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Women.com presents

David Hasselhoff
Chat about "One True Love" and "Jekyll & Hyde"

October 23, 2000

Actor David Hasselhoff, former star and producer of the hugely popular "Baywatch" series, chats about his new made-for-TV movie, "One True Love," and Broadway musical, "Jekyll & Hyde."

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Women.com: Hello, and welcome to our chat with actor, producer, singer, (and hunk) David Hasselhoff. He's here to talk about his new made-for-TV movie, "One True Love," and Broadway musical, "Jekyll & Hyde." We welcome you, David.

David: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here; regards from Broadway.

Tiny Dancer: Tell us about your new movie, "One True Love."

David: I'm happy to say I have gone back a little bit--back to my soap opera days with a very romantic love story that is quite similar to a couple of movies that I am sure people would know, "An Affair to Remember" and "Sleepless in Seattle." It is based on a true story about a fireman who rescues a woman in a tragic accident. During the rescue, there is a spiritual connection between the two. Both were involved in other relationships, but somehow felt that God had brought them together and they never gave up on the search for each other. Eventually, they find each other, and the couple is together. I met the real people, and their story was quite moving.

Alesha: How did you meet your wife? Was it fate and love at first sight?

David: I met my wife on "Knight Rider." I would actually like to say hello to her. She is online now. And to my two beautiful girls, "Hi! Daddy is in New York, and missing you all terribly." I met my wife on the set of "Knight Rider," and it was destiny. Two years later, I met her again. We had both come out of relationships, and we happened to be free and available at a chance meeting at a restaurant in Los Angeles 11 years ago. We are still taking our marriage and our life as lovers and parents very seriously and passionately, I am happy to say.

Thomas: Can you describe playing Jekyll and Hyde? It looks like you're getting a chance to stretch on this one.

David: Talk about a stretch on this one. Wow! It is the hardest undertaking I have ever done. It's the most challenging and the most rewarding. It has been physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting, but taking this role is about following a dream of an eight-year-old boy. My one ambition was to go to Broadway, and I never gave up on that dream. Last Tuesday night, it came true, and what a night it was. It was terrifying and emotional, and I don't think I've stopped smiling since. The official opening is October 31st, Halloween, but I began basic previews last week. But as far as I am concerned, I have already opened, because when you walk out on that stage, it is you and the energy, and the belief of your friends, family and God that carries you through.

Audiemarks: A musical on Broadway takes a lot of work in areas you might have been unfamiliar with. Did you know how to sing? Can you dance?

David: No. My wife is the dancer, but I certainly know how to sing. I started training for musicals since I was a boy. Getting in shape for this role, which is incredibly demanding, vocally, has been a lot of hard work, but I'm nailing it. I'm even kind of, at times, blowing my own mind, because I am even able to talk right now. I am studying with the biggest opera coach in New York. So far, the big talk from the people who have seen this show is, "Wow! What a great voice!" And it does not come without very hard work.

Night Shade7: After all the recent success on TV, why the move to a play?

David: I'd felt I had accomplished everything I could on "Baywatch," and I always knew I would end up on Broadway. And as the song on the show "This is the moment" from the play says, "This is my moment in life."

Sue: Were you afraid of being typecast after the phenomenal international success of "Baywatch?"

David: No. No, I've managed to have a long career from the "Young and the Restless," to "Knight Rider," to "Baywatch," but I always knew my real calling. The talent that I was blessed with was really for the theater.

Angela Ann: What was your favorite part of playing the part in "One True Love?"

David: My favorite part was working with Cameron Finley, a very good friend, who I actually adopted and became a foster parent to on several episodes of "Baywatch." And also, working with Terry Farrell, who I found to be a lot of fun.

Carol Heath: Does making movies and plays take time away from your family, or do you still make time for them?

David: My family is currently preparing to move here. I came up alone so I could really concentrate on singing classes and rehearsal for this enormous undertaking. However, after two weeks, I was calling home saying, "Get up here! I cannot do this without you!" So my wife and children and my little dog are coming to live with me next week.

Hefty Momma: What was your most challenging role up to this point?

David: My most challenging role was when I played the character of Jack in a motion picture that is not released, but should be on soon on HBO called "Layover." It was a Hitchcockian-type, edge-of-your-seat thriller, and a very different character for me.

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