“Baywatch” bombshell Erika Eleniak, 56, made a rare red carpet appearance for The Brave and the Rescued fundraiser held at the Los Angeles City Fire Museum on Jan. 17.
The ‘90s star attended in honor of the heroes who fought to contain the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires that ravaged 37,000 acres of land just one year ago.
Erika Eleniak’s Tattooed Arm Sleeves
While she’s known for wearing the infamous red swimsuit, Eleniak’s elaborately tattooed arm sleeves stole the red carpet, as reported by the Daily Mail. During her time as Shauni McClain on “Baywatch” from 1989 to 1992, the Hollywood star didn’t have a single ink piece; however, her colorful arms are now one of her standout attributes.
During an interview with the “Still Here Hollywood” podcast in June 2025, Eleniak explained how she began inking her body in her late 20s — shortly after carousing the beach alongside Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff.
“I have a lot of tattoos. It’s been a long road,” she told host Steve Kmetko. “I love tattoos. I love that my body is a canvas to tell my stories. It’s fun.”
Eleniak said that “every tattoo” she has on her body is “significant of something,” sharing that one of her most meaningful stamps is for her late mom, Iris.
Erika Eleniak Recalls Days as a ‘Baywatch’ Babe
Although Eleniak had a key role in “Baywatch,” she left the show when it was at “the height” of its popularity, she told Fox News in a previous interview. She also shared a behind-the-scenes POV with the outlet, explaining how what viewers saw on their screens wasn’t as realistic as they might have thought.
“When we shot that show… it was January. It was the coldest time of the year,” she shared. “We would use these huge lights to make it look hot and sunny. I remember running in the water on the coldest day of the year.”
“Our lips were so blue that we couldn’t use the footage. It was ridiculous. It was so cold,” Eleniak shockingly added. “They would spray you with water to make you look sweaty, and it was freezing and windy outside. That’s the magic of television, right?”
Apart from her “Baywatch” days, Eleniak’s other claim to fame is her role in the 1982 classic “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” The actress appeared in the film as the blonde girl who kissed actor Henry Thomas during a classroom scene.
