Ageing well: at 52 Baywatch star David Chokachi is in the best shape of his life. He shares tips on keeping fit and talks about redefining the ‘dad bod’
- How to get abs? Intermittent fasting is the secret for TV series’ lifeguard, keen to maintain his six-pack 25 years after baring his chest for a global audience
- Chokachi shares tips on how to age well, and says he hopes to redefine how a ‘dad bod’ should look – trimmer and healthier
At age 52, actor David Chokachi is unquestionably in the best shape of his life. That is no mean feat considering he spent a big chunk of his professional career baring his six-pack abs on the beaches of Malibu in the sizzling hot television series Baywatch.
When 20-something Chokachi strode into casting in the summer of 1995 to replace David Charvet, he had no television acting experience, a degree in political science and a small modelling portfolio. But he had a few things going for him.
“I walked through the door, I hadn’t even said a word, the two female casting directors said, ‘You are the guy that we’ve been waiting for … but let’s see if you can back it up.”
Despite the initial vote of confidence, Chokachi wasn’t a shoo-in for role; he had to audition for the producers, the studio and then the network. Over a month of meetings, look tests and a swim test, he pursued the part rigorously. And why wouldn’t he? He was in contention for a place in the cast of a broadcasting behemoth.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of his appearance on Baywatch, a series about lifeguards on the pristine beaches of Southern California who save lives and uplift the community. It was telecast in 200 markets – including Hong Kong – and translated into 48 languages, reaching an estimated audience of one billion viewers worldwide. According to Guinness World Records, it had “the largest global TV audience in history”.