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ARTICLE

Interview: David Chokachi: Riding the Break
by Scott Juba
Published: June 2, 2006

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Related Sites:
· Beyond the Break Official Site

Most people have to use their personal time to enjoy the beach, but David Chokachi had the luxury of working on the beach when he filmed the N Network original series, Beyond the Break, in Hawaii.

“I absolutely love and have a huge passion for the ocean,” Chokachi says, “so if I wasn’t shooting on the beach, I’d be out surfing or swimming or doing something in the ocean.”

In Beyond the Break, which debuts tonight, the former Baywatch hunk plays a past surfing champ who now coaches four rising female stars in the sport. “On the show, we all live in the same house, but there’s nothing going on between my character and the girls,” he says with a laugh. “It’s not that kind of show. I play more of an older brother figure who trains them and takes them to surf events and keeps them out of trouble and keeps them from partying too much. It sets up a lot of great storylines and great relationship arcs between me and the girls.”

While Chokachi stresses the importance of being versatile as an actor, he says he tries to infuse his own personality into his character. “I think the reason you get the jobs you get is that they’re looking for you,” he remarks. “You’re the person they’re looking for, even off-camera. You happen to be that guy. You have to be able to deliver and be truthful and say your lines, but for all of the actors out there, I think there’s only about a dozen that aren’t playing themselves most of the time.”

Yet, Chokachi is quick to point out that while his character on the show may share his personality, his character doesn’t necessarily reflect his decision-making skills, particularly when it comes to relationship issues. “My character has an ex-wife he keeps going back to after she’s dissed him. In real life I’d never go back to a girl who’s blowing me off. I’d be like, ‘Later, honey.’ [Laughs].”

Although often recognized for his looks, including a selection as one of People’s 50 Most Beautiful People during his Baywatch days, Chokachi proves to be more than your typical beach hunk. When he’s not enjoying the sand and surf, he takes an active interest in environmental issues. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a democrat or a republican, we all have to have the same voice,” he says. “We have to get over that party barrier, really be honest about what’s happening and take action.”

Chokachi says he has strong feelings on many other issues as well but prefers to keep his activism narrowly focused. “[If you take on too many issues] you lose your voice, because people will be like, ‘He believes in that, but he also believes in twenty other things.’”

When it comes to breaking down stereotypes to have his voice taken seriously, Chokachi says, “I know who I am, and that’s the most important thing.”