A gorgeous and talented model and actress, Burns is a familair face after acting in "Baywatch" and hosting the reality show "Dog Eat Dog". Her most recent credentials include starring on Fox's North Shore. As a young girl in her native Dallas, Texas, Brooke Burns ("Baywatch") was groomed to be in the spotlight and was a successful ballerina for 12 years -- until an unfortunate ski injury halted her dancing career. In reality, those years of discipline and training might have been good preparation for her recent stint on NBC's "Fear Factor." "I was part of the first celebrity 'Fear Factor' and I saw some of what there would be if a show such as 'Dog Eat Dog' became 'Fear Factor' meets 'Weakest Link,'" says Burns as host of NBC's newest challenge reality show. Describing her new role as host, Burns adds, "I love the opportunity to be myself as opposed to playing a character. I'm excited about the improvisational side of the job, and I think the key to being a good host is listening and being who I am." Burns' mother wasted no time after her daughter's ballet career ended, and quickly enrolled her at a modeling agency. By the age of 16, Burns was traveling and working throughout Europe. A year later, she returned to the United States and continued modeling in New York. After some work in commercials, she was cast as a regular in the series "Out of the Blue," which taped in and around Sea World in Orlando, Florida.

After relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a television acting career full time, Burns' first audition was for the popular beachside syndication series "Baywatch." Although not hired initially for that drama, she made numerous television guest-starring roles on other series, including Timothy Hutton's "Nero Wolfe" and the recurring role of Jennifer, the fantasy girl on "Ally McBeal." Eventually, the "Baywatch" producers cast her as Jessica "Jessie" Owens," a role which she reprised on the series' spinoff "Baywatch Hawaii." Burns made her comedic and feature-film debut in last year's "Shallow Hal" (alongside Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black) as a young, tragically ugly girl whose inner beauty proves to be much stronger than her disagreeable outer appearance. Burns was born on March 16, 1978, in Dallas, Texas. Burns gave birth to a daughter, Madison, in 2000. After developing a cult following on Baywatch and Baywatch Hawaii, Burns decided to leave the show at age 22 when she discovered that she was pregnant. The father was recent hubby Julian McMahon of the WB show, Charmed. In addition to her Baywatch role, Burns appeared in several episodes of Ally McBeal, where she played a fictional character in Calista Flockhart's delusions.

Producers from NBC were impressed with her charisma and sense of adventure, and asked her to sign on as host of a new reality show/game show called Dog Eat Dog. She readily took the position and has enjoyed great Nielsen ratings since its recent debut. Although her accomplishments are not walk-of-fame worthy, Burns has the wit and looks to last a long time on screen, whether it's small or silver. With her marriage over after some apparent issues with her husband's fidelity, we only hope she can remain on stable ground and continue to impress us.

Although we don't see why it's necessary, Brooke Burns is set to prove to legions of fans and new audience members that she is not just another pretty face. Athletic, graceful and smart, Burns has more assets than those that are most obvious. A former ballet dancer and competitive swimmer, her acting skills and comedic touch are nothing to shake a stick at. Admittedly, it's fun to look at stills of her resuscitating people on Baywatch and imagine the possibilities, but it's certainly refreshing to know that all her eggs are not in one basket.

With more credentials than most other Baywatch alumni (aside from supposed singer David Hasselhoff), Burns also boasts an adventurous personality, including a love of motocross. She's even quite well-spoken and educated, representing causes ranging from saving endangered sharks to protecting abused children.

After a TV hiatus thanks to her split from Baywatch, we're glad we can stop sending threatening letters to television networks demanding we get our Brooke Burns fix once a week, now that she is the host of NBC's Dog Eat Dog. She's hot, smart and tough, delivering a killer three-hit knockout that can only propel her to impressive heights. Brooke Burns readily took the position and has enjoyed great Nielsen ratings since its recent debut. Although her accomplishments are not walk-of-fame worthy, Burns has the wit and looks to last a long time on screen, whether it's small or silver. She is a natural athlete who excels as a swimmer having been trained by her father, a former national champion swimmer at SMU. In her spare time, Burns is a mentor for PennyLane, a residential home for abused children.

Burns, Esposito, Cortese Hop to WB Pilots

"North Shore" star Brooke Burns, Jennifer Esposito and Dan Cortese are all headed to The WB for pilot work in a flurry of casting activity at the Frog. Rider Strong and John DiMaggio have also joined pilots.

Burns, who played hotel scion Nicole Booth on FOX's low-rated "North Shore" this season, has joined the cast of "Pepper Dennis," opposite Rebecca Romijn and Lindsay Price in what surely will rank as one of the prettier ensembles of this development season. Strong ("Boy Meets World," "Cabin Fever") will also be part of the cast, the showbiz trades report.

The AP reported last week that FOX had cancelled "North Shore." The network isn't commenting on the report, but given that the show averaged only about 4 million viewers per week, it's unlikely to return.
Esposito, meanwhile, has taken a part in the network's untitled drama from former "Sex and the City" writer Liz Tucillo. The "Summer of Sam" and "Taxi" star, who has a recurring part on "Judging Amy," will play one of four sisters who live in New York opposite Laura San Giacomo ("Just Shoot Me").

Cortese, late of UPN's "Rock Me Baby" and DiMaggio, a prolific voice actor who played Bender on "Futurama," will star in the comedy "Grown Men" with Dean Cain. The show revolves around former college fraternity brothers who have remained close.

Burns, Esposito, Cortese Hop to WB Pilots

"North Shore" star Brooke Burns, Jennifer Esposito and Dan Cortese are all headed to The WB for pilot work in a flurry of casting activity at the Frog. Rider Strong and John DiMaggio have also joined pilots.

Burns, who played hotel scion Nicole Booth on FOX's low-rated "North Shore" this season, has joined the cast of "Pepper Dennis," opposite Rebecca Romijn and Lindsay Price in what surely will rank as one of the prettier ensembles of this development season. Strong ("Boy Meets World," "Cabin Fever") will also be part of the cast, the showbiz trades report.

The AP reported last week that FOX had cancelled "North Shore." The network isn't commenting on the report, but given that the show averaged only about 4 million viewers per week, it's unlikely to return.
Esposito, meanwhile, has taken a part in the network's untitled drama from former "Sex and the City" writer Liz Tucillo. The "Summer of Sam" and "Taxi" star, who has a recurring part on "Judging Amy," will play one of four sisters who live in New York opposite Laura San Giacomo ("Just Shoot Me").

Cortese, late of UPN's "Rock Me Baby" and DiMaggio, a prolific voice actor who played Bender on "Futurama," will star in the comedy "Grown Men" with Dean Cain. The show revolves around former college fraternity brothers who have remained close.