David Chokachi was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Like most actors, writers or artists, David loved
movies while growing up. He and his brother would use their parent's home video camera to create their own version of favorite
action shows like super-hit Miami Vice/NBC. The close family unit enjoyed activities together as well. David's father
was passionate about sky "fly" fishing and taught him and his brother. The trio still enjoy the sport and plan Alaska
trips. However, David and his brother did have their share of chores as children, something that teaches a
hard work ethic. Their friends would go out to have fun and the boys would go only for about an hour because their father
would warn them to get back because they had a lot of work to do.
David was athletic and excelled at water sports and earned varsity letters in football, lacrosse and
wrestling. Knowing the importance of fitness, he realized that if you weren't in good shape, you'd get hurt easily. He earned
a scholarship to Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. He was a member of a selected group of students that was accepted
into the Semeter at Sea Program in his Junior year. The group lived aboard a sailing vessel, traveling to third world
countries. It gave David a first hand view of how deteriorated the earth's environment was.
Graduating in 1990 with a degree in Polictical Science, David worked for Rep. Gerry Studds (D-Mass.) in
Washington. As his legislative aid before answering a newspaper ad for models and actors. He spent the early years of his
career modeling and as a commercial actor. He commuted between Boston and New York doing commercials for two years. He also
appeared in the film With Honors.
He landed the part on Baywatch for the show's 6th season, portraying lifeguard Cody Madison, whose
Olympic dreams were shattered by injury as a result of a rescue. The stunning, well-built actor was an immediate
hit with fans of the show.
David got a chance to pursue other projects as well. He appeared in Shadow of a Scream and Bad
to the Bone/ABC TV Movie. David has made guest appearances on Sabrina, the Teenaged Witch/ABC, and Suddenly
Susan/NBC. On the big screen, he appeared in 12 Bucks and Psycho Beach Party.
He was selected as one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 1997 and appeared
on the cover of Porthole travel magazine's Nov/Dec issue with his other castmates. The 9th season
was David's last with Baywatch. He got to keep some of the widely wanted mementos from the show, a rescue can,
a couple of Baywatch jackets and shirts.
After 4 seasons, he went on to pursue other projects and co-starred in the highly rated TNT
cable movie Witchblade, the two-hour launcher for the TV series, which aired in August 2000. The show was
based on the Top Cow comic book, Witchblade. The story of a New York police detective, Sara Pezzini (Yancy
Butler) whose search for justice brings her into contact with a powerful ancient weapon to battle the earth's darkest forces.
David portrayed Sara's partner, a surfer turned police officer Jack McCartey who transferred from a small California
to the N.Y.P.D. Jake didn't know anything about the powers his partner had through the Witchblade bracelett she wore. David
got to do his own stunts for the show except for the driving. Prior to filming on the Toronto set, he had to train with a
former L.A.P.D. police officer who taught Israeli street fighting. He taught David how to act during certain
situations, as to the proper way enter and clear a room, hand to hand combat, how to take away guns. David wanted to
be believable, so he got all of the procedures down. The show premiered on Tuesday, June 12th, 2001. Although it was up against
Comedies Frasier/NBC, Darma & Greg/ABC and the dark Sci-fi Dark Angel/FOX, the show did extremely
well in the ratings.
Unfortunately, well-publicized trouble on the set affected the ratings. Yancy Butler's problem with
alcohol to boost her energy level took its toll and she was hospitalized and then went into rehab. Yancy did all of her own
stunts and was in almost every scene. She thought that alcohol would give her a list and it back-fired into an addiction.
David was concerned when she tried to speed up her recovery process to save her job, as the Producers were thinking of replacing
her. The most important thing was that she recover properly as not to harm her health. The talented actress would get future
roles. The show was cancelled and there was chance for fans to save it.