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“Baywatch” bombshell Erika Eleniak is riding a whole new wave — and enjoying it.
The actress, who patrolled the beaches of Southern California in the hit ’90s series, raked in nearly $300,000 in just three months on OnlyFans, earning her about $1 million in 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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Erika Eleniak appears in “Baywatch: Nightmare Bay”, a 1991 television film directed by Gregory J. Bonann. (Alamy Stock Photo)
“When I first thought about joining OnlyFans, I honestly thought I was going to hate it,” Eleniak told Fox News Digital. “But I have to tell you, I love it. It’s given me this incredible opportunity to reconnect with so many wonderful people who have followed my career since the 1980s, from ‘ET’ to ‘Baywatch,’ my Playboy years, ‘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 feel truly loved, appreciated and empowered like never before. It’s an amazing feeling, and I honestly can’t believe how much happiness it has brought to my life.”
Brandy Ledford (left) and Erika Eleniak (right) attend the premiere of the ABC News Studios documentary series “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun” at The Bungalow on August 26, 2024, in Santa Monica, California. (Getty Images)
“I am entering this new chapter with open arms and feeling more confident, more connected and more excited about the future than I have in years,” added Eleniak.
According to TMZ, Eleniak earns “much more” than the $10,000 per week she reportedly made shortly after launching her profile in August. The outlet previously reported that Eleniak had more than 1,100 followers.
“What touched me the most was realizing how many people have stayed with me throughout the years,” Eleniak told Fox News Digital. “Some have been there from the very beginning, and now we’re reconnecting in such a personal and meaningful way. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for each and every 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.”
Erika Eleniak and Billy Warlock appear in a scene from the 1991 TV movie “Baywatch: Nightmare Bay.” (Alamy Stock Photo)
OnlyFans allows creators, including celebrities, athletes, and sex workers, to charge their subscribers directly for their content. The platform has attracted hundreds of millions of users and generated billions of dollars in annual transactions, according to the company’s financial figures.
Erika Eleniak launched an OnlyFans account in August 2026. (Beverly Hills News Agency/Courtesy of Erika Eleniak)
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 unsafe while filming “Baywatch” in a swimsuit, but said she now feels more comfortable in her own skin.
“Well, that hasn’t changed,” she said. “When you’re working in a suit that’s basically a swimsuit, and you’re running around and doing action and all kinds of stuff, it’s not the most comfortable uniform on the planet. So I don’t think that would change for me today. But I’m 57 years old. I’m comfortable in my body and in my skin. I like where I am right now. So I guess that has changed.”
TMZ reported that Erika Eleniak raised nearly $300,000 in just three months, (Beverly Hills News Agency/Courtesy of Erika Eleniak)
Eleniak describes her content as “personal, playful and unfiltered.” She’s also not afraid to take on some unusual requests.
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Erika Eleniak told Fox News Digital that her most popular request on OnlyFans was for feet. (Beverly Hills News Agency/Courtesy of Erika Eleniak)
“There are a lot of people who love feet,” she says, smiling. “Usually when you get a request for something with feet, it can be a little funny. It can be a little strange, but to each their own. But I was really surprised that the feet were very popular.”
Eleniak said she has faced little backlash since joining OnlyFans.
Actress Erika Eleniak attends the premiere of “Love Stinks” on August 11, 1999 at the Mann Festival Theater in Westwood, California. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
“I was pleasantly surprised,” she explained. “I got a really warm welcome and a lot of encouragement from people just saying, ‘Go get it, have fun.’ And there will always be naysayers. Whether it’s OnlyFans or another job I’ve done, there’s always someone who wants to say something mean. You know, trolls. Honestly, I don’t know.”
Erika Eleniak told Fox News Digital that taking control of her image in Hollywood has been a rewarding experience. (Beverly Hills News Agency/Courtesy of Erika Eleniak)
“I think the stigma around joining OnlyFans has changed,” she said. “It continues to evolve. It’s kind of like a modern day fan club where you can be directly with your fans. The content is right there. And especially as women in the entertainment industry, you want to be in control of your own image. It’s so important. It made perfect sense for me to join. And I think it’s a time for people who want to take control of their own image and content online.”
Eleniak said she’s comfortable embracing her sexiness while maintaining control over the content she shares.
Jim Varney, Erika Eleniak, Cloris Leachman and Diedrich Bader pose in costume for the 1993 comedy “The Beverly Hillbillies” in Los Angeles, circa 1993. (Getty Images)
“To me, being sexy means being confident in your skin, being confident in who you are, as opposed to the aesthetic of what you look like,” she said. “I think sexiness comes from within and being comfortable in your own skin. In ‘Baywatch,’ I was so young and you were just starting to figure things out at 20. But now that I’m in my 50s, I feel like I’ve figured it out. I feel sexy and confident in a way that makes me feel empowered. I’m having fun and taking charge.”
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Steven Seagal and Erika Eleniak in a scene from the 1992 film “Under Siege.” (© Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Collection)
“I’m attractive, but I keep it classy and spicy,” she said with a laugh.
As Eleniak continues to find success on OnlyFans, she hopes to make a splash once again on “Baywatch” — decades after hanging up her iconic red swimsuit.
Erika Eleniak can’t wait for the ‘Baywatch’ reboot to air. (Disney)
She is expected to reprise the role in an appearance in Fox’s upcoming “Baywatch” reboot, which is scheduled to premiere January 6, 2027.
Erika Eleniak is seen on the set of “Baywatch” in Santa Monica on April 16, 2026. (GC Images)
“I’m very excited to be a part of the reboot,” she said. “I think it’s going to be amazing. I really hope they 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 magical. It was an escape for everyone, no matter where you live in the world. It’s still magical.”
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Erika Eleniak attends the Brave & Rescued Awards at the LA City Fire Museum in Hollywood on January 17, 2026. (Getty Images)
For Eleniak, a “Baywatch” return would be more than a nostalgic return to the beach — it would mark another opportunity to embrace life on her own terms.
Erika Eleniak attends the premiere of the ABC News Studios documentary series “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun” at The Bungalow on August 26, 2024, in Santa Monica. (Variety via Getty Images)
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“I’m back, and this time I’m doing it for me,” she said.
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