ACTOR DAVID CHOKACHI COMING FULL CIRCLE ON BAYWATCH

Summary

Podcast Summary: Kat on the Loose

Episode: Actor David Chokachi Coming Full Circle on Baywatch

Host: Kat Zammuto
Guest: David Chokachi
Date: June 3, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Kat Zammuto welcomes actor David Chokachi back to "Kat on the Loose" to talk about Baywatch's highly anticipated return to television. David, the only original cast member returning as a series regular, discusses the journey to revamping this classic show, his physical and mental transformations, and shares wisdom for actors striving for longevity in the entertainment industry. The conversation is equal parts motivational, behind-the-scenes juicy, and a tribute to the legacy of Baywatch.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Return of Baywatch

• Announcement & Production Details

  • Baywatch is returning to TV—airing on Fox in prime time, then moving to Hulu for on-demand viewing. (02:34–03:07)
  • The show is produced by Fox and Fremantle, the latter also known for programs like Dancing With The Stars.
  • David Chokachi will reprise his role as Cody, making him the only original cast member with a regular recurring presence. (02:02–02:23)

• Not a Reboot, but a Next Chapter

  • The new series is a continuation, not a strict reboot: “The DNA and the heart and soul of the original Baywatch is exactly in the new one... you fast-forward from when we left L.A., so 1999 to 2026.” – David Chokachi (13:41–14:32)
  • Some storylines (including the classic ‘cheesy’ moments, like an electric eel) will be updated for today's audience.
  • The cast is largely new, but Stephen Amell is cast as Hobie (previously David Hasselhoff's on-screen son), bringing back another iconic character with a new face. (15:31–15:48)

2. The Casting Process & David’s Journey Back

• Manifesting the Comeback

  • David previously pushed for a Baywatch reboot for over 10 years and actively hustled for his spot by creating a highlight reel blending scenes from the original and clips of his current active life:

    “I am not taking no for an answer. I’m gonna be on the show. I cut together...a minute-60 reel of like some clips from the old show but more of like how I live my life today—which is like, hardcore.” – David Chokachi (07:47–08:19)

• Intense Casting Competition

  • Over 15,000 people applied for roles. Many were cut before auditions, underscoring the competitive nature of the process. (11:17–11:56)
  • The significance of fitness and readiness for the role was a major component of casting decisions.

• Pride and Legacy

  • “I hustled this job on my own, basically…when it came out in Deadline, it was like, you know, Fox actually invited me to collaborate and I went outside and I was like, yes.” – David Chokachi (11:56–12:18)

3. Physical & Mental Wellness

• Better Than Ever at 58

  • David discusses being in better shape now than during his original run:

    “I am in better shape than I was when I was 24…I’m 58 years old. I’ve learned a lot…But on the other side of that suffering, I discovered something like a higher gear, a higher operating system that we all have within ourselves.” (04:05–04:40)

• Discipline & Daily Routine

  • David attributes his fitness to waking up at 3:30–4:00 AM, daily hard workouts, and a “no excuses” approach:

    “If you do it repeatedly for a week your body starts sending you a signal like dude, you’re awake and nobody else is up functioning yet.” (08:22–08:47)

  • Cold plunges, staying active all day, and clean eating are all essential to his lifestyle. (09:34–09:51; 28:12–28:22)

4. Inside the New Baywatch

• Character Role & Set Innovations

  • Cody now owns “Shoreline,” a bar where lifeguards gather post-shift—creating new opportunities for character bonding and drama:

    “The bar they built on the Fox lot is so badass…all the lifeguards go and hang out after work.” – David Chokachi (15:57–17:13)

• Mentorship On & Off Camera

  • David serves as a real-life mentor to the cast, especially regarding ocean safety and rescue techniques. He notes the new cast had limited time to train, and he’s offered advice on practical lifeguard skills:

    “A big thing is when you’re running with a rescue can, when you put the loop over your chest and when you release it...You want it to fly a little bit because the longer it’s in the air, the less drag it has.” (21:31–23:26)

  • He cautions about on-set safety, explaining real-world techniques are crucial.

• Set Technology

  • Major renovations and technological upgrades to sets, including working taps at Cody’s bar and LED projection walls for dynamic backgrounds. (32:17–32:33)

5. Reflections on Legacy and Longevity

• Long Gap, Rare Feat

  • Reprising his role after 27 years is a rare accomplishment in TV history:

    “There’s only like, four others who...It’s very rare to reprise a role in a show...And also, I’m not going to reprise a role as, like, the fat old dad who’s 58. I’m going—I’m going in banging, like. Better shape than I was when I was [young].” (26:45–27:21)

• Industry Shifts

  • Social media clout now factors heavily into casting. David weighs in:

    “They are casting based on your numbers, a lot of things...But I think that’s the worst message I could ever send [to kids].” (33:11–33:37)

• Advice for Aspiring Actors

  • “Acting takes years to get good at. It’s not something unless you’re born with like some freaky talent. It takes a lot of years to just stand in front of 100 people on a close up and do your—nail it, and be real and go to emotional ranges that you’re demanded of.” (34:16–35:04)
  • Classic training and relentless effort are still key: “Take good care of yourself...if you want to have longevity in this business.” (27:21–27:36)

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Memorable Quotes

• On Growth Through Hardship:
  "If you go through something very difficult and you endure it and you come out the other side, there's this chance, if you stay open to it, to actually become the highest version of you or start going towards the highest version of yourself."
  — David Chokachi (04:05–04:40)

• On Reprising Iconic Roles:
  "I’m not going to reprise a role as, like, the fat old dad who’s 58. I’m going—I’m going in banging, like. Better shape than I was when I was [young]."
  — David Chokachi (27:01–27:21)

• On Health and Self-Belief:
  "I just go. I go all day. If I get tired, I go jump in a cold plunge. I'll cook dinner, I’ll eat dinner, and I won’t even—if I sit down, then I’m like, I won’t sit down. I’ll do the dishes, keep moving, and then go to bed."
  — David Chokachi (09:35–09:51)

• Encouragement for Aspiring Actors:
  "If you want to have longevity in this business you take good care of yourself...classic training and relentless effort are still key."
  — Kat Zammuto & David Chokachi (27:21–27:36; 33:49–34:19)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-----------|---------------------------------------------| | 01:04 | David Chokachi returns to the show | | 02:34 | Baywatch returns: broadcast & streaming info| | 04:05 | David on being fitter at 58 than 24 | | 07:47 | David's self-made audition reel story | | 09:34 | Extreme daily routine and motivation | | 13:41 | Not a reboot: how new Baywatch continues | | 15:57 | New set: Cody’s bar and set upgrades | | 20:29 | Cast training and authentic rescue skills | | 26:45 | Rarity of reprising TV roles decades later | | 28:12 | Diet, training routine, and self-discipline | | 33:11 | Social media's role in acting careers today | | 34:16 | Lasting advice to actors and industry newcomers |

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Final Thoughts

This episode is a heartfelt, behind-the-scenes look at Baywatch’s return and David Chokachi's inspiring, no-excuses attitude. It's packed with wisdom about what it takes to earn—and keep—a place in the TV spotlight, the realities of an evolving industry, and the enduring value of self-mastery, craft, and health. For Baywatch fans, fitness buffs, or anyone hustling a comeback, this is a must-listen.

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[The new Baywatch premieres Fall 2026 on Fox, streaming later on Hulu.]

Transcript

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[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

David welcome back to Cat on the Loose.

[David Chokachi]

Thank you so much.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

I am so honored to have you back because I know I've been really annoying. You like come back?

[David Chokachi]

No, you've been so helpful like guiding me the social media world and helping me. So I, I, yeah, I'd do anything for you. You're awesome.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Oh, thank you. I'm so grateful. So let's rewind a little bit for those of you who are new to Cut on the Loose. I think just about a little over a year ago because it was March 2024, you came to the show, I don't know if you remember that.

[David Chokachi]

March 2020.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

It was March 2024 and at the time we had no idea Baywatch was going to be redone in the United States and you are going to be cast. But we did talk about it and we manifested a lot.

[David Chokachi]

Yes, we did.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

And now f here we are. They are redoing Baywatch. Not redoing. Right. You're going to explain to us, but Baywatch is coming back to TV and you are the only original cast member coming back.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, I think they are. They're going to bring others back. But in terms of, you know, I'm, I'm, they tag me as a recurring, but it's more of a, it's a series regular in a way. I'm in a lot of the episodes. So I think I'm the only one who has is going to Have a, like a, A staying presence.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah. Well, as of today. Right. You're the only one.

[David Chokachi]

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Nobody else.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah, you guys are. You guys. So let's explain step by step because I know not everybody knows what's going on as much as we do. So Fox is bringing back Baywatch.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, Fox and Fremantle owns, I guess, the rights to Baywatch, which is a, you know, Fremantle puts out a lot of, I think like Dancing with the Stars. It's a huge, I guess, you know, I don't know. They do distribution. They're also studio, but. So I guess it's kind of a co production between Fremantle and Fox and. But it'll air on Fox in the fall, which is amazing. So it's going to air like prime time and then so the episode will release on Fox and then the next day it'll flip over to Hulu and live on Hulu.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Oh, wow.

[David Chokachi]

So if you miss it, which is really smart, like you can, you know, keep watching.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

You can watch On Demand.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

So I remember back in the day when Baywatch was on tv, if we missed it, you had to record on the VCR because we didn't want to miss it. Obviously, like millions of people, I was growing up watching it. You guys had this dream life, dream bodies, dream everything. And now, decades later, you are older, of course, but you're in fantastic shape.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

So that's the first thing I want to ask you. Obviously, I think that was a big part in terms of them recasting you because they look at you like you're in spectacular shape. Some tabloids said you're in better shape than you were before. Some tabloids said you're in better shape than the younger guys they cast. Which I have to agree with them.

[David Chokachi]

I can't say anything about that because I don't want. It's a great cast, but.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah, it is.

[David Chokachi]

I actually am. I. I am in better shape than I was when I was 24. I, it's, you know, I mean, I was in good shape. I was maybe a little bulkier, but like, in terms, I just, you know, I'm 58 years old. I've learned a lot. I've been through some suffering with a bad injury that lasted a long time. But on the other side of that suffering, I discovered something like a higher gear, a higher operating system that we all have within ourselves. But it's. You can't just go, oh, I'm going to tap into that. You have. It's really hard. You have to kind of, you Know, it's explained a lot in various ways, but, like, if you go through something very difficult and you endure it and you come out the other side, there's you. There's this chance, if you stay open to it, to actually become the highest version of you or start going towards the highest version of yourself. And that's what happened. And so I. I mean, now. And also, I knew what worked on the original show, and so this is a big cast, and I've been pushing for a reboot, even though this isn't really a reboot, for 10 years, I would say, ever since they started. And so this came around, and then they were like, maybe on original cast members, maybe not. And I'm like, oh, my God.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

I think that's a look for me. I think I speak for many original Baywatch fans. I think it's a huge deal that they're bringing an original cast member because, yes, we are interested in the new ones, but we want to see some originality to the show.

[David Chokachi]

100. Yeah. I mean, even. I mean, when we did the first press junket, Stephen Amell, who's playing Hobie, he's playing the lead. You know, all the news outlets ran with, you know, Fox makes a smart move, brings back Legacy character Chokechi, and even Thaddeus, who's on the show. Thaddeus Legrand, he's amazing. We've been talking a lot, and he was like, man, we need you more on the show in the pro. Like, we need your presence. We need you in these rescues. He's like, people are gonna watch the show because of you.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yes.

[David Chokachi]

And then maybe they'll hopefully fall in love with them, which is. I was like, damn, dude. That's really awesome of you to say. He's a great guy, David.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

But when you get the call from your agent, whoever was say, okay, Baywatch is really happening. You are on the show. You must have felt a huge sense of pride or like, all my hard work pays off.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah. And I, I tell.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Share with us what's the feeling?

[David Chokachi]

Because I the. I hustled this job on my own, basically. I, I. Well, first of all, I'll back it up. One of the original executive producers, he. He, Greg Bonan, lives up near I do In Malibu, and he also teaches the junior lifeguard program, which my daughter is in. So every morning for the last. She entered when she was nine. She's 14. Like, for last six years, every summer for a month, I'd see him in the morning. I see him at pickup. And we've always Thought like, you know, it comes around like you know, we're ever going to reboot this thing and it came close once, didn't happen. And so you know he's, he's just been, he's been wanting this to happen and always a supporter of me but it's been like, you know, when you get involved with a network and then also Fremantle I guess I don't know what you call them. There's so many. So you, you need three heads basically or three like high level people to agree from every group and every entity on one decision.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Very complicated.

[David Chokachi]

So it gets really tough. But so I knew there was like maybe a debate on me which I found out actually wasn't a debate because so I cut together. Like I was like, I am not taking no for an answer. I'm gonna be on the show. I'm like, I cut together. Thank God. Minute 60 real of like some clips from the old show but more of like how I live my life today, which is like hardcore like you know, I'm up at like today I'm up, I'm either up at 3:30 or 4 in the morning every day.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Are you serious? For like why to work out?

[David Chokachi]

Well no, because it's I, I, after this injury I learned some really great ways to get out of being stuck. And one is if you like creating little micro winds in your day. So one, the easiest win you can develop for yourself is get up early. And if you do it repeatedly for a week your body starts sending you a signal like dude, you're awake and nobody else is up functioning yet.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

And I love, listen I, I do that as well. But not at 4. I, I'm usually up by 5. But I agree with you, it's my favorite time of the day. It's before the rest of the world. I obsess with that chunk of the morning.

[David Chokachi]

Yep.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

And I, by the time it's 8:00am I'm like wow, I have done that's it so much. Right.

[David Chokachi]

You feel good in your, you don't have to tell yourself I feel good. It's yeah, it's a subconscious thing that builds. So that's one reason I get up. And also, also because I, I've gotten to a point, you know this my Achilles like took me out of life for three years where I was dormant and I'm not a dormant person. So I just, I, I'm like, you know, I'm not a doom and gloom guy but I'm like we only all have so many hours left on this planet. I'm going to squeeze the most out of everybody.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Good for you.

[David Chokachi]

I just go. I go all day. If I get tired, I go jump in a cold plunge. I'm like, bing. I'm awake. And I. I'll cook dinner, I'll eat dinner, and I won't even. I won't. If I sit down, then I'm like, I'll be false. I won't sit down. I'll do the dishes, keep moving, and then go to bed.

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[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah, I'm kind of like the same. I go, go, go. But by the time I go to sleep super early, I'm like, sold. People ask me, do you have problems sleeping?

[David Chokachi]

I'm like, I was gonna say the same thing.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

By the time I go to sleep, I am so insanely exhausted.

[David Chokachi]

Exactly. If you have sleep issues. But if you. And you got up at 4 in the morning and you stayed active all day and did a hard workout.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah.

[David Chokachi]

Worked out your brain.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah.

[David Chokachi]

Did some calming, did some breath work and kept going until whatever, say, 10 your body will. Because I used to stay up and read. I love reading. But now with the, the way I live my life, like, I can't even read two pages. And the things.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah, you fall asleep.

[David Chokachi]

So now I just bring my massage gun and like, everybody hates it, but it's like I massage gun, like my legs from. For like two minutes and I'm like, boom, gone. Oh, my God. I don't even. I don't need an alarm. It's. It's either I'm 30 or 4. It's weird.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah, I'm exactly the same. But when they said, okay, the show is happening, everybody agreed to it. And obviously a lot of people know there was a massive casting. Yeah, Thousands of people showed up. They cut a lot of people from even the casting. I was actually one. I was, yeah, 15, 000 people applied. And then the day, like, then like two days before or something, my agency called me. Like, sorry, they. So, I mean, there is the thousands and Thousands of people that want to be on the show and you're like, there. You must have felt all this hard work is paying off this huge sense of pride.

[David Chokachi]

Right. Where was I? I was shooting something and then it didn't really hit me. I mean, we made the deal and then it came out in deadline, and when it came out in deadline, it was like, you know, Fox actually invited me to collaborate and I. I went outside and I was like, yes.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

You know, that's a big deal.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Do you still have contact with any of the original cast members? Are you friends with anybody?

[David Chokachi]

Oh, yeah, yeah. Like, especially Alexander Nepal and Jason Simmons. Michael Bergen, he's actually our real estate agent. He's the best real estate agent in town. If you need my. Swear to God.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

That's cool.

[David Chokachi]

He's awesome.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Shout out to Michael.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, buddy. Come on, sell our house, dude. He's hilarious too. He's got a beautiful face.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

He's too active.

[David Chokachi]

Not anymore. No, he's one of like the top, but he's like one of the top realtors in la. Beautiful, like supermodel daughter who wants to get into fashion, but on the business side. And his son plays semi pro baseball, so.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

So did they reach out to you? Like, wow, that's really cool.

[David Chokachi]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. The majority did for a minute. There's only a couple. I was like, wow, this some bitter.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

That's what I was gonna say. I know it's a tough question and you don't have chance if you don't want to. Do you feel, obviously, I mean, you do your job, you deserve it. Because a big part of being on Baywatch is being in spectacular shape. And like I said, 58 years old. You guys can go look at his Instagram. The link is here. On this episode, you're in fantastic shape. You take really good care of yourself. So I think you're picking the fruits of your work, right?

[David Chokachi]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Aging really well. But did you. Do you feel a little bad because we talked about, like, none of the girl original girls were picked. Literally, like the only one on this cast. Or you're like, whatever, you know, each person.

[David Chokachi]

I mean, according to. I. I think they would love to have everybody. If the show, say the show runs five years, I think they will have everybody back that's. That's interested in coming back over time. I think Erica Liniac is actually going to come back and play for an episode. It's just more who's viable, like, you know, who's like, unfortunately, Alexander Paul, she died in the original show and so to explain the show real quick. Yeah, it's. It's not a reboot in the sense that we're not there, which is really smart by Fox and Fremantle and Matt Nix and all the creative people. They. The DNA and the heart and soul of the original Baywatch is exactly in the new one. And so you fast forward from when we left l. A. So 1999 to 2026, and, you know, whether or not we're going to fill in that gap. Not really. It's more just like this is where we're picking up. So this. The only thing they're removing is, you know, some of the, you know, the storylines that kind of were a little harder, like a little bit. You know, obviously there was some cheesy stuff we had to do. Like, I keep referring to the poor. I don't know who wrote the episode. They're gonna kill me. But, you know, there's an electric eel in a cave.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

And now, you know, listen.

[David Chokachi]

But it works back then.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yes, exactly. We had an alligator TV drama back then was different. I'm sure they're gonna have a lot of the same stuff, like.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

The romance and the broken heart.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, but what girl?

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Right.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, definitely. Like, Brooks Nader is the mean girl and she felt. Fits that role perfectly. And the cast is amazing. Like, Steven's playing like his character's gone through some trauma and he's kind of perfect for it. He's. He's. He's. I don't know if he's met what's going on, but he's. He's. He's tapped into that.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

What are the other. Because I know you're coming back as the same character.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah. Cody.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Then there is. What was his name? That was David Hasselhoff's son.

[David Chokachi]

Oh, Hobie. Yeah.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Hobie is also a character that is coming back.

[David Chokachi]

No. So Hobie is the character, but they recast.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Right? They recast the actor, but the character is coming back.

[David Chokachi]

It's the same.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Are there any other characters coming back? Everything else is new.

[David Chokachi]

Everything else is.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

So just. You two guys are the original.

[David Chokachi]

Yes, that's it. Yeah.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

That's really cool.

[David Chokachi]

It's really cool. Yeah. I mean, it's like. And, you know, they were smart. They're. And one thing. So my character in the beginning so far is I own up. Cody owns a bar called the Shoreline, which is a place where all the lifeguards go and hang out after work. And he. I'm still an active lifeguard. They just haven't used me yet. But the Big difference is. So when, you know, when we shot the original show, when the sun went down, the show kind of ended. Like the episode was like, we don't have any place to go. I mean, Hasselhoff had an apartment that we'd use as a set at night. Pam and Yasmine did and then I did, but they just were kind of like, they were kind of contained. You couldn't do much with it. So now there's a bar where the. All the lifeguards go. And the bar they built on the Fox lot is so badass.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

There is a little bit. A little tease on your Instagram.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah. Yeah. I didn't even take that picture. I was like, I'm not. Luckily, the set designer took it and then went and got approval himself. Like, but the bar, I'll just say it's like, you know, I kind of equate it to if this was a different production, you know, like the. The taps all work. When I'm pouring beers and it's actually pouring like non alcoholic beers. It looks real. Everything's functioning like that's all.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

That's really.

[David Chokachi]

That never.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

So you're like a big brother at this life, kind of a mentor. Can they go?

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, they go and kind of relive like the. Whatever the rescue was. So it's a great place because, you know, as a lifeguard or as any kind of first responder, when you're on duty, you're not supposed to be talking about anything but work. And like, there's no. And that's pretty much like how it is. So we stretched that rule on Baywatch because we had nowhere to go. But now having this bar, the Shoreline where I'm at, it gives all the lifeguards and the writers and everybody a place to go where you can see the real people behind the uniform. So they could be going through an awesome life. They could be going through major trauma and it could be shared there. Whereas you can't share that when you're on duty. It's like, right. You can never do it.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

I'm so excited.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, we had a really cool scene that kicked off episode 101 in there and it was so fun.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

So when you did the original Baywatch, you. Your daughter was not born yet.

[David Chokachi]

No.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Right now you have a teen preteen, 14. So she's a teen and she's in

[David Chokachi]

the real lifeguard program and she's entering Greg Bonan. He runs.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Is she excited? What does she say? Anything? Does she want to. She doesn't care.

[David Chokachi]

She's watched 10 minutes of the first season, my whole first hundred episodes. And then her friends out in Malibu were like, wait, you did. They went this, like a year ago there. All the boys are like, I want to watch it. So they went over and they started watching, and she just doesn't hear.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

She's like, whatever.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, I can't get her to watch anything. I, you know, I do a Wings of Rescue trip. I'm like, look at all these dogs. She's like, why don't you bring home a puppy? Like, she's. She's, you know, at that age where she's kind of very boy occupied. And it's like.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Does she talk about being on TV at all, following her footsteps?

[David Chokachi]

No, not right now. I mean, I. I put her. When she was younger, I put her in one movie or. Or maybe two. One movie that was kind of real because it was a period piece I was producing. I could control it, and I just wanted to have the experience of being. And. And she was, like, amazing. She, like. She had to hit a mark. It was in a river. It was like pouring rain on. She, like, they're like, you got to hit that. Go to that rock, turn around. And she was maybe only, I don't know, eight, nine. And it's a. So this is like during World War II, and they're fleeing a Nazi train, and she's got a turn at this one rock in the rain with river water flowing down. And look back at her dad, and. And he says, go, go, go. And she says something, and she did it. Like, I was like, dang. But, yeah.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

No, she's not like, oh, my God, I can't wait to watch.

[David Chokachi]

No, she doesn't watch anything.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

So what would you say? Like, did the new cast ask you for any? Because I know. Do you think they're doing training? Did they ask you for any tips? Because these are. Obviously, there are a lot of action scenes on the sand, on the beach and the ocean and the water. We talked about, like, being in cold water, which is a really big deal. Yeah, right. Did they ask you for any advice?

[David Chokachi]

Like, so with. They did. They did go through some training, but they basically ran out of time. A lot of the. A lot of the people ran out

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

of time to train before the shooting.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah. Because a lot of people got cast, like, right up maybe a couple weeks before. Before. And. Whereas when I got cast on the show, it was at least two months. And so I took that. I trained with that guy, Mike Newman, who since passed away, who was, you know, six, five, he was the world champion lifeguard competitor and just a absolute beast. And like every day I would train with him and then I would also go to the master swim program at 6am with Greg Bonan and swim because my character was Olympic hopeful. And you can't fake Olympic, like freestyle swimming and think you're like, you can't fake a potential Olympic athlete in the water ever. That's like, unless you're really doing it. So these guys did. Not that they don't have a lot of boat skills, waverunner skills, ocean entry skills, walk up your tower skills.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

And they're like, so they're winging it.

[David Chokachi]

Well, I think they have on set people and I know, I think Greg's trying to help them, but a bunch of them have reached out to me and like said, can we train? Will you show us? Because I, I asked them after we had a huge table reading and then they had a really cool cocktail party for the cast and then the writers and executives and I was curious, I was like, hey, so what kind of training are you guys doing? Is it. What's, what's, what's going on? Like, hoping they were doing a hardcore boot camp. And he's like, yeah, I was, Thaddeus. I was asking who's he played. Division 16 football. He's a beautiful like human being. He's gorgeous, six four, beast of a guy. And also just he's gonna be like a movie star. I've seen him like, he had to do this big monologue. He was up and down, like funny and then deadly serious. I was like, wow, boy, he's got skills. But just, just a good guy. And he and I have really gotten started bonding. But he, I said, so what are you guys doing at this cocktail party for training? He's like, yeah, they have us out there. I go, have you guys worked with like a big thing is when you're running with a rescue can, when you put the loop over your chest and when you release it, like, and how you release it. And he told me, he goes, I go, so what did they tell you? He goes, well, you know, when we start hitting the water. They didn't even tell him there's a technique where you actually kick your knee out to the side. You don't high step it because not everybody's going to be able to like high step waves. So you, you kind of go like this. Like you, if you watch like the, like you kind of kick your knee out and let the wave pass under so it creates less friction. You get further and then once you've gotten a little like a couple steps in, you throw the can to like, and you air it. You want it to fly a little bit because the longer it's in the air, the less drag it has. So if my victim's 20ft out, I can get that much further before I'm dragging that can through the water.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

And I asked, although it's fiction, it's really hard to do.

[David Chokachi]

Well, no, I mean, not if you do. I took it very seriously. I was like, I'm going to portray LA lifeguard. I am not making, I'm not going to have these guys roll up on me and be like, dude, you are not doing that right. And I asked Thaddeus, I'm like, what did they tell you? He goes, oh, they told us to release the can in front of us as they enter the water. I'm like, you're kidding me. He's like, no. I go, dude, do you know what? If, if you release that, it's hard plastic. If you caught a two foot wave, because the waves are coming this way, you're going out towards your victim and you throw your can in front of you and they're, they're just like a surfboard or anything, it'll go, it'll, it'll shatter your face. I'm like, that, that's not good.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Oh my God. Maybe they need to, to go and do some training with you.

[David Chokachi]

Well, I don't know. I, they're trying it, it's a lot. I get it. You know, there, there's a lot going on.

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[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

And they are filming, they are actively filming now, right? They're filming in California, which is really cool because at one point there was talk of the show going to Australia. It was going there.

[David Chokachi]

And then there's Councilwoman Tracy Parks has been awesome and kind of really pushing to get the. Get Baywatch. The tax credits stay.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah.

[David Chokachi]

Her and other people in the California. Whatever you call that system, which was, you know, she was amazing. She showed up at that press junket. And that, by the way, that. That huge Cassidy call was not everybody's like, oh, that was a PR stunt. It was.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

No, it wasn't.

[David Chokachi]

No. A lot of people.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Oh, really?

[David Chokachi]

Because they didn't get it. They didn't. They didn't get a role or something or like. But they. They were dead serious. There was like, tears if you went. If they saw someone that might have potential. There was like.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

They actually cast a girl.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, yeah.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

She worked on her name, but, yeah,

[David Chokachi]

she was so happy.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah, she's so. Yeah.

[David Chokachi]

I mean, so that was real. And that same day, we had a press junket on the top floor of that Marriott. And that was insane. Just, like, so surreal for me. I'm like, it just was weird because they sent a car for me to Malibu.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

I'm like, yeah, you deserve it.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah. Well, I got. We're passing Will Rogers, where we used to shoot, and I'm on my way to this press junk, and I'm like, it's so weird. It's like, is this really. Is this happening?

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

But, you know, after so many years. Right. So many decades.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah. And it's.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

So. Do you know if there is any other show in history that the character. I do not know which character.

[David Chokachi]

I did. Look it up. I think I'm. There's only, like, like, four others who, like. So it depends how they calculate their thing. I'm calculating from that. When I ended. When cody ended in 1999. So it'd be what, I guess, yeah, 27 years.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah.

[David Chokachi]

But if I go to the beginning, I think I would be the number one person because there's only like, four, and it's like. It's a very. You gotta chat. Gbt it. But it's very rare to reprise a role in a show. And also, I'm not going to reprise a role as, like, the fat old dad who's 58. I'm going. I'm going in banging, like.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah.

[David Chokachi]

Better shape than I was when I was.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Which, by the way, I think it's a fantastic example for the younger generations of actors if you want to have longevity in this business.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, you.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

You take good. Take good care of yourself. Right. Because it's a big part of being,

[David Chokachi]

you know, it depends, you know, what. What you're going for. If your Character actor. Maybe not, but for me it was like a self fulfilling prophecy. If I wanted to, you know, for me to. Yeah, I've been training, getting, waiting for this moment for probably a year and I'm like, if I haven't said my workout, my family comes out in the garage. I have like a bunch of weights and a treadmill. I'm like, I'm in there for an hour and a half, like banging it out. I like do not miss a day. Except after a Wings of rescue trip. There's. And then I ice plunge, I sauna every morning, which is really great for recovery. And also it sheds weight.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

And you must eat really clean.

[David Chokachi]

And really I do, I don't eat any sugar. I don't party. I don't do anything. I, I.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

You just live a very healthy lifestyle and that's why it looks so good.

[David Chokachi]

I do, I do. And I, I love like, you know, this stuff. I think I've learned like the biggest. Well, let's talk about the show more and then we'll go into the service thing a little bit. But you know the, the press response at the, even that press junket.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah.

[David Chokachi]

Because typically in the 90s, there was a very, very big love, hate relationship with Baywatch, especially in the US that, you know, great stuff. And then also people would like love to rip us apart. Like, and I was, I would. And so let me back this up. They go, after I get the offer, Matt, they call and say, hey, would you sit down with Matt Nix, the showrunner? He's the head creative guy. So I meet with him and all the writers and I, I have always been thankful for the opportunity. And I've never said one bad word about it. Like you could trace the Internet, you will never find me saying a bad word about Baywatch. And so I had this meeting with like him and 10 writers. I was like in the zone. I was like, I shook everybody's hand. I sat down, like listening. And I somehow came up and I brought it up that I was like, yeah, man. I never spoke negatively about this show because I truly love it. And it's setting a good example for the lifeguard community. Is a really great, healthy community, the junior Lifeguard program.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

The Baywatch people can say whatever they want. It was such an iconic show. It is an iconic show, gives hope to people. It was silly, fun entertainment with a massive audience worldwide. Like the, the Baywatch audience to this day is so people like me, they're so loyal, they're so excited to watch. So I think the younger actors that are cast have huge shoes too.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Because we want to see the first season succeed. Because we want to see many, many seasons. Right.

[David Chokachi]

You know, hopefully they're with any TV show. Even though this is, it's an extension of that show, it's still, you're, you're, you're, it's, it's new in the sense that you're 26 years ahead of like fast forwarding.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah.

[David Chokachi]

With the whole new cast. So they got to find their sea legs, like per se, and figure out what's working. What's the best way to do this. Because right now I feel like it's, it's oversaturated with. We have a lot of cast members, like they just announced a few weeks ago five more recurring.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Oh, wow.

[David Chokachi]

Why do we have five more when you can barely tell the story of like the ones that you already have? But I don't know, maybe they have. There's something in mind.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Well, let's cross our fingers that it's a huge success. Because all I want, I'm so excited.

[David Chokachi]

I just want to contribute and I'm like, I'm waiting for my moment when I get to the ocean because, you know, I, I.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

We want to see. Believe me, we want to see.

[David Chokachi]

Well, plus, like, I'm the one guy who can, I can drive boats, wave runners. I'm a safety certified scuba diver. I can drive boats and wave runners as, like, with enough, like, as good as any stunt marine guy. Like.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah, you have the, in real life, you have the lifestyle.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

So you can do everything.

[David Chokachi]

Sailing and everything.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

So when is it supposed. So you guys are actively shooting now? Can you tell us which beach? I know a lot of it is at the Fox lot.

[David Chokachi]

A lot of. Yeah. And we were Fox and other people spent a lot of money renovating the headquarters down at Venice, which has since turned into a little bit of a. I'm not even gonna go there. Yeah. But, yeah, so we can't shoot the ocean stuff or have trucks on the beach in front of the headquarters they spend millions of dollars renovating.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah.

[David Chokachi]

So now we're shooting in Redondo for the moment until this gets resolved. But on the lot, I mean, I give major credit to these set designers. Like, the guy gave me the tour on my first day and I was like, whoa, this is next level stuff. I mean, my, you know, my bar is like, it's giant. It's. It's got TVs playing surf movies.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

I'm so excited.

[David Chokachi]

Full weight room and they have so out the windows they have LED walls so they can project. We can be interior and in it and project whatever we want on those. So it looks like we're actually down the business.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah.

[David Chokachi]

Which is super smart.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yeah.

[David Chokachi]

Especially given what just happened.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

So please keep sharing on your social media as much as you can.

[David Chokachi]

Yeah, I'm trying. I, I know.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Guys, make sure you're following him. When is the show supposed to air again?

[David Chokachi]

September, October I believe. But definitely in the fall on 2026 on Fox.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Fox. So it's just around the corner. And so any tips not just for the, the guys that got cast because they're already cast, but any wannabe actors, people that didn't get cast that got frustrated in this industry. I mean you've been working a lot for so many decades. What would be your advice or any tips you can give people out there?

[David Chokachi]

It's, it's just, it's really tricky now because of like obviously what we just talked about. But the, which the last thing in the world I wanted to do is drive kids to go build a social media platform. I think that's the worst message I could ever send. But they are casting based on your numbers, a lot of things or they're getting brand deals because you have so many numbers.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

It's part of the business nowadays, right?

[David Chokachi]

Yeah. And then there's people. You can hear Dairo, Denzel, even Dustin Hoffman talking about this. And it, you know, those guys are the greats who have like blood, sweat and tears through their craft. And even someone like myself, I'm not comparing myself to those guys but I were, I studied and I worked and worked and like non stop in class or with a private coach all the way through my career and earn my, earn my cred. And now I have a craft. These other people are coming in as you know and I'm not ripping them at all because like they're a part of my team and I would never like we're a team. I want this to succeed. But I'm just saying in general acting takes years to get good at. It's not something unless you're born with like some freaky talent. It takes a lot of years to just stand in front of 100 people on a close up and do your nail it, nail it and be real and go to emotional ranges that you know you're demanded of and so but we have a superb cast and they're all very eclectic and they all have a lot of like personality. So I know they don't may not have that classical training but I think they, their Personas can translate on camera which, which I believe in. And it's, it's, it's great. It's like, it's a very surreal and it's like, oh my God, the most awesome thing.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

I am super excited and I know a lot of people that watch this, the, the original Baywatch that we are very excited to have you back.

[David Chokachi]

Yes.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

I have to say congratulations. Let's talk about manifesting. Well, it's such an honor having you back on the show and once Baywatch is out, then you come back again and then we'll talk about, we'll dissect and we want to see David on the beach again. So I can't wait for you to go do your beach.

[David Chokachi]

Well, I want to just be back in the rest of the rescue.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Yes. Back in the rescue. Congratulations. You're amazing. Congratulations on all the fantastic work, guys. Go to the gym if you want to be an actor by the time. Thank you, David.

[David Chokachi]

Thanks.

[Podcast Host (Cat on the Loose)]

Very soon. Thank you.

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