David Hasselhoff Biography

Fast Facts

• Notated as being 'The Most Watched Television Star in the World' by the Guinness Book of World Records
• Born in Baltimore, he moved several times throughout his childhood before graduating high school in La Grange, Illinois
• Quote: "I think God has a sense of humor because [the studio executives] wanted me to change [my name]․ ․․․ I was going to change it one time to David Michaels, but then I found out there was already a David Michaels․ I took so much heat for the name Hasselhoff growing up, I'm gonna keep this name because I was proud of my parents․ It's kind of pathetic because Hasselhoff has turned into The Hoff and The Hoff is keeping Hasselhoff out of work but The Hoff's paying the bills so I welcome The Hoff․"
• After starring in "The Young and the Restless" at the beginning of his career, he would go on to land one of his most seminal roles to date with his second series debut, "Knight Rider" in 1982
• After years of television success on both "Knight Rider" and "Baywatch", he would go on to enjoy mild success as a singer in the 1990s, mostly gaining traction amongst German-based fans
• Named 1989's 'Most Popular and Best Selling Artist of the Year' in Germany and invited to perform on New Year's Eve on the Berlin Wall