on to sell houses in the wealthy suburbs of LA and was also passionate about continuing to raise awareness about the heroism of lifeguards and firefighters. He was one of several Baywatch cast members featured in the 2024 Hulu docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, but sadly passed away in 2024 aged 64 due to complications from Parkinson's disease after an 18-year battle. Kelly Packard, 50, (April Giminski) Kelly insists she is "very proud" to have appeared for two seasons. After leaving in 1999, she went on to star in teen sitcom California Dreams before hosting Ripley's Believe It or Not! Kelly, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since her teens, was married to Dr Darrin Privett when she joined Baywatch and they had four kids. In 2014 the family appeared on Celebrity Wife Swap, but Kelly has been pretty quiet ever since. Erika Eleniak, 55, (Shauni McClain) The ex-Playboy playmate was in the show until season three. After quitting she had roles in films including a remake of The Beverly Hillbillies. Erika, who had an eating disorder earlier in her career, went on Celebrity Fit Club in 2006 after putting on weight. She is now said to live in Calgary, Canada, with her husband, Roch Daigle and their daughter. In 2023, she shared she was struggling with aging. "[I'm] going through a lot of healing right now and the one thing that we know about life that is constant is that nothing is constant,' she said in an Instagram video at the time. "So I've been doing some deep digging, right, about aging all of this," she said as she pointed at her face. "Struggling to hold onto my youth, to let it go, where to be in that." In 2024, the actress made a rare apperance at the After Baywatch: Moment In The Sun premiere held at The Bungalow in Santa Monica, California as she showed off fully tattooed arms when she wore a short-sleeved black top with long slacks. Traci Bingham, 57, (Jordan Tate) After playing her busty character for two seasons, the lingerie model-turned actress left in 1998 and has since carved out a lucrative career in reality TV. She won £80,000 on The Surreal Life and competed in Gimme My Reality Show, Fear Factor and Celebrity Big Brother. Like Pamela, she's an animal rights activist. She appeared on the red carpet in 2024 looking almost unrecognisable as she headed to a reunion with former co-star Jeremy Jackson at the After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun. Kelly Slater, 53, (Jimmy Slade) The reluctant star has told how he was forced into doing the show by his mother... when all he wanted to do was surf. Kelly, who says it "wasn't a fun time", quit after 27 episodes and took to the water. Today, the father-of-one is regarded as the greatest pro surfer of all-time, having won 11 world championships. He was pressured into doing Baywatch by his mother, saying: "I was embarrassed to do the show and really didn't want to be an actor." He was given the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in Madrid Monday at the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards. It's Slater's fifth award from the prestigious event, which began in 2000 to honor individuals around the world who make a significant impact in sports. Alexandra Paul, 61, (Stephanie Holden) Alexandra starred in five seasons and, for some of that time, her character dated Mitch. Stephanie was eventually killed off in 1997 after being struck by lightning. Since leaving the show, Alexandra has gone on to have numerous bit-parts in movies and TV shows, including Mad Men. Married to a vegan triathlon coach, she is now an endurance athlete 'practicing owning Iess stuff', as well as a political activist. She has been arrested numerous times for protesting. She is passionate about tackling global over-population and chose not to have children herself. However earlier this year the actress revealed that she was stalked for 13 years, and it cost her $60,000 in legal fees. Alexandra said it all started in December 2011 when she claimed a woman knocked on her door with her little brother asking to use the restroom. She said she let them in her home to use the restroom, and for the next couple of days, the woman reportedly kept leaving notes for her - which led to Alexandra's husband to call the number she had left to tell her to 'leave us alone.' Gena Lee Nolin, 53, (Neely Capshaw) Like REM drummer Mike Berry, Gena hails from Duluth, Minnesota. She joined Baywatch in 1995, quitting in 1998 to star in her own TV show, Sheena. Another Playboy pin-up, Gena played herself in the 2017 comedy-action turkey Killing Hasselhoff. After having her third child in 2008, Gena was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease that hits the thyroid gland. She is married to former NHL hockey star Cale Hulse. Jeremy Jackson, 44, (Hobie Buchannon) Having almost lost the role of Hobie to Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy played Mitch's son from age 10. He left years later after battling steroid addiction. After a sex tape scandal with porn star Sky Lopez, he tried a TV comeback but was axed from Celebrity Big Brother in 2015 when he opened glamour model Chloe Goodman's dressing gown. Things got worse and, in 2017, he was jailed for nine months after stabbing a woman while trying to steal a car. While Jeremy is now clean and working as a fitness coach and sober mentor for other recovering addicts, he has previously spoken openly about his struggles, which also included a turbulent end to his marriage to Loni Willison. AJ Langer, 50, (Caroline Larkin) Millions knew her as sexy Caroline but AJ is now known as the Duchess of Devon. Born in Ohio, AJ was also in Beverly Hills 90210 and The Wonder Years. In 2004, she wed Charles Courtenay, son of the 18th Earl of Devon. The couple moved to the family seat at Powderham Castle in May 2015 and have two children, but then divorced in 2023 as she "underestimated" life as an aristocrat. Nicole Eggert, 53, (Summer Quinn) Actress Nicole won an army of male fans during the first few seasons. Revealing she had a boob job after meeting co-star Pamela Anderson, Nicole's career flopped when she left the show. She went on Celebrity Fit Club to shed weight, had a boob reduction on TV's Botched and joined celebrity diving series Splash. The mum-of-two filed for bankruptcy in 2013 and she now reportedly sells ice creams from her van. Nicole has two daughters - Dilyn, 27, with ex-boyfriend Justin Herwick, and 14-year-old Keegan, whose father she has never publicly revealed. She has sadly been battling breast cancer, and during an appearance on the Amy & T.J. podcast last year, Eggert revealed she had recently undergone a single mastectomy.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Baywatch icon who worked with Pamela Anderson dies at age 77... just 12 days after his wife's death
A legendary publicist who was responsible for building Baywatch into one of television's most iconic series has passed away. Paul Nichols died at his home in Weatherford, Texas, on March 14 aged 77. No cause of death has yet been disclosed. The news was shared by his family on Wednesday. He died only 12 days after his wife of 31 years, Linda, passed away, making it a double tragedy for the Nichols family. Nichols was a publicist working at The Lippen Group in 1991 and worked tirelessly to stop the show from being cancelled and instead become syndicated globally. The series went on to become a powerhouse money-maker, generating $70million and attracting a weekly audience of 1.1 billion in 142 countries at its peak. Baywatch aired from 1989 until 2001 with 241 episodes in all. The beach drama starred David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth and Nicole Eggert. The show focused on Lt. Mitch Buchannon (Hasselhoff), who was the dedicated leader of a group of lifeguards on Malibu Beach in Los Angeles. Although this prime-time soap opera featured a lot of sand, sun and bikinis, it also tackled many serious themes and had multifaceted characters. There was also a Baywatch movie made in 2017, starring The Rock and Priyanka Chopra. Paul was born in Delaware in 1948 and graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from Penn State University in 1970. He started out as a DJ then went into showbusiness. His first big job was on the talk show The Mike Douglas Show, based in Philadelphia. In 1980, he relocated to California to work for John Davidson, Douglas' talk-show successor. He also was employed at Group W, All American Television and Sony Pictures Television. It comes after Baywatch actor Michael Newman died at the age of 68 in October. He was best known for his role as lifeguard Mike 'Newmie' Newman on the hit TV series. The actor also starred on Baywatch Nights for three episodes in 1996. Newman passed away due to complications related to Parkinson's Disease, according to PageSix. He was first diagnosed with the disease in 2006 at the age of 50. Newman was the only Baywatch actor who had worked as a lifeguard in real life. He appeared on 150 episodes of the show, which was the most appearances of any character, with the exception of main star David Hasselhoff. The actor was also working as a full-time firefighter while starring on Baywatch. His struggle with Parkinson's disease was mentioned on the recent documentary After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun. 'This terminal disease has allowed me a lot of thinking time, which I maybe didn't want, but it's brought me wisdom,' Newman told People in August. 'My body has changed so slowly that I hardly notice it, yet I am constantly reminded that Parkinson's has now become the center of my life,' he added. Newman also said, 'I am cherishing the days that I get to be on this earth with family and friends. I'm taking life seriously.' He shared that the words he lives by are, 'It's not a run-through.' Michael's Baywatch alter ego Newmie was based on himself as he was a lifeguard in real life. The actor wasn't intended to star on the show and was first employed as a stuntman, but he eventually got to be right at the heart of the action. 'I was too useful for them to get rid of me,' he said. 'I basically started off as a stuntman, and after seven years of being out of the opening credits, I finally was anointed and allowed to be in the front of the show.' After his stint on Baywatch, Michael retired from acting because he found it 'hard' to 'look natural' on camera. He explained: 'If you didn't have to be there, why would you be? Let's be honest … there's not too many actors that have survived the years of working in Hollywood.' He admitted there are negative sides to the industry that led to his exit. Michael said: 'Having to deal with the people who scratch your name out on the script and put their name on there? That kind of thing … you never get used to that.' Michael is survived by his wife, Sarah, their son Chris and daughter Emily, as well as granddaughter Charlie. Newman appeared in the 1999 movie Enemy Action with co-stars C Thomas Howell and Louis Mandylor. The thriller was about two Air Force officers who are after a stolen high-tech smart bomb.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Baywatch icon who worked with Pamela Anderson dies at age 77... just 12 days after his wife's death
A iconic figure behind the Baywatch TV series has passed away at t he age of 77. The legendary show's publicist Paul Nichols died at his home in Weatherford, Texas, on March 14. No cause of death has been disclosed as of yet. The news was shared by his family on Wednesday. He died only 12 days after his wife of 31 years, Linda, passed away making it a double tragedy for the Nichols family. Paul was a publicist working at The Lippen Group in 1991 when he helped the show from being canceled by getting it into syndication. The series went on to become a powerhouse money maker. Baywatch aired from 1989 until 2001 with 241 episodes in all. The beach-set drama starred David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth and Nicole Eggert. The show focused on Lt. Mitch Buchannon who was the dedicated leader of a group of lifeguards at Malibu Beach in Los Angeles. Although this prime-time soap opera features a lot of sand, sun and bikinis, it also tackles many serious themes and features multifaceted characters. There was also a movie made in 2017 starring The Rock and Priyanka Chopra. Paul was born in Delaware in 1948 and graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from Penn State University in 1970. He started out as a DJ then went into showbusiness. His first big job was on the talk show The Mike Douglas Show, based in Philadelphia. In 1980, he relocated to California to work for John Davidson, Douglas' talk-show successor. He also was employed at Group W, All American Television and Sony Pictures Television. This comes after Michael Newman died at the age of 68 in October. He was best known for his role as a lifeguard named Mike 'Newmie' Newman on the hit TV series Baywatch. And the actor also starred on Baywatch Nights for three episodes in 1996. Newman passed away due to complications related to Parkinson's Disease, according to PageSix. He was first diagnosed with the crippling diseases in 2006 at the age of 50. His friend Matt Felker told People that the complications were with his heart. Newman was the only Baywatch actor who had worked as a lifeguard in real life. He appeared on 150 episodes of the show, which was the most of anyone else on the show, except for the show's main star David Hasselhoff. The actor was also a full-time firefighter while starring on Baywatch. His struggle with Parkinson's disease was mentioned on the recent documentary Baywatch: Moment in the Sun. 'This terminal disease has allowed me a lot of thinking time, which I maybe didn't want, but it's brought me wisdom,' Newman told People in August. 'My body has changed so slowly that I hardly notice it, yet I am constantly reminded that Parkinson's has now become the center of my life,' he added. Newman also said, 'I am cherishing the days that I get to be on this earth with family and friends. I'm taking life seriously.' He shared that the words he lives by are, 'It's not a run-through.' Michael's Baywatch alter ego Newmie was based on himself as he was a lifeguard in real life. The actor wasn't intended to star on the show and was first employed as a stuntman, but he eventually got to be right at the heart of the action. 'I was too useful for them to get rid of me,' he said. 'I basically started off as a stuntman, and after seven years of being out of the opening credits, I finally was anointed and allowed to be in the front of the show.' After his stint on Baywatch, Michael retired from acting because he found it 'hard' to 'look natural' on camera. He explained: 'If you didn't have to be there, why would you be? Let's be honest … there's not too many actors that have survived the years of working in Hollywood.' He admitted there are negative sides to the industry that led to his exit. Michael said: 'Having to deal with the people who scratch your name out on the script and put their name on there? That kind of thing … you never get used to that.' Michael is survived by his wife, Sarah, and their son Chris and daughter Emily, as well as their granddaughter, Charlie. Newman appeared in the 1999 movie Enemy Action with costars C Thomas Howell and Louis Mandylor. The thriller was about two Air Force officers who are after a stolen high tech smart bomb.
