Nicole Eggert biography

Synopsis

Child Actor

Nicole Elizabeth Eggert was born on January 13, 1972, in Glendale, California. Her father, Rolf Eggert, is a German-born executive of a canning company, and her mother, Gina, is a British-born talent agent. Eggert was only 5 years old when her mother entered her in the petites division of the Miss Universe beauty contest. She won first place, launching a career as a child actress that led to several television commercials, including spots for Johnson's Baby Shampoo.

In 1979, at the age of 7, Eggert landed her first substantive role in the made-for-TV movie When She was Bad… After appearances on the TV shows Today's F.B.I. (1981) and Fantasy Island (1981), in 1982, while still only ten years old, Eggert landed a recurring role as William Shatner's daughter on the police drama T.J. Hooker. In addition to acting full time from the age of five, Eggert received her education via on-set tutors and night classes and was by all accounts a bright and eager student. "I was really spoiled, but I wasn't a brat," she now says, remembering herself as a child star. "My mom was strict at the same time."

In 1985, Eggert landed another recurring role in the cast of Tony Danza's popular comedy series Who's the Boss? Two years later, she got her first taste of true national stardom when she assumed the prominent role of Jamie Powell on the popular sitcom Charles in Charge. Eggert made gossip column headlines when, at the age of 16, she began dating her costar Scott Baio. Baio had first risen to stardom while playing Chachi on Happy Days and had evolved into something of a heartthrob. He was 27 years old at the time and played Eggert's babysitter on the show.

'Baywatch' Fame

Nicole Eggert completed her transformation from adorable child actress to teenage sex symbol in 1992 when she was cast as bombshell lifeguard Summer Quinn on the world-famous syndicated series Baywatch. In order to land the part, she had to pass a swim test, get breast implants and sign a contract agreeing not to gain weight. "Everybody would get on my back about all the junk food I ate and that I smoked," she later recalled.

Eggert joined the ranks of "Baywatch girls" who starred opposite David Hasselhoff in the popular beach action drama, along with Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, and Yasmine Bleeth. Baywatch made Eggert the celebrity crush of seemingly millions around the world. Despite the fame, she soon found her role on the show highly demeaning, and in 1994 she decided to quit.