American actor, singer, producer, television personality, and businessman who set a Guinness World Record as the most watched man on television. A tall, handsome, macho “hunk”, he is nicknamed “The Hoff”.
Hasselhoff had a long apprenticeship in daytime TV before starring in several top series. While studying acting and waiting tables, he was spotted by a casting director who put him in guest shots in Police Story and The Love Boat, leading to a steady role in The Young and the Restless from 1975-1982. His big break was as a crime-fighter in Knight Rider (1982-1986) co-starring with an electronically sophisticated automobile. He then starred as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in Baywatch (1989–2000). He also produced Baywatch from the 1990s until 2001 when the series ended with Baywatch Hawaii.
Hasselhoff has appeared in films, including Dodgeball (2004), The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004), Click (2006), and Hop (2011). Before Samuel L. Jackson, Hasselhoff was the first actor to portray the Marvel Comics character Nick Fury in the telefilm Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1998). In 2000, he made his Broadway debut in the musical Jekyll & Hyde. Following his debut, he starred in other musicals including Chicago and The Producers.
In 1989, Hasselhoff released the studio album Looking for Freedom which went to triple platinum in Europe, and its lead single went to number one in Germany and Switzerland. Hasselhoff has also worked as a talent show judge on television shows such as America’s Got Talent (2006–2009) and Britain’s Got Talent (2011).
On 5 June 2004, Hasselhoff was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. On 28 October 2004, his attorney entered a no-contest plea on the actor’s behalf. He was given three years probation, ordered to perform 200 hours of community service, and complete a treatment program. In May 2009, Hasselhoff’s attorney described Hasselhoff as “a recovering alcoholic”.
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