David Hasselhoff a.k.a. the Hoff is probably the most watched TV Stars of all time. Globally he is probably about as famous as a star can get. His career covers film, TV, music and theatre and he has enjoyed success in all his endeavours. Born in Baltimore in July 1952 his first break came when he 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" and "Baywatch." Born in Baltimore, MD, on the 17th of July 1952 he grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and Atlanta. After school the young Hasselhoff studied acting singing and theatre in Michigan and California and had his sights set on a career in musical theatre. But in 1975 is first big break came from an unexpected direction when he won the role of Dr Snapper Foster in the daytime drama "Young and The Restless" a part he played until 1982. The show had a massive audience and firmly established David Hasselhoff as a household name in the US.
Hasselhoff left the soap when he was spotted by Brandon Tartikoff, and hired as Michael Knight in the new primetime show Knightrider. Tartikoff was the TV executive responsible for turning around NBC's poor primetime schedule with shows like Miami Vice, Cheers, St Elsewhere, The A Team, Hill Street Blues and many, many more Cult TV shows.
The show ran from September 26, 1982, to August 8, 1986. and was a high-tech modern-day knight in shining armour fighting crime. The series was conceived and produced by Glen A. Larson (also responsible for Battlestar Galactica), Larson said "I wanted to do The Lone Ranger with a car, kind of a sci-fi thing, with the soul of a western."
Hasselhoff said of the show "It's a phenomenon. It's bigger than Baywatch ever was. It's because it was about saving lives, not taking lives, and it was how one man can make a difference. And we had a blast making it, and we made sure nobody died on the show in the same way we made sure nobody ever drowned on Baywatch."
After Baywatch finished in 1986 Hasselhoff experienced a few years in the TV wilderness, and returned to his love of music making a number of successful albums. But in 1989 he came back stronger than ever as Mitch Buchanan in the ultimate early 90's show "Baywatch".
Amazingly the show was cancelled after one season and it was Hasselhoff's belief in the project and money which got subsequent seasons made. This is probably the TV equivalent of the man who turned down the Beatles, as at it's height Baywatch was seen by 1 billion viewers each week in over 140 countries, making Hasselhoff a global star and a very wealthy man.
Since the end of Baywatch and it's various spin off series Hasselhoff has enjoyed a resurgence in his musical theatre work appearing on both Broadway and in the West End, and in Las Vegas. He has also been seen on reality TV show Simon Cowells "America got Talents".
But it has not all been easy, Hasselhoffs battle with Alcohol has been sadly very public leading to the break up of his marriages and some very difficult periods in his life. He continues to work and receive support from his family and fans throughout the world.