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”.
The show’s got a new life on streaming and a new generation of fans – which is another reason I stay fit. I don’t need some kid coming up to me to ask, ‘What happened?’
Chokachi was trying to fit seamlessly into the red swimming shorts made famous by a roster of television stars before him. “I knew, going in, being shirtless was part of the show – we shot mostly on the beach or in the water. Thanks to my mum, I had been sailing all my life, I was an avid swimmer and I hit the gym every day – when they said they were looking for a strong swimmer, I was ready.”
As the character arc of Cody Madison revealed that he was a contender to be an Olympic swimmer, Chokachi went the extra mile with his swimming training. “As the show progressed, my character was supposed to be not only a good swimmer but one of the best, so I trained really hard to not embarrass myself in the swimming scenes.”
“I think I’m working out a lot more now than I did when I was in my twenties. The bummer about ageing, I have to work out almost twice as hard to get half the results. And I’m a lot more careful about my diet,” he says.
“At the PTA [Parent Teacher Association] meetings, I’m definitely the more in-shape father. I take my daughter to the beach, I surf with her in the ocean, and I need to keep up with an energetic eight-year-old.
“I’d like to redefine ‘dad bod’ to someone who takes care of themselves and their health. I want to be around as long as possible for my family.”
That may explain why he looks leaner now than he did in the sun-kissed summers of shooting in Los Angeles, New South Wales and Hawaii.
“It’s a little hard at first but once you get used to it, it’s been really rewarding. I’ve read a lot about the benefits of fasting for longevity, for your brain … and to maintain abs.”
A word that pops up in our chat is sacrifice. “You give up something to earn something else – it’s such an amazing Eastern philosophy I picked up when I was travelling around Asia in my post-college days. I can stay in shape and get in shape a lot faster because of the small sacrifices made by fasting; I’m not putting in a ton of calories so I don’t have to burn off as much. I’m giving up a little something for the greater good.
“I’ll still indulge on the weekends with pizza and junk, but I limit the times that I do that. On Sundays, there are pancakes, syrup and butter – which I make for my daughter, too – and that indulgence is just as important. It stops the cravings and helps you focus on weekdays.”
If he was asked to wear that skimpy swimwear today, 21 years later (he left the show in 1999), he would have no problem. “In fact, here’s an exclusive for you at South China Morning Post. We are all in discussion for a reboot of Baywatch. If all goes well and the scheduling works out, a reunion is in the works.”
Though the show took a critical drubbing, its global reach and popularity defied every review.
“There isn’t a place on earth that I’ve been to where I haven’t run into a fan of the show,” Chokachi says. “We were on a family holiday in the middle of nowhere in the heart of Ireland when a young kid came up to me asked me if I was Cody [his character name]. For many parts of the world, Baywatch was America; sunshine, bikini babes, swimmers and rescuers.
“The show’s got a new life on streaming and a new generation of fans – which is another reason I stay fit. I don’t need some kid coming up to me to ask, ‘What happened?’”
Nine seasons of Baywatch are currently streaming on Amazon Prime and all 11 seasons on Hulu.
