Still Here Hollywood

Baywatch icon Erika Eleniak joins Steve Kmetko on Still Here, Hollywood for a raw, honest conversation about fame, body image, and reinvention. Before she became one of the most recognizable faces of 90s television as lifeguard Shauni McClain on Baywatch, Erika stole hearts as the babysitter in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. In this episode, she opens up about being personally cast by Spielberg at age 12, the real story behind that iconic E.T. kiss scene, and what it was actually like filming Baywatch's famous slow-motion beach runs in freezing January water.

Erika also gets candid about her Playboy pictorial and the career obstacles it created, her decision to walk away from Baywatch after just two seasons, working alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey on Under Siege, her ongoing struggle with body image, and how becoming a single mother reshaped everything she thought she knew about resilience, fame, and what she wants next.

Whether you grew up watching Baywatch reruns or you're discovering Erika Eleniak's career for the first time, this episode is a candid, unfiltered look behind the red swimsuit and the Hollywood machine.

🔔 Subscribe to Still Here, Hollywood for more candid conversations with the stars who shaped pop culture. ❤️ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/stillherehollywood

#ErikaEleniak #Baywatch #StillHereHollywood

Chapters

00:00 – Intro 00:47 – Saturday Plans With Her Daughter 01:13 – The Meaning Behind Her Tattoos 02:05 – Getting Cast in E.T. by Steven Spielberg 03:25 – Crying Over the Kiss Scene 04:22 – The Improvised E.T. Kiss 04:56 – Not Knowing What E.T. Was About 06:00 – Growing Up in the San Fernando Valley 06:41 – Landing Baywatch 07:49 – The Camaraderie on the Baywatch Set 08:13 – Freezing Cold Beach Shoots 09:41 – The Truth About the Slow-Mo Run 10:36 – Handling Sudden Fame 13:07 – Feeling Boxed In After Baywatch 13:56 – Filming Under Siege 15:38 – Why She Left Baywatch After Two Seasons 16:44 – Passing the Torch to Pamela Anderson 17:41 – Why Baywatch Became a Global Phenomenon 19:06 – Her Proudest Roles: Beverly Hillbillies & The Opponent 20:02 – The Toughest Stretch of Her Career 22:29 – How She Ended Up in Playboy 24:25 – Playboy's Professional Fallout 25:40 – Being Labeled a Sex Symbol 28:38 – Body Image and Eating Disorders 31:04 – Teaching Acting in Rehab 33:33 – What Life Looks Like Now 36:27 – The Spark That Started Her Acting Career 37:41 – Her Superpower: Resilience 39:30 – The One Thing She'd Change 41:47 – A Pep Talk for Hollywood 42:45 – The Day She'd Relive 43:24 – Her Wildest Fan Encounter 44:13 – Advice for Young Actresses 46:59 – Did She Keep the Red Swimsuit? 47:19 – Outro

Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn


https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com
Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com


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From Forrest Gump to The Last Rodeo, actor, director, and musician Michael Tyrone "T" Williamson sits down with Steve Kmetko on Still Here Hollywood for a raw, soulful conversation about the role that changed his life. In this episode, T shares the real story behind landing the role of Bubba Blue opposite Tom Hanks, how he improvised some of the film's most iconic lines, the surprising reason he's never eaten at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and what it's really like working alongside Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Al Pacino, and Gary Sinise. He also opens up about his new Angel Studios film The Last Rodeo, his upcoming role in Dark Matter, his philosophy on faith, family, and staying true to yourself in Hollywood, and heartfelt stories about his daughters, his mother, and the journey from South Los Angeles to the big screen.

👍 Like, subscribe, and comment your favorite moment below!

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts and everywhere you get your podcasts.

💛 Support the show: patreon.com/StillHereHollywood

#MichaelTWilliamson #ForrestGump #BubbaGump #TomHanks #StillHereHollywood #HollywoodInterview #TheLastRodeo #DenzelWashington

 

YouTube Chapters

 

00:00 Intro: Bubba From Forrest Gump Joins the Show 01:08 Why You Can Call Him "T" 01:42 The Real Reason He's Never Eaten at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 04:05 Girlfriend the 1953 Chevy & Staying Grounded in Hollywood 06:00 The Forrest Gump Audition Story: No Callback to Landing the Role 10:18 Tom Hanks Kicking Him Under the Table 10:55 Meeting Tom & Rita Wilson at the Deauville Film Festival 13:25 What He Brought to Bubba That Wasn't on the Page 14:48 The Gary Sinise Line That Was Total Improv 15:33 Sally Field, Rehearsals & the Two Journeys of Every Character 16:44 Announcing New Film "The Last Rodeo" With Neil McDonough 18:27 Why Hollywood Should "Chase Hearts, Not Numbers" 19:30 Is He Happy? Life Philosophy & Southern Family Values 20:07 Getting Typecast After Forrest Gump 22:33 Actors He Admires & His Character Workshop for Students 27:08 How He Got Into Directing: Mentors Mike Jones & Miguel Velejas 30:08 Favorite Costars: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Al Pacino 31:45 Denzel Washington's Kindness & Interviewing Him Over the Years 32:03 The John David & Olivia Washington Story 34:41 Malcolm Washington's Directorial Debut, "The Piano Lesson" 35:34 Oscar Voting Rule Changes & Academy Membership Shift 36:35 The Last Rodeo Plot Explained: Bull Riders, Family & Redemption 39:59 What He Does for Fun & His Three Daughters 41:14 Why He Calls His Daughter "Coconut" 42:00 An Underrated Role: Truth or Consequences, New Mexico 43:21 Most Creatively Fulfilling Part of the Job 44:16 Backstage Truth About Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise 45:47 Upcoming Role in "Dark Matter" on Streaming 47:46 The Meaning Behind His Beaded Necklace 48:56 Training for Forrest Gump: Military Boot Camp With Dale Dye 50:25 The Funny Stunt Double Story That Kept Him in Shape 51:36 His Daily Workout & Recovery Routine 53:36 The Real Story Behind the Iconic Shrimp Monologue 59:07 How He Reworked the Script to Add Humanity 1:00:14 Marlon Brando Comparison & Working With Michael Mann/Jerry Bruckheimer on Heat and Con Air 1:01:34 Growing Up in South Los Angeles as an Air Force Kid 1:02:16 Why His Family Fled the South & Changed Their Name 1:03:49 Closing Thoughts & Where to Find More

Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn


https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com
Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com


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Heather Thomas became one of television's biggest stars as Jody Banks on The Fall Guy alongside Lee Majors. During the height of her fame, her posters covered bedroom walls around the world and she became one of the defining television icons of the 1980s.

But behind the scenes, fame came with a darker side.

In this candid conversation with Steve Kmetko, Heather opens up about the terrifying stalking incidents that ultimately pushed her away from Hollywood, her battle with substance abuse, working with Lee Majors, life as an 80s sex symbol, raising a family, activism, writing, and finding happiness beyond fame.

From The Fall Guy to the recent movie reboot, Heather shares stories and perspectives you've probably never heard before.

#HeatherThomas #TheFallGuy #LeeMajors #StillHereHollywood #SteveKmetko #ClassicTV #EightiesTV #HollywoodStories #TVLegends #JodyBanks

Chapter Markers

00:00 Intro

00:36 How Heather Thomas Got Started In Television

01:48 Landing The Fall Guy

03:37 UCLA And Breaking Into Hollywood

05:24 Why Heather Walked Away From Fame

06:18 The Terrifying Reality Of Stalkers

08:16 Raising Chickens And Family Life

10:06 Being Typecast As A Sex Symbol

11:48 Activism And Charity Work

12:29 Keeping In Touch With Lee Majors

12:50 Writing Novels And Screenplays

16:09 Doing Her Own Stunts

16:26 Substance Abuse And Rehab

17:32 Becoming An 80s Sex Symbol

19:03 Being Sexualized In Hollywood

20:00 How Hollywood Has Changed For Women

23:47 Why She Became An Activist

25:31 Working With Ted Lange

26:19 Advice For Today's Stars

27:20 The Fall Guy Movie Cameo

27:58 Her Romantic Paris Wedding

30:25 Did Her Looks Hurt Her Career?

31:20 Family, Grandchildren And Life Today

33:21 Finding Happiness

Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn


https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com
Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com


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Before becoming Cliff Clavin on Cheers, John Ratzenberger spent years traveling the world, building houses, performing improvised comedy across Europe, and chasing adventure wherever it led.

In this encore episode, John shares the remarkable story behind his famous Cheers audition, his friendships with Hollywood legends, his long-running relationship with Pixar, and why he believes young people should learn practical skills before pursuing fame.

It's a funny, thoughtful conversation filled with stories only John Ratzenberger could tell.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:52 A Lifetime of Travel and Adventure

04:26 Landing the Role of Cliff Clavin

06:28 Leaving Carpentry for England

07:21 Building an Improv Career in Europe

10:02 Learning to Act Without Training

12:53 Star Wars and Early Film Roles

14:27 Why Building Things Matters

16:48 First Impressions of Los Angeles

19:19 Being Recognized in Public

20:24 The Early Struggles of Cheers

22:56 Working with Hollywood Legends

24:12 Remembering Frances Sternhagen

28:07 The Famous Cheers Audition Story

35:39 Memories of Kirstie Alley

37:43 Inventing and Building Products

41:58 The Importance of Trade Skills

45:05 Advice for Young Actors

47:11 His Son's First Fish, A Shark

48:39 Family, Career and Success

50:18 Dancing With The Stars Challenge

53:34 Toy Story 5 and What's Next

57:38 His Hollywood Heroes

01:03:12 Faking a Foreign Language at an Audition

01:04:51 Leaving Cheers for the Last Time

01:06:05 Advice for Surviving Hollywood

01:08:42 A Frightening Fan Encounter

01:11:08 Final Thoughts

Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn


https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com
Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kristanna Loken became a global star when she landed the role of the T-X in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, but her story began far from Hollywood on an apple farm in upstate New York.

In this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Kristanna joins Steve Kmetko to discuss her unforgettable experience working alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, the intense physical transformation required for Terminator 3, and how the blockbuster changed her life forever.

She also opens up about growing up with actor and model parents, her journey from modeling to acting, coming out publicly as bisexual, raising her son away from screens, her concerns about AI in Hollywood, and why authenticity matters more now than ever.

Plus, Kristanna shares behind-the-scenes stories from Terminator 3, her friendship with Robert Patrick, advice from Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the surprising reason she still feels her best work is ahead of her.Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:38 Cubs Fan Origins

01:52 Growing Up on an Apple Farm

03:30 Modeling Misconceptions

04:04 First Acting Jobs

05:21 Landing Terminator 3

07:30 Training for the T-X

08:46 Working with Arnold Schwarzenegger

09:09 Arnold's Prediction for Her Career

10:45 How Fame Changed Her Life

12:06 Coming Out as Bisexual

16:49 What Terminator Means Today

18:11 Creating the T-X Character

19:51 AI and Hollywood

22:07 Female Action Stars Then vs. Now

23:40 Hollywood's Authenticity Problem

25:51 Raising Her Son Thor

29:00 A Screen-Free Household

31:04 Sci-Fi Fans and Comic Cons

31:39 Life on Love Apple Farm

34:22 Aging, Authenticity and Growth

36:31 Lessons Learned From Failure

38:04 Advice From Ben Kingsley and Bruce Dern

41:03 Why She Never Walked Away From Acting

42:33 Why Her Best Work Is Still Ahead

46:10 Women She Admires

50:12 The Role She Wanted But Didn't Get

52:01 What Kristanna Does For Fun

54:02 Closing Thoughts

Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn


https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com
Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.