Jermey Jackson: From portraying Hobie Buchanon on Baywatch to a troubled teen trying to escape the child star curse

Jeremy Jackson portrayed Hobie Buchanon on Baywatch

Jeremy Jackson was a child star whose future seemed bright but his life took several unexpected twists and turns. One might say that he was a victim of the alleged "Child Star Curse."

He was born Jeremy Dunn Jackson on October 16, 1980, in New Port Beach, California. He is also a singer and best known for portraying Hobie Buchannon on the television show Baywatch from 1991 to 1999 (seasons 2-10).

Jackson had more screen time than any other Baywatch cast member besides David Hasselhoff who portrayed his television dad Mitch Buchannon on the NBC series. Hobie and Jeremy were both beloved by fans and it looked as if this talented young boy had a bright future ahead of him.

Jackson's career takes off

It was Hasselhoff who introduced his television son to music and Jackson was later signed to Edel Records by Peter Lopez. He produced two albums Number One in 1994 and Always in 1995 and has performed in clubs from London to Las Vegas. Jackson's additional credits include the NBC soap Santa Barbera, Shout, and Ring of Darkness. He was also in several Baywatch films and reality series as himself.

Jackson appeared on the reality show Confessions of a Teen Idol, on VH1 where former teen idols attempted to revitalize their careers. The show was co-produced by former teen idols Scott Baio and Jason Hervey. In one episode, Jackson claimed he beat out Leonardo DiCaprio for the role of Hobie. This was later confirmed by Hasselhoff.

From featured guest to addiction

The child star stigma is one of those things that's almost impossible to explain," he said during a 2006 episode of E!'s Child Star Confidential. "It hurts me in a lot of situations, it helps me in a lot of situations."

The actor was featured in Vanity Fair's Hollywood Issue in March 2006 and at one point was referred to as "Mr. MySpace." He has also been a guest on The Tyra Banks Show and endorsed Ed Hardy Clothing. He has also hosted fashion shows for the Ed Hardy fashion house around the world.

In an interview on the E! TV special Child Star Confidential Jeremy admitted that he had problems with drugs which contributed to his departure from Baywatch. He added that he had overcome his addiction after rehabilitation. In 2011, Jackson was a cast member in the fifth season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, where he shared his road to recovery from steroid addiction.

Jackson's life takes a trip to the dark side

In January 2015, Jackson participated in the United Kingdom reality television series Celebrity Big Brother 15, where he placed 15th, on Channel 5. After four days, producers removed him from the house for opening fellow housemate Chloe Goodman's dressing gown against her will.[6] Jackson was later cautioned by the Hertfordshire Police following their investigation into common assault.

In 2008, a sex tape of Jackson and adult video star Sky Lopez was offered for sale. Jeremy said that he was physically threatened into giving the tape to men who claimed to represent Lopez.

The hard times continue

From 2012-2014 Jackson was married to former model Loni Willison who struggled with her own drug addiction and later became homeless. In 2017, as part of a plea bargain, Jeremy Jackson was sentenced to 270 days in jail and 5 years probation for stabbing a man in 2015 but said it was in self-defense. In 2022 People Magazine interviewed the actor who shared the following.

"All my life I was raised by a single mom," he continued. "I never got to know my dad. He was a drug addict, and that's why my mom pretty much kidnapped us out of a bad situation."

You can enjoy young Hobie in reruns. Baywatch can be seen on METV2 from 5-6 AM and again at 6-7 AM.