Jeremy Jackson of “Baywatch” fame chatted about his latest endeavors outside of the entertainment industry.
“The important thing in life is not victory but combat; it is not to have vanquished but to have fought well,” said French educator and historian Pierre de Coubertin. Jeremy Jackson is such an individual.
Jackson is best known for his role as Hobie Buchannon, the son of Mitch Buchannon (David Hasselhoff) for the entire series run of the global TV hit show, “Baywatch”.
Presently, he is making a difference in people’s lives, especially by encouraging people in drug and alcohol detox centers and mental health facilities, by sharing his own personal experiences, motivating them, and giving them hope.
Playing Hobie in ‘Baywatch’
He was drawn to playing Hobie for several reasons. “What I loved most about playing Hobie was getting to do what I always wanted to do and was already doing,” he said. “I was a child of a single parent. I lived at the beach, I loved it, and I loved to surf, skateboard, and bodysurf.”
“I looked up to the lifeguards, being on the beach as a kid, and I really liked their lifestyle. I got to do that in front of the world, and that was cool. It was like showing up for my dream life every day, not a job,” he said.
Working with David Hasselhoff and David Chokachi
Jackson had positive words about working with his TV father David Hasselhoff, as well as his co-star, actor David Chokachi. “It was great working with them. David Hasselhoff was already my idol, especially watching Knight Rider as a kid, David was already on the cool list of the cool,” he said.
“David Chokachi, of course, is the perfect All-American, blonde-haired, ripped, guy’s guy, so that was really cemented in my perspective of what I can be when I grew up. He is still living the dream at the beach,” Jackson added.
On being an actor in the digital age, Jackson said, “Honestly, I don’t feel like an actor at all. I really stepped away from acting and any desire to be on the TV screen.”
Daily motivations
Regarding his daily motivations, he remarked, “The many people that I am useful and helpful to on a daily basis, as well as a daily practice of meditation, music and prayer that I start with every day. I don’t always wake up motivated, I wake up feeling a little tired, worried, rushed, anxious or frustrated.”
“I usually wake up with thoughts that aren’t perfect, but I play music and meditate and that changes my frequency because all we have is today. Tomorrow is a mystery, so today, I have an opportunity to get my frequency, my focus, and my purpose on track,” he said.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Jackson revealed, “Embracing the Mystery.” “I wake up every day, pack up and I go from one rehabilitation center to another: a drug and alcohol detox and a mental health facility. I drive around all of Southern California, and I provide fellowship, mentorship, love, and solution to people who are currently battling demons at their lowest place,” he said.
He continued, “I come in there, we rock and roll, we dance, we sing, we do meditations, we read literature, we go out to the beach and the park, we get in nature, and I create ‘a constructive disruption.’ I come in with good energy and love and new hope to people that are hopeless. I disrupt their current paradigm and current experiences of loneliness, hate, fear, regret, shame, and dirtiness.”
“I come in there telling them that they are going to be okay,” he said. “I tell them what I’ve done to change my life, and they can do it too. I’ve seen people going from broken pieces to masterpieces, and that’s the most rewarding and beautiful thing that one can ever experience… far beyond being on the No. 1 show, and far beyond having a lot of money and a Lamborghini. This is more authentic and fulfilling. It’s being wealthy vs. being rich,” he elaborated.
Career-defining moments
When asked about his career-defining moments, he responded, “I’ve had many beautiful experiences. One of them was working on the movie ‘The Bulkin Trail’ with David Hasselhoff and Sally Kirkland, it was a wonderful experience. Sally and I worked privately, and she helped coach me and mentor me during that movie, and it was powerful. Of course, getting the role on ‘Baywatch’ was a very big deal.”
“Also, my music career was a major pinnacle in my memory. As a kid dreamed of doing what Michael Jackson and what Elvis Presley was doing, and I achieved it, and it was incredible. As far as defining my career, I really cut it short. I was on a rocket trajectory, and I made some choices and decisions at a later point in my career that really derailed.
“I think I only got a sneak peek of what was truly in store for me even though I hit some huge achievements and success, being in ‘Baywatch,’ the No. 1 TV show in the world, and having Top 10 hits overseas, and some incredible things most people will never do. I robbed myself of those around 18 years old,” he added.
Success
“Success is being useful and effective in my own life,” he said. “Then, I was able to become useful and effective in my immediate family. After I was able to successfully be useful and effective in my immediate family, I started to be useful and effective in my community outside of my family.”
“Now, I might just impact my city. Once I can impact my city, I can impact my state and my country, and maybe even the world at large. Who knows how far that can go,” he added.
For his fans and supporters, Jackson concluded, “They haven’t seen anything yet. The best is yet to come. Keep trudging this road with me and wait for what is coming. Be excited.”
To learn more about Jeremy Jackson, follow him on Instagram.
