Baywatch JD

Background:

Starting out as a model, Michael Bergin received early recognition in the mid 1990s as Mark Wahlberg's successor as Calvin Klein's underwear poster boy. He has since branched out in acting and is best remembered for playing lifeguard Jack 'J.D.' Darius (1997-2001), who became involved in a romantic relationship with Caroline Holden (played by Yasmine Bleeth) and later Jessie (played by Brooke Burns), on the popular syndicated action series "Baywatch." He also played the recurring role of con artist Nick Bozman (2002) on NBC soap opera "Passions."

On the big screen, Bergin could be seen in the films "The Proprietor" (1996), "The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy" (2000), "Wolves of Wall Street" (2002), "Autopsy Room Four" (2003), "Central Booking" (2005), "Holla" (2006), and "Once in a Lifetime: Just Go for It" (2007). Bergin who has guest starred in "Cosby," "Charmed," "CSI: Miami," and "The Division," will next be seen in an upcoming thriller film called "Playing with Fire."

This 6' 1" model-turned-actor has dated Caroline Bessette Kennedy and Calvin Klein publicist Carolyn Bessette (dated Bergin prior to her 1996 marriage to John F Kennedy Jr; died at age 33 in a July 1999 plane crash; mentioned in Bergin's 2005 book "Other Man: John F. Kennedy Jr., Carolyn Bessette, and Me"). He has been married to make-up artist Joy Tilk since 2004 and is a proud father of a son and a daughter.

Michael John

Childhood and Family:

"A father's disappointment can be a very powerful tool." Michael Bergin.

In Waterbury, Connecticut, Michael John Bergin was born on March 19, 1969. He studied marketing at University of Connecticut, Waterbury, Connecticut.

Bergin, who has dated Caroline Bessette Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette (a Calvin Klein publicist; dated Bergin prior to her 1996 marriage to John F Kennedy Jr; died at age 33 in a July 1999 plane crash; mentioned in Bergin's 2005 book "Other Man: John F. Kennedy Jr., Carolyn Bessette, and Me"), became engaged to make-up artist Joy Tilk on February 14, 2004 and were married on September 24, 2004. He is the father of a son, Jesse Bergin (born on October 8, 1999), and a daughter, Alannah Jade (born in 2004).

Bergin is a national spokesperson for the anti-drug children's program D.A.R.E. And has lent his name, time, and image to numerous AIDS charities. His work with the D.A.R.E. program has brought him equal acclaim from law enforcement, anti-drug, and child advocacy groups, as well.

Passions

Career:

While attending Uconn Michael Bergin pursued a modeling career in New York City and got signed with Click modeling agency. He subsequently landed modeling jobs with Valentino, Hugo Boss, and Donna Karan.

In 1994, Bergin received his first big break when he replaced Mark Wahlberg in Calvin Klein's racy series of black and white underwear ads. His popularity as underwear poster boy would bring him acting job, beginning with a two-episode recurring role as a bartender on the CBS NYC-set primetime soap "Central Park West/CPW" in 1995.

He followed it up with a scene-stealing cameo in the Merchant-Ivory production "The Proprietor" (1996) and a regular role on the popular syndicated action series "Baywatch," playing Jack 'J.D.' Darius from 1997 to 2001. His character became involved in a romantic relationship with Caroline Holden (played by Yasmine Bleeth) and later Jessie (played by Brooke Burns). He stayed as a cast member when "Baywatch" changed title and location to "Baywatch Hawaii" (syndicated). He also appeared in the 2003 reunion movie "Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding."

Meanwhile, Bergin guested on an episode of the CBS sitcom "Cosby," playing a co-worker who catches the eye of regular Pauline (played by Madeline Kahn), and Fox sitcom "Partners," as well as starred in the made-for-television movie "What's Up, Peter Fuddy?" (2001; starring Dave Foley). He also appeared in the films "Closing the Deal" (2000), a romantic comedy directed by Art Altounian, "The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy" (2000), playing a closeted star who has a brief encounter with seductive actor Cole (played by Dean Cain), and "Starforce" (2000), a science fiction helmed by Cary Howe and Tony Kandah.

In 2002, Bergin played the recurring role of Nick Bozman, a con artist for whom Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald had once worked, on NBC soap opera "Passions." During this time, he was cast in writer/director Robert D. Slane's 14-minute short comedy film "The Fine Line Between Cute and Creepy" and David DeCoteau's action/horror flick "Wolves of Wall Street."

Bergin continued to add to his resume with roles in such films as Stephen Zakman's 22-minute horror film "Autopsy Room Four" (2003), Alex Ranarivelo's crime film "Central Booking" (2005), George Erschbamer's straight-to-video released horror/drama "Fatal Reunion" (2005; alongside Erika Eleniak and David Millbern), H.M. Coakley's horror flick "Holla" (2006), and Randolph M. Hirsch's romantic drama comedy movie "Once in a Lifetime: Just Go for It" (2007). On the small screen, he has guest-starred in an episode of The WB supernatural drama "Charmed" and CBS crime drama "CSI: Miami," as well as acted in the TV movie "Family Plan" (2005).

Bergin has completed his upcoming film project, "Playing with Fire," a thriller directed by David DeCoteau. He also has launched his own brand of men's underwear.

Awards:
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