Still Here Hollywood

David Chokachi Returns "Baywatch" and Dog Rescues

Still Here Hollywood

Show Notes

David Chokachi returns to Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko for an inspiring conversation about purpose, perseverance and second chances.

The Baywatch star discusses returning to the franchise that made him famous, rescuing hundreds of dogs after the Los Angeles fires, working with Wings of Rescue, and why helping animals has become more rewarding than Hollywood itself.

He also shares behind-the-scenes stories from the new Baywatch series, explains how social media has changed casting, and reflects on aging, fitness and finding meaning beyond fame.

00:00 Preview

00:48 Why David Stayed During the LA Fires

03:34 Saving Hundreds of Rescue Dogs

08:32 Life Before Hollywood

10:03 Flying Rescue Missions Across America

15:21 The Heartbreaking Truth About Animal Shelters

18:03 Why Spaying and Neutering Matters

20:05 Celebrity Volunteers Saving Animals

25:13 Patreon

25:56 The Baywatch Reboot

29:55 Fighting His Way Back Onto Baywatch

33:24 When Baywatch Premieres

36:48 Returning Cast Members

39:45 Staying in Incredible Shape

42:21 What Happened to Cody Madison

46:58 Meeting His Wife

49:18 Social Media and Hollywood

52:10 Life Today

53:08 Pamela Anderson

53:31 What Aging Has Taught Him

57:30 Until Next Time

More from Still Here Hollywood

Oct 12, 2026

Before millions of Americans knew Denise Nicholas as Liz McIntyre on the groundbreaking television series Room 222, she was living through history.

Oct 5, 2026

Anson Williams became a television icon as Potsie Weber on Happy Days, but his Hollywood story goes far beyond Arnold’s Drive-In.

Sep 28, 2026

Linda Purl has spent more than five decades building an extraordinary career across television, film, Broadway and music. In this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Linda joins Steve Kmetko for a funny, candid and surprisingly personal conversation about Happy Days, Matlock, The Office, Andy Griffith, Garry Marshall, aging in Hollywood and the unexpected love story that brought her and Dallas star Patrick Duffy together. Linda reveals what The Office was really like behind the scenes, why Happy Days had only one bathroom for the cast and crew, and the remarkable story Andy Griffith told her about fighting for his role in A Face in the Crowd. She also opens up about reconnecting with Patrick Duffy during COVID, their nightly Zoom conversations and the moment he finally drove from Oregon to Colorado to see if their friendship could become something more. Plus, Linda talks about returning to the stage, her lifelong love of music, handling criticism, getting older without “giving up,” and how she and Patrick turned a 70-year-old family sourdough starter into Duffy's Dough and a mission to help fight food insecurity. It's Linda Purl, still working, still laughing, still singing and very much Still Here.

Sep 21, 2026

Elisa Donovan became forever recognizable as Amber, Cher Horowitz's fabulously overdressed rival in the 1995 classic Clueless. But behind one of the most memorable characters of the '90s is an actress, writer and mother whose life took turns she never could have imagined. Elisa joins Steve Kmetko for a candid conversation about landing Clueless, creating Amber from the mean girls she knew growing up, working with Alicia Silverstone, and the Clueless joke she didn't even understand when she delivered it. She also opens up about Brittany Murphy, sharing a hilarious memory from the Clueless set and revealing the troubling signs she says she witnessed the last time she saw Brittany before her death. Elisa talks about nearly landing the lead in Showgirls, climbing into bed with Jason Priestley on her first day of Beverly Hills, 90210, her frustration during Sabrina the Teenage Witch, losing her father to cancer, and the extraordinary dreams that changed the way she thinks about grief and death. Plus, Elisa explains why she believes Hollywood is losing the kinds of movies that once gave actors and storytellers room to take chances. This is Still Here Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko. Join us with today's guest, from Clueless, actor Elisa Donovan.

Sep 14, 2026

Emmy and Golden Globe winner Michael Chiklis joins Steve Kmetko for a remarkably candid conversation about The Shield, Fantastic Four, The Commish, Hollywood, artificial intelligence, reinvention, family, failure, and the future of the entertainment business.

See all episodes →