Jaason Simmons

This hunky blond Australian actor came to the USA in 1991 to pursue an acting career. Jaason Simmons was born in Tasmania, the island province of Australia that was also the birthplace of Simmons' idol, Errol Flynn.

After studying and struggling in California for two years, the actor ironically received his first break on a visit home. Simmons made his professional acting debut in the Aussie series "Paradise Beach" and quickly achieved heartthrob status. This initial success led to his being cast in the independent film "Page 73" (c. 1993).

By 1994, Simmons was back in the USA, where he won the role of the rugged, cocky lifeguard Logan Fowler on "Baywatch." The character was introduced to add conflict; Simmons' Logan was a seasoned veteran who was relegated to rookie status in America and as such often clashed with his fellow lifeguards.

The actor reprised the role for "Baywatch: The Movie, Forbidden Paradise" (1994), which was made to capitalize on the worldwide success of the series. In Gregg Araki's nihilistic take on teenage life in So-Cal "Nowhere" (1997), Simmons partly spoofed his image by playing an unnamed teen idol, whose looks and charisma belied a darker side.