Baywatch Stars Krista Allen Pamela Anderson Marliece Andrada Michael Bergin Traci Bingham Yasmine Bleeth Angelica Bridges Jason Brooks Charlie Brumbly Brooke Burns Brandon Call David Charvet David Chokachi Donna D'Errico Nicole Eggert Carmen Electra Erika Eleniak Holly Gagnier David Hasselhoff Jeremy Jackson Richard Jaeckel Stacy Kamano Mitzi Kapture Brandy Ledford Simmone MacKinnon Monte Markham Tom McTigue Jason Momoa Michael Newman John Allen Nelson Gena Lee Nolin Kelly Packard Alexandra Paul Peter Phelps Alicia Rickter Brande Roderick Jaason Simmons Kelly Slater Jose Solano Parker Stevenson Nancy Valen Billy Warlock Shawn Weatherly Gregory Alan Williams recurring cast   view the list

Carmen Electra was born Tara Leigh Patrick on April 20, 1972 in Cincinatti, Ohio. Tara lived in White Oaks, Ohio with her parents. With a strong background from a musical family, Tara always knew that she wanted a singing and dancing career. She started dance lessons since she was 5 years old. At 9, Tara was chosen for the 'School for Creative and Performing Arts.' She took singing lessons in her teens, and displayed further talent by choreographing and performing in musicals for the school's theatrical troupe.

She began doing 'Rap' and said that her goal was to go to Los Angeles and get a record deal. To start working on that goal, in 1987, at 15, Tara moved to Minneapolis where her half-sister lived. To earn money, she modeled for 'Target' department stores. She also worked for, as she later described in 1997 to comedian 'Sinbad,' the talk show host of 'VIBE,' 'this sleazy carnival 'with a fake Magician.' Besides singing and dancing there, she worked his assistant. She later admitted that she disliked the job. She saved all of the money she earned so that she could go to Los Angeles against the wishes of her parents. They had feared that something terrible would happen to her in such a big city.

With enough saved, in 1991, Tara moved to Los Angeles California, and in less than a week managed to meet 'Prince' (he was known as then. He is now known as 'The Artist'). Prince later gave her the name Carmen Electra. A week had passed and Carmen went to a club called 'Spice.' She joined a 'Rap' all-girl band that 'Prince' was producing after being approached and propositioned because she had the look that they wanted. They went to 'Prince's' house in LA. She then auditioned for him around 2 a.m. He played the piano and she sang 'Do Re Mi' from the movie, 'The Sound of Music,' and danced. When he didn't show any expression, the experience made her think that she wasn't good enough and about taking more classes to improve. So, two months later when she was contacted, Carmen got in touch with 'Prince's' bodyguard. She had recorded some demos on her own and wanted 'Prince' to give her some advice. He did get in contact with her around 4 a.m. and told her that he had written a song for her called 'Carmen on Top,' and could sing it provided she liked it. Carmen loved the song, and went on to Minneapolis to record it. She then lived in Minneapolis for two and a half years.

In 1992, she signed on to his 'Paisley Park Record' label. He took her under his wing and showed her the ropes. Her first album coincided with her opening slot on the European leg of 'Prince's' 'Diamond and Pearls Tour.' Carmen was promoted with ads in 'Rolling Stone Magazine,' and on 'MTV.' Despite the huge publicity campaign, the magic just wasn't there. She couldn't connect on a large scale with the public. The video for the single, 'Go-Go Dancer' was shot in March 1992. It received very little airtime on 'MTV,' and only 'Small Video Network' played the song. A 12" single of 'Go-Go Dancer' hit the stores in June. It didn't sell very well. Her album was finished, and promo advanced cassette copies and bios were sent out to members of the press for their review.

Everyone has his or her day in the spotlight, and it wasn't the right time for Carmen to have stardom. The album was delayed and Warner Bros.' top executive, Benny Medina decided that it needed additional tracks and remixing before it's release. Medina had seen Carmen on the 'Diamonds and Pearls Tour' shows, and hadn't liked what he had seen. He later approached 'Prince' about his concerns. He had doubts about Carmen's qualities. When the album 'Carmen Electra' was released, it didn't meet up to expectations.

Carmen dropped out of the public's view during 1993-1995. In 1995, Carmen appeared on the 'Nickelodeon' show 'All That.' Carmen got breast enhancement surgery, as had others who had been in the 'Baywatch' cast over the years, and posed for 'Playboy' in May 1996. She appeared in the Playboy video, 'Playboy Cheerleaders.' In the video, she sings '2-4-6-8.' Carmen co-hosted 'MTV's' 'Loveline,' and occasionally appeared as a dancer at 'Prince's' 'Glam Slam' clubs.

Carmen's big break came on October 4, 1996, when 'MTV's' senior Vice-President, Lisa Berger announced that Carmen would replace Jenny McCarthy as Chris Hardwick's co-host on 'Singled Out.' Carmen joined Jenny on the show for one week in February. Jenny was leaving the show as she had landed her own series on 'MTV.'

Carmen had a recurring role on the syndicated television series, 'Baywatch Nights,' and was a lead dancer in 'Saturday Night Special.' In 1997 Carmen had signed a five-year contract to join the cast of 'Baywatch' for its 8th season. Pamela Lee, who had appeared 'Baywatch' for five years as C.J. Parker, was forced to leave because of legal problems, not because she wanted to as most people believe. Yasmine Bleeth, who portrayed Caroline Holden had signed on only to appear in 5 guest appearances. She too was leaving, and both were overwhelming favorites with the show's fans. Carmen was joining a few other new actors as regular cast members (Michael Bergin, Kelly Packard, Marliece Andrada, and Angelica Bridges). At the time she was currently doing both 'Baywatch' and 'Singled Out.' Carmen has her own comic book called 'Embrace.' She also had her second album entitled 'Carmen Electra II' which came out in the winter of 1997.

Carmen has had a very busy schedule in 1997, as she has appeared in the Summer issue of 'Maxim' magazine in a small article about fruit, and then on the cover of the 1997 September/October issue of 'Maxim' magazine for an interview. She also appeared on the cover and was featured in an interview for the 2nd anniversary issue of 'Smoke' (Winter). Carmen is honest, open, and always gives a great interview. Carmen made 'Maxim's' 1998 calendar, a pullout feature in the November/December issue among very distinguished company. In the November/December issue, which had cast-mate Gena Lee Nolin on the cover, the magazine featured an article with the other 'Baywatch' women.

Carmen is featured on the cover of 'Porthole' travel Magazine with other cast-mates (David Hasselhoff, Gena Lee Nolin, Jeremy Jackson, David Chokachi, and Donna D'Errico). The issue centers on the 2-part wedding episode set in Alaska. Carmen has her own 1998 calendar available. Other credits include 'Conan O'Brien,' a guest appearance as her own 'Baywatch' character Lani McKenzie on 'Pacific Blue,' a cop show endorsing an attractive cast with form fitting uniforms. She has also been a 'Cable Ace' presenter, and was featured in 'People' magazine.

Carmen has appeared in the 1998 issue of TV Guide article covering the Baywatch Wedding. She also appeared on 1998 June cover of 'Inside Sports' magazine. Kelly Packard is also on the inside portion of the folding cover, which does not show. Carmen and Kelly model swimwear. David Hasselhoff's wife Pamela Bach also models swimwear in the issue.

Carmen will not be returning to Baywatch in its 9th season. The executive Producers all agreed that they would return to the athletic format of 7 or 8 core cast members that it had before its 7th season. Carmen, Donna D'Errico, Traci Bingham, Marliece Andrada and Angelica Bridges are among those fired. Gena Lee Nolin, who escaped getting the 'pink slip,' later decided that she would not return to the show in favor of pursuing other projects. Jennifer Lynn Campbell will replace Gena as Neely. The new cast members for the 9th season are Brooke Burns ('Ali McBeal'/Fox), and Mitzi Kapture ('Silk Stalkings'/USA).

Carmen has worked out a deal for a sitcom at the WB. It will be based on her life and a Father/daughter relationship. If the comedy show does not work out, the WB is prepared to place Carmen in a drama series.