Kat on the Loose: Interview with Actor David Chokachi

Podcast Host: Kat Zammuto
Guest: David Chokachi
Date: March 19, 2025
Episode Theme: An in-depth, candid conversation with Baywatch star David Chokachi, exploring his career, life lessons from fame, personal values, behind-the-scenes stories, animal rescue passion, and what's next.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Kat Zammuto’s engaging and unfiltered conversation with David Chokachi, former Baywatch star, actor in Soul Surfer and other major projects, and dedicated animal advocate. They reminisce about the heyday of Baywatch, delve into the realities of fame and Hollywood, unpack on-set secrets, discuss struggles and joys of career transitions, and highlight David’s heart for dog rescue. The tone is open, playful, and deeply human, mixing nostalgia, humor, and sincerity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Baywatch: Global Phenomenon & David’s Journey

[03:31]–[15:14]

• Global Popularity:

  • Baywatch was the most-watched show globally:

    “It was like 1.1 billion people a week and there were only 5.6 billion people on the planet.” — David [04:42]

  • COVID sparked a resurgence via binge-watching, bringing in younger fans.

• Landing the Role:

  • Casting was competitive (over a thousand auditions). During his audition, casting agents said,

    “Oh my God. They go, holy, you're the guy the writer's been looking for. Please tell us you can act.” — David [05:31]

  • He started on a six-episode "probation":

    “You're kind of, like, on this probationary, so it puts a little added pressure. But I was... made for this show.” — David [06:53]

  • His confidence rooted in years growing up by the ocean, certified scuba diving, and boat driving—skills which made him perfect for the action-required role.

    “All that experience...they were like, wow, this guy can do it all.” — David [07:37]

• Doing His Own Stunts:

  • David performed nearly all his own action scenes, save a couple of high-risk stunts.

    “I did all of them, except...they wouldn't let me...rappel down this cliff.” — David [08:26]

• Cast Dynamics:

  • Pressure and nerves entering an established hit.

    “You're stepping into a show that's already a hit...You're like the new guy, but the fresh.” — David [09:37]

  • Focused on fitness and acting—routine included gym, acting coach, and shooting. Built a strong reputation, securing 19 episodes the first season.

• Pamela Anderson & Rumors:

  • Producers gave him the choice between Pamela Anderson & Yasmine Bleeth as his character's on-screen girlfriend:

    “The producers came to me, ‘Do you want Pamela or Yasmeen as your girlfriend on the show?’ ...Of course I was like, when I went with Pam.” — David [10:27]

  • Off-screen drama: Tommy Lee was jealous watching kissing scenes air on TV, even threatening producers:

    “He threatened the producers. He said, ‘if you write another kissing scene for Pam and Jokaji again, I'm gonna kill you.’” — David [12:51]

  • Ultimately, tensions eased after a group night out:

    “Tommy and I...doing shots together...like it was like nothing ever happened.” [13:45]

  • Navigating on-set romance as "work, not real":

    “If you're jealous, like, maybe you shouldn't date an actor.” — Kat [14:09]

2. Filming Realities: Cold Water, Action, and Financials

[14:33]–[23:25]

• Freezing Ocean, Real Risks:

  • All beach/ocean scenes shot in real water—often at dawn, 60°F, and in Speedos.

    “Take the boat out...six in the morning...the water's probably like 60 degrees...I'd have to get out...after swimming for like an hour, freezing, and then get in the boat and do a scene.” — David [15:35]

  • Developed strategies to deal with shrinkage; self-massage before shooting [16:45].

  • Some cast members feared water; one actress refused to go in, requiring a stunt double [18:24].

• Money & Fame:

  • Only a few (Hasselhoff, Anderson) were paid big; others relied on post-show opportunities:

    “They paid Hasseloff and they paid Pamela and they paid themselves, the producers. But...everybody else...you can make money off the show once we wrap.” — David [19:26]

  • Side gigs arose, like lucrative trips for awards or appearances.

• People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful:

  • Brought lasting celebrity, perks, and social cachet:

    “It becomes like a kind of a fight, like to try and get your guy in there...It's almost like a little club. You're in the 50 most beautiful.” — David [23:00]

3. Navigating Fame: The Good, The Bad, and Staying Grounded

[24:32]–[28:58]

• Surviving Success:

  • David credits his New England upbringing and strong family work ethic for keeping him down-to-earth.

    “My mom and dad taught me...no slacking. That work ethic always carried forward.” — David [26:28]

  • Observed peers lose themselves to ego, poor choices, or overspending:

    “People like, either they left the show because they thought they would become movie stars...or they spent money...or they chose unhealthy lifestyles.” — David [27:53]

  • Hollywood’s temptations: those most successful tended to be grounded, not egotistical.

    “The more successful ones normally they're the more down to earth ones.” — Kat [27:05]

• After Baywatch:

  • Shares about the Hulu docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, chronicling divergent cast paths, including addiction struggles.

4. Fatherhood & Legacy: Real Life Mirrors Art

[30:23]–[34:57]

• Parenthood:

  • Daughter Brit, 13, is a Junior Lifeguard at Zuma Beach, run by Baywatch creator Greg Bonann.

    “It was like art imitating life...Here I am dropping my daughter off...Greg is running the program...” — David [31:19]

  • Family rarely watches his work; his daughter has only seen one episode.

• Baywatch Reboot:

  • David lobbied for a reboot for ten years, envisioning a story with his character Cody and his daughter (Brit playing herself).

    “I’ve been pushing it for probably 10 years...I came up with a great...story about where my character’s been and how he’s back..." — David [31:41]

  • Production struggles: reboot may shoot in Australia for budget reasons, risking authenticity:

    "They're gonna try and double Australia for LA and it doesn't work." — David [32:58]

5. Career Highlights Post-Baywatch

[34:27]–[45:54]

• Soul Surfer:

  • Played a role in the film about Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who survived a shark attack.

    “I was with [Bethany] a lot...She has to exercise what's left of her arm...she's got a great attitude.” — David [36:44]

  • Emphasizes Hamilton’s courage:

    “Surf one-armed is like...can’t even imagine...She charges big waves. That’s super ballsy, and I give her a ton of credit.” [37:19]

  • Created authentic dialogue for emergency scenes based on real lifeguard training.

• Latest & Upcoming Projects:

  • Currently filming Commander Down and recently completed Married Alive, his most personally meaningful film:

    “It was like the best script, the best character, the best crew...It's gonna, like, blow people's minds.” — David [44:59]

6. Passion for Animal Rescue

[38:36]–[44:31]

• How It Began:

  • First involvement with Best Friends Animal Society in 2000; helped save dogs from euthanasia at adoption events:

    “If those dogs did not get adopted that day...they were going to be euthanized the next day.” — David [38:54]

  • Lifelong love for dogs, grew up with pets. Adopted his first pit mix at that event.

• Hands-On Rescues:

  • Supported large-scale evacuations during California wildfires, working with organizations like Wings of Rescue, Paws for Life, and Angel City Pits.

  • Flew across the country moving shelter animals to safety; described high-speed, high-stress airplane loading.

  • Memorable moment:

    “On the first day I went and worked with them...afterwards [the pilot’s] like, ‘I've never had anybody work harder. You ever want to come work for me or fly with us...’ And he didn't even know I was from Baywatch.” — David [41:12]

  • Emotional stories, like saving “the sweetest, most connected dog” Koda from being euthanized for his size:

    “Koda would have been euthanized within three days to three weeks...the sweetest...dog I've ever met, would have been killed.” — David [44:17]

• Charity Promotion:

  • Encourages supporting Wings of Rescue, which operates on donations.
  • Kat’s own dog-related merch supports shelters.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You're kind of, like, on this probationary [contract], so it puts a little added pressure. But I was...made for this show.” — David Chokachi [06:53]

• “If you're jealous, like, maybe you shouldn't date an actor.” — Kat Zammuto [14:09]

• On the perseverance factor:

  “My mom and dad taught me...no slacking. That work ethic always carried forward.” — David Chokachi [26:28]

• “Let me tell you what, whatever you're doing, TV or film, it's not that important in the scheme of...” — David Chokachi [26:39]

• On animal rescue:

  “I was there for the dog.” — David Chokachi [42:24]

• On his biggest passion project:

  “It was like the best script, the best character, the best crew...It's gonna, like, blow people's minds.” — David Chokachi [44:59]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–03:30: Kat's exuberant introduction, Baywatch’s global impact
• 03:31–06:53: David's Baywatch audition and landing the role
• 10:11–13:45: On-screen romance with Pamela Anderson; Tommy Lee’s jealousy, set drama
• 14:33–19:14: Filming in cold water, unique challenges, stunt work, swim testing for cast
• 19:14–23:25: Realities of Baywatch pay, ancillary fame, and People Magazine
• 24:32–28:58: Fame, staying grounded, pitfalls for actors
• 30:23–34:57: Fatherhood, daughter’s involvement with lifeguarding, Baywatch reboot hopes
• 34:27–37:25: Soul Surfer story, Bethany Hamilton’s courage
• 38:36–44:31: Animal rescue work, hands-on stories, lasting meaning
• 44:46–45:54: Upcoming projects, Married Alive, future aspirations

Tone & Style

True to Kat’s podcast identity, the episode is raw, candid, and never stuffy—filled with laughs, real talk, and emotional transparency. David’s personality shines as both genuinely grounded and passionate, offering listeners advice on handling fame, service to animals, and maintaining authenticity. The exchange is informal, warm, and peppered with playful banter and heartfelt stories.

Conclusion

A must-listen for Baywatch fans, animal lovers, and anyone curious about the real person behind the “beautiful” Hollywood image. Kat and David’s chemistry creates a relaxed environment for reflection on the costs and rewards of fame, the importance of humility, and the enduring value of compassion—for animals and each other.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: Kat on the Loose Show.
Follow David Chokachi’s dog rescue work via his Instagram.
Support Wings of Rescue and other animal charities highlighted.