A Southern belle turned Baywatch babe, Brooke Burns has had a successful modeling and television acting career, and even carries a few movie credits to date. Brooke Burns was born in Dallas, Texas on March 16, 1978. In kindergarten, she wanted to be a ballet dancer.

With the support of her parents, she danced throughout most of her childhood until an injury from a skiing accident left her little hope of becoming a top dancer. Instead, she pursued other avenues, and before graduating high school began appearing in fashion magazines in Europe and America.

Brooke’s television acting career began with a Mug Rootbeer commercial, which landed her a successful audition for Out of the Blue, a series filmed on location at Sea World in Orlando, Florida. Though her success in Florida was small, it prompted her to seek bigger and better opportunities, and she moved to Los Angeles. After arriving, Burns auditioned for a role on Baywatch but didn’t secure the role. However, her break came when the show’s producers decided to call her back to play the role of Jesse Owens permanently.

Shocking and maybe slightly disappointing her near cult following and fans, Brooke Burns announced she was leaving Baywatch when at 22, she learned that her and husband, Julian McMahon, were expecting a child. Brooke’s daughter, Madison, was born in 2000. Her marriage to Julian didn’t last and they divorced in 2001.

That same year, Brooke took a small role in the major motion picture comedy Shallow Hal, starring Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow. Burns has also appeared in the television shows Ally McBeal, Just Shoot Me, and starred in Fox’s prime-time soap opera series North Shore. She has hosted several shows including the short-lived realty/game show Dog Eat Dog.

Brooke Burns is currently a single mother to daughter Madison. Brooke dated and was engaged to Hollywood superstar Bruce Willis briefly, until they broke it off in 2004 due to the complications of a long distance relationship. In November of 2005, Brooke Burns was hospitalized after breaking her neck in a freak diving accident at her home. Her injuries were thankfully not severe enough to cause permanent injury or paralysis, and she made a complete recovery.

Her last television role was as Kathy Dinkle on the WB series Pepper Dennis, which aired briefly from April 4^th to July 4^th 2006. Burns’ next venture is unknown, but it’s certain whether she’s starring, hosting, or posing, the Brooke Burns fan base will be there applauding.