David Michael Hasselhoff (pronounced /?hæs?lh?f/; born July 17, 1952) is an American actor, singer, producer and businessman. He is best known for his lead roles as Michael Knight in the popular 1980s US series Knight Rider and as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in the series Baywatch. Hasselhoff also produced Baywatch for a number of seasons in the 1990s up until 2001, when the series ended with Baywatch Hawaii. Hasselhoff also crossed over to a music career during the end of the 1980s and the early 1990s. He was noted for his performance at the Berlin Wall at New Year’s Eve 1989; he enjoyed a short-lived success as a singer primarily in German-speaking Europe.
In 1996 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Saved a drowning child. [August 1995]
Helped to rescue a car crash victim. [March 1995]
In 1989 he was awarded “Most Popular and Best Selling Artist of the Year” in Germany and was invited to perform ‘Freedom’ on the Berlin Wall New Year’s Eve 1989.
In 1990, Cosmopolitan’s Editor Helen Gurley Brown chose him for her magazine’s 25th anniversary issue.
Was engaged to Roberta Leighton.
His lead role in “Baywatch Hawaii” was scheduled to be killed off in explosion that ends final episode of 1999-2000 season due to his commitments to new series “Double Cross.” [May 2000]
26 June 2002 – checked into the Betty Ford Clinic for alcohol-related problems.
Has had a passion for singing and is a major recording artist in Europe. He tried to break into the American music scene in 1984 with a remake of “Do You Love Me?”, but bombed. His next attempt was in 1993 when he scheduled a live pay per view from Atlantic City. This time, it was O.J. Simpson that ruined his “comeback”. As David was performing his concert, OJ was traveling along the L.A. freeway in his white Bronco. People who were watching the concert had switched over to the news to watch the car chase. Since then, Hasselhoff has not tried to break into the American music scene. He now saves his music for his television shows and the European fans.
Hasselhoff and ex-wife, Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff, were injured when the motorcycle they were riding on crashed into a light pole in February 2003. Both suffered just minor injuries.
Attended the Academy Of Dramatic Arts (Chicago) and the California Institute Of Arts (Los Angeles)
Children: Taylor-Ann Hasselhoff (b. 5 May 1990), Hayley Hasselhoff (b. 26 August 1992)
Siblings: Daine (b. 19 May 1950), Joyce (b. 1 July 1954), Jean (b. 7 March 1956), Lisa (b. 5 July 1968)
Is mainly of German ancestry.
Played Michael Knight on “Knight Rider” (1982). His ex-wife, Catherine Hickland, is currently married to Michael E. Knight.
Is one of the very few actors to play the same regular character on two different series simultaneously. From 1995 and 1997, he played Mitch Buchannon on both “Baywatch” (1989) and “Baywatch Nights” (1995). Richard Anderson and Fred Dalton Thompson are among the other actors to have done this.
In Germany, he shares his dubbing voice with Kermit the Frog.
Attended Marist High School in Atlanta, Georgia
1970 Graduate of Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois. He is also listed in the Alumni Hall of Fame.
Failed out of Marist High School in Atlanta, but transferred to Lyons Township High School in the Chicago suburbs where he successfully graduated. A plaque with his image is on display on the Wall of Fame in the main corridor of the high school.
His stage credits–both on and off Broadway–include “Grease,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” (he was Judas Iscariot), and “The Rocky Horror Show” (he was Dr. Frank N. Furter).
He is second cousins with famous Australian TV host Rove McManus.
His sister, Jean Hasselhoff, appears in the “Knight Rider” (1982) episode, “Dead of Knight”, as Stanley Kamel’s secretary “Rosemary”.
Is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as “The Most Watched TV Star in the World”, thanks to starring roles in both “Knight Rider” (1982) and “Baywatch” (1989).
Chose singer Corina Brouder to be a “wildcard” on “America’s Got Talent” (2006) because “She has such an aura”.
October 2006: Single “Jump In My Car” reached #3 on the UK Music Charts.
After a court battle against his ex-wife Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff, he was awarded primary physical and full legal custody of his daughters Taylor Ann and Hayley (15 June 2007).
Was considered for the role for Boba Fett in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
Has season tickets to the University of Arizona football games in Tucson. His daughter, Taylor-Ann Hasselhoff, became a student there in fall 2008.
Older brother of Jean Hasselhoff.
His mother, Dolores, died from a stroke in February, 2009.
Once explained on a talk show about being attacked by a male kangaroo at a wildlife preserve.
