Erika Eleniak is an actress and model, most known for her role in the TV series "Baywatch" and posing in Playboy magazine. She was born September 29, 1969 in Glendale, California. Her father has Ukrainian decent, though he was born in Canada, and her mother is part Estonian and German. Erika Eleniak has three younger sisters and one younger brother. Her parents divorced while she was still young. Even though Eleniak's father was an aspiring actor, it was one of his girlfriend's that introduced Erika Eleniak to the industry. The woman got a part for Eleniak modeling children's clothes for TV commercials.

Eleniak's first role in a major production was in 1982 in the film "E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial". However, her part was small (she was the girl that Elliot kissed). During her teen years, Eleniak began to use drugs. She finally curtailed the problem in 1988 after being introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous. In 1989, Eleniak posed for Playboy magazine because she hoped it would boost her career. After being on two covers, Eleniak became the centerfold model in July 1989. Shortly after, Eleniak got the role that would gain her popularity. She was cast as Shauni McClain in "Baywatch". For three years, Eleniak played this role until Pamela Anderson replaced her. After this, Erika Eleniak began to more actively pursue her film career and appeared in several movies, though most of them were smaller, independent productions of moderate success.

Eleniak also appeared on the reality TV show "The Real Gilligan's Island" in 2005. Later, after being hospitalized for an eating disorder, she appeared on VH1's reality series "Celebrity Fit Club". In 1998, Eleniak married Philip Goglia but they soon divorced. In 2006, Eleniak gave birth to a daughter from her relationship with Roch Daigle.