Erika Eleniak looked worlds away from her Baywatch heyday as she stepped out in Los Angeles this week, offering a rare glimpse into her life today, and a dramatic transformation that has left fans doing a double take.
The former screen siren, now 56, was seen arriving at Canyon Salon & Extension Bar in Thousand Oaks on Tuesday, dressed in laid-back athleisure that felt a far cry from the iconic red swimsuit that made her a household name.
Wearing a simple white T-shirt, loose navy sweatpants and cozy slip-on shoes, Erika appeared focused and low-key as she made her way into the salon, carrying a velvet tote and clutching her phone.
With her blonde hair worn loose and minimal makeup, the actress looked almost unrecognizable at first glance, a striking contrast to the polished, sun-kissed beauty fans remember from her eighties fame.
But hours later, after an extensive five-hour session inside the upscale beauty spot north of Los Angeles, Erika emerged looking refreshed and revitalized.
© GP / MEGAHer hair appeared expertly styled, her complexion glowing, and her overall look transformed into something far closer to the glamorous image that first propelled her into the spotlight.
The outing marks a rare public appearance for the star, who has largely stepped away from the Hollywood spotlight in recent years, choosing instead to lead a more private life.
© GP / MEGAFor many, Erika will forever be synonymous with her breakout role as Shauni McClain in Baywatch, where she starred in the first two seasons of the hit series alongside David Hasselhoff.
Her character quickly became a fan favorite, embodying a softer, more innocent presence on the beach before the show took on a different dynamic following the arrival of Pamela Anderson.
Yet Erika’s career began long before her time running in slow motion along the California coastline.
© GP / MEGAShe started out as a child model and actor, landing roles in beloved shows including Full House, Charles in Charge, and Silver Spoons. Her big-screen debut came at just 12 years old in Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, where she famously played the girl Elliott kisses in the now-iconic classroom scene.
By the late eighties, Erika had firmly cemented her status as a rising star, further capturing attention when she appeared as Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in July 1989.
© NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesWhile she still has a striking look, her tanned California skin sports a multitude of ink, including heavily tattooed sleeves and a large tattoo on her back, which would have dramatically altered her appearance as she ran along the shores in Baywatch. Talking to the host, Steve Kmetko, about her body art, Erika rolled up her sleeves to showcase her arms.
“I have a lot of tattoos,” she said, explaining that her tattoo journey started in her twenties. “It’s been a long road,” Erika said, She detailed how “every tattoo that I have is significant of something,” before she showed off the inner part of her arm that it was dedicated to her mom, Iris, who passed away. When asked why she does it, Erika quipped: “I love tattoos. I love that my body is a canvas to tell my stories. It’s fun.”
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