‘Baywatch’ beauty Erika Eleniak on pace for $1 million OnlyFans payday decades after iconic TV role
"Baywatch" bombshell Erika Eleniak is riding a whole new wave — and cashing in.
The actress, who famously patrolled the beaches of Southern California in the hit '90s series, has raked in nearly $300,000 in just three months on OnlyFans — putting her on pace to make roughly $1 million during her first year on the subscription platform, TMZ reported.
Eleniak played lifeguard Shauni McClain on "Baywatch" from 1989 to 1992, becoming one of the show's original stars.
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"When I first thought about joining OnlyFans, I honestly believed I was going to hate it," Eleniak told Fox News Digital. "But I have to tell you, I absolutely love it. It has given me this incredible opportunity to reconnect with so many wonderful people who have followed my career since the 1980s, from 'E.T.' to 'Baywatch,' my Playboy days, 'The Beverly Hillbillies,' and everything in between."
"I never imagined that joining OnlyFans would have such an emotional impact on me," she admitted. "For the first time in my life, I genuinely feel loved, appreciated and empowered in a way I never have before. It's an extraordinary feeling, and I honestly can't believe how much happiness it's brought into my life."
"I'm embracing this new chapter with open arms, and I feel more confident, more connected and more excited about the future than I have in years," Eleniak added.
According to TMZ, Eleniak is making "far more" than the $10,000 per week she was reportedly earning shortly after launching her profile in August. The outlet previously reported that Eleniak had more than 1,100 subscribers.
"What has touched me the most is realizing just how many people have stayed with me throughout all these years," Eleniak told Fox News Digital. "Some have been there since the very beginning, and now we're reconnecting in such a personal and meaningful way. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to every single one of them. They're the reason I've had the career I've had, and they've given me so much love and support throughout my life."
OnlyFans allows creators, including celebrities, athletes and sex workers, to charge subscribers directly for content. The platform has attracted hundreds of millions of users and generated billions of dollars in annual transactions, according to company financial figures.
Eleniak said she initially joined OnlyFans because she thought it would be a fun way to connect with fans. She previously told Fox News Digital that she sometimes felt insecure while filming "Baywatch" in a swimsuit, but said she now feels more comfortable in her own skin.
"Well, that didn't change," she said. "When you're working in a costume that's basically a bathing suit, and you're running and doing action and all kinds of things, it's not the most comfortable uniform on the planet. So I don't think that would change for me today. But I am 57 years old. I am comfortable in my body and in my skin. I love where I'm at right now. So I suppose that's changed."
Eleniak describes her content as "personal, playful and unfiltered." She also isn't afraid to dip her toes into some unusual requests.
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"There are a lot of people who like feet," she said with a smile. "Usually, when you get a request for something with feet, it can be a little funny. It can be a little odd, but to each their own. But I really was surprised feet was very popular."
Eleniak said she has faced little backlash since joining OnlyFans.
"I've been pleasantly surprised," she explained. "I've had a really warm welcome, and a lot of cheering on from people just saying, 'Go get it, have fun.' And there's always going to be naysayers. Whether it's OnlyFans or some other job I've done, there's always somebody who wants to say something mean. You know, trolls. I just ignore it, honestly."
"I think the stigma around joining OnlyFans has changed," she said. "It's continuing to evolve. It's sort of like a modern-day fan club where you get to be directly with your fans. The content is right there. And especially as women in the entertainment industry, you want to have control over your own image. It's so important. It made total sense for me to join. And I think it's timely for people who want to take control of their own created image and content online."
Eleniak said she's comfortable embracing her sexy side while maintaining control over the content she shares.
"To me, sexy means being confident in your skin, being confident in who you are, as opposed to just the aesthetics of what you look like," she said. "I think sexiness comes from inside and feeling good in your skin. Back in 'Baywatch,' I was so young, and you're just figuring things out in your 20s. But now that I'm in my 50s, I feel like I've got it figured out. I feel sexy and confident in ways that make me feel empowered. I'm having fun and calling the shots."
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"I'm flirty, but I keep it classy and spicy," she said with a laugh.
As Eleniak continues to find success on OnlyFans, she's hoping to make a splash on "Baywatch" once again — decades after hanging up her iconic red swimsuit.
She is set to reprise the role in a guest appearance on Fox's upcoming "Baywatch" reboot, which is scheduled to premiere Jan. 6, 2027.
"I am very excited to be a part of the reboot," she said. "I think it's going to be amazing. I'm definitely hoping they will get picked up for another season and bring me back for a more regular role. I would love that. Looking back, the show was just magic. It was an escape for everybody, no matter where you lived in the world. It's still magic."
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For Eleniak, a "Baywatch" comeback would be more than a nostalgic return to the beach — it would mark another opportunity to embrace life on her own terms.
"I’m back, and this time, I’m doing it for me," she said.