Erika Maya Eleniak was born on September 29, 1969, in Glendale, California. She is an American-Canadian actress, model, and former Playboy Playmate known for her roles in television and film.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Eleniak was born into a family of five children, being the eldest of four girls and one boy. Her father, Dale Alan Eleniak, is of Ukrainian descent, while her mother, Iris Maya (Neggo) Arnold, has Estonian and German roots. Eleniak’s acting career began at a young age. At just 10 years old, she started appearing in various television productions, films, commercials, and theater performances. Her first notable film role came in 1982 when she appeared in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” as the girl kissed by Elliott in the classroom scene.
Rise to Fame
Eleniak’s career took a significant turn when she posed for Playboy magazine in July 1989. That same year, she landed a recurring role on the TV series “Charles in Charge” as Charles’s girlfriend, Stephanie Curtis2.Her breakthrough came when she was cast as Shauni McClain in the popular television series “Baywatch.” Eleniak was part of the original cast and remained with the show for its first two seasons (1989-1992). Her role on “Baywatch” catapulted her to international fame.
Film Career
After leaving “Baywatch,” Eleniak focused on her film career. Some of her notable movie appearances include:
- “Under Siege” (1992), where she played a Playboy Playmate
- “The Beverly Hillbillies” (1993), starring as Elly May Clampett
- “Chasers” (1994), directed by Dennis Hopper
- “A Pyromaniac’s Love Story” (1995)
- “Bordello of Blood” (1996)
She also appeared in several independent films and cable movies throughout her career1.
Personal Life
Eleniak has been open about her personal struggles. In her youth, she battled with drug and alcohol addiction, eventually joining Alcoholics Anonymous in 1988.She has also dealt with weight issues, experiencing both being underweight due to an eating disorder and later becoming overweight. In 2006, she participated in the fourth season of VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club”. Eleniak was briefly married to Philip Goglia from 1998 to 1999. Later, she entered a relationship with Roch Daigle, whom she met while filming in Calgary. The couple has a daughter, Indyanna, born in January 2006.
Later Career and Current Endeavors
In recent years, Eleniak has continued to act in various projects, including guest roles on TV shows like “CSI: Miami” and “Desperate Housewives.” She has also ventured into writing and producing.Eleniak has worked as an acting coach and has been involved in using acting as a form of therapy for children dealing with substance abuse and behavioral issues. She is also passionate about her role as a mother and has recently co-produced and hosted a podcast called “The Spiritual Alchemy Podcast with Erika”.Throughout her career, Erika Eleniak has demonstrated versatility as an actress and resilience in overcoming personal challenges, maintaining her presence in the entertainment industry for several decades.
Recent Photos
