‘Baywatch’ Star Erika Eleniak’s (57) OnlyFans Gamble Is Reportedly Paying Off Big, and a Fox Reboot Return Is Next

Few television images defined the early 1990s like a red swimsuit running down a California beach. Erika Eleniak was part of that moment, playing lifeguard Shauni McClain in ‘Baywatch‘ from 1989 to 1992 across 45 episodes, alongside David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson and Yasmine Bleeth. She had also been in ‘E.T.’ before landing the role that made her a household name.

More than three decades later, the actress is back in the headlines for a very different reason. Eleniak announced in August that she had joined OnlyFans at age 56, framing the move on Instagram as embracing exactly who she is today. The timing was notable, since she is also preparing to return to the franchise that launched her career.

Now the numbers are in, at least as reported. According to TMZ, Eleniak has earned nearly $300,000 on OnlyFans in roughly three months, and her first-year total could approach $1 million. Those figures come from sources close to the actress and have not been independently verified.

Eleniak launched the account on August 10, promising personal photos and videos, beach content and the barefoot images fans had repeatedly requested. By August 28, TMZ reported that she was making about $10,000 a week from more than 1,100 subscribers. TMZ’s source also said her page started with foot-focused content before moving toward bolder material.

Eleniak has not released figures herself, and the reports do not say whether the amounts come before or after OnlyFans’ cut. The million-dollar mark is a projection rather than money already earned. In an interview with Fox News Digital, she admitted she initially doubted how well the venture would go.

Context helps explain why the reported earnings are turning heads. OnlyFans’ audited accounts for the year to November 2025 show fans spent $7.84 billion on the platform, with creators receiving about $6.29 billion after the company’s 20% fee. The platform counted 5.06 million creator accounts, though only about 2.5 million were active, which put the average active creator nearer $2,500.

By that yardstick, Eleniak’s reported haul is roughly 240 times what the average creator account received in a year. It still trails the biggest celebrity launches, since Bella Thorne reportedly made $1 million in her first 24 hours in 2020. OnlyFans says more than 5,000 creators have topped $1 million since the site launched.

Eleniak is not the only familiar face to try the platform. ‘Battlestar Galactica’ star Tricia Helfer joined OnlyFans at 52 and has described her page as largely built around behind-the-scenes chat and personal connection. The Daily Caller described such moves as part of a fast-growing trend, and reaction online has been mixed.

The red swimsuits are BACK, the rescues are bigger, and the beach is calling! #Baywatch returns with a new generation of lifeguards, high-stakes rescues, drama and romance. Starring Stephen Amell, Shay Mitchell, Hassie Harrison and Noah Beck. JANUARY 6, 2027 on Prime Video https://t.co/vNfudwSjKO

— Screenofindia (@Screenofindia) October 27, 2026

Some commenters questioned the math behind the million-dollar headline, while others noted that $300,000 over three months could top $1 million over a year if the pace holds. Just Jared previously ranked her as the lowest of the 20 wealthiest ‘Baywatch’ castmates, with a reported net worth of about $1 million, which adds context to the financial stakes.

Eleniak’s OnlyFans success arrives as she heads back to the beach. She is set to reprise Shauni in Fox’s ‘Baywatch’ reboot, which is expected to premiere in late January and feature Brooks Nader, Stephen Amell and Livvy Dunne. Her character is reportedly now a Santa Monica city councilwoman who returns to help launch the annual Beach Games between ‘Baywatch’ and the Coast Guard.

That pairing, a nostalgic network comeback alongside a subscription platform, shows how former TV stars are finding new ways to reach their audiences. Whether her earnings reach seven figures remains to be seen, but the early reports suggest the experiment has found an audience.

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