Brooke Elizabeth Burns (born March 16, 1978) is an American actress, fashion model, game show host, and television personality. Burns began her television career in 1995, portraying the supporting character Peg in the Spanish-American teen sitcom Out of the Blue (1995–1996), appearing in all episodes. Burns joined the cast of the action drama series Baywatch in 1998 and subsequently starred in Baywatchs second rendition, Baywatch: Hawaii, until she left the show owing to her first pregnancy. She appeared in 33 episodes.

After her hiatus, Burns returned to television. She appeared in several guest roles, including in the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me!, and played a major role in the American soap opera North Shore, appearing in all 21 episodes.

Burns has hosted several game shows, including Dog Eat Dog for NBC, Hole in the Wall for Fox, plus The Chase and a revival of Tic-Tac-Dough, both on Game Show Network. The Chase was nominated at the 41st Daytime Emmy Awards for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show, and two years later Burns was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host. In addition to television, Burns has also appeared in minor roles in several films. She appeared in the romantic comedy Shallow Hal, the mockbuster disaster Titanic II, and the drama Where Hope Grows (2014).

Early life Burns was born in Dallas, Texas. Burns grew up in a Christian family, with a father in the oil business who also did missionary work.

At age 16, Burns moved with her family to Europe, living later in Paris, Milan, and Munich.

Career Television From 1998 to 2001, Burns starred in Baywatch and Baywatch: Hawaii as the character Jessie Owens. In 2001, she appeared as Vicki Vale in one of several "Batman" commercials for OnStar opposite Bruce Thomas's Batman. Burns hosted NBC's Dog Eat Dog from June 2002 to August 2003 and was nominated for a Teen Choice Award. Burns starred in North Shore, a prime-time soap opera that ran for 21 episodes in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, she starred in the WB series Pepper Dennis, playing Kathy Dinkle. In 2009, Burns appeared in the first 12 episodes of the updated Melrose Place, playing Vanessa, the most recent wife of Dr. Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro) and mother of his older son's five-year-old son, Noah. Burns was given the chance to participate in the first season of the ABC celebrity diving reality competition Splash but turned it down because of an injury she had received when diving a few years before.

Burns has also appeared on Ally McBeal, Drop Dead Diva, CSI: Miami, To Tell the Truth, and Average Joe: Hawaii. She was nominated for an Emmy in 2016 for best game show host on the GSN game show The Chase with Mark Labbett and hosted Master Minds from 2020 until 2023.

Film For her role in the 2001 film Shallow Hal, the Farrelly brothers wrote a specific part for Burns after deciding during her audition that she was the "prettiest dorky girl" they'd met. She appeared in a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, co-starring Henry Winkler, on December 13, 2008. Other films include Smokejumpers, Dancing Trees, Trophy Wife, Art of Travel, and Time and Again. Burns appears in the Nickelback video "Trying Not to Love You" opposite Jason Alexander. Burns and Alexander both appeared in Shallow Hal. In 2017, she appeared in a Hallmark movie, Christmas Connection, starring a leading role as Sydney.

Personal life Burns was married to actor Julian McMahon from 1999 to 2001. McMahon was the son of the former Prime Minister of Australia Sir William McMahon. They have a daughter who was born in June 2000.

Burns began dating actor Bruce Willis in August 2003. Rumoured to have become engaged in April 2004, they broke up in June 2004.

On June 22, 2013, she married film director Gavin O'Connor. She resides in Los Angeles.

In October 2016, it was announced that Burns was expecting her second child, a girl who was born in 2017.

Health and injuries On November 11, 2005, Burns broke her neck in a diving accident. Although she made a full recovery, she has a fusion in her neck consisting of a titanium plate, rod, and 10 screws. In May 2014, Burns was involved in a car crash in Los Angeles.

Charitable activities When Burns was filming Baywatch, she was involved with Camp Baywatch, teaching inner-city children to swim and lifeguard. She also supports the Life Rolls On Foundation, an organization that aims to help people with spinal cord injuries return to an active lifestyle. In 2006, as a result of her diving injury, she became involved with the Think First National Injury Prevention Foundation and the North American Spine Society, which aim to raise awareness of spinal injuries. In 2021, Burns appeared on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, playing for the Just Keep Livin' Foundation. The organization helps teenagers across the country.

Filmography

Film Year Film Role Notes 2001Shallow Hal Pretty / Ugly Katrina2005The Salon TamiSingle White Female 2: The Psycho Jan LambertDirect-to-DVDDeath to the Supermodels Eva Direct-to-DVD 2006Murder on Spec Kate Graham 2007Urban Decay Sasha2008The Art of Travel Darlene LorenSmoke Jumper aka Trial by Fire Kristin Scott Lifetime TV movie 2009Dancing Trees Nicole 2010Titanic II Dr. Kim Patterson Direct-to-DVD 2015Where Hope Grows Amy Boone

Television Year Title Role Notes 1996Out of the Blue Peg 22 episodes1997Conan the AdventurerHearth Episode: "The Three Virgins"Ally McBeal The Girl / Jennifer Higgin 4 episodes 1998–2001Baywatch & Baywatch: Hawaii Jessie Owens 46 episodes 1999Mortal Kombat: Conquest Lori Episode: "Festival of Death" 2001 Hot Date Vicki ValeOnStar commercial2002Men, Women & Dogs Kristle Episode: "Cheese Dog"A Nero Wolfe Mystery Beatrice Epps 2 episodes2002–2003Dog Eat Dog Host 26 episodesJust Shoot Me! Kelly / Cover model 2 episodes2003She Spies Nicki Shields Episode: "The Replacement"Rock Me Baby Erin "White Chocolate" Rimsing Episode: "Girl Power" 2004–2005North Shore Nicole Booth 21 episodes2006Modern Men Angelica Episode: "Give 'Til You Learn"Pepper Dennis Kathy Dinkle Williams 13 episodesTrophy Wife Kate Graham Television film (Lifetime) 2007Time and Again Anna Malone Television film (Lifetime)2008Trial by Fire Kristen Television film (Lifetime)The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Jennifer Cullen Television film (Hallmark)Miss Guided Lisa Germain 7 episodes 2008–2009Hole in the Wall Co-host 18 episodes2009Mistresses Shannon Barnes Television film (Lifetime)CSI: Miami Bonnie Galinetti / Marci Reeger Episode: "Chip/Tuck"Drop Dead Diva Christy Talbot Episode: "Dead Model Walking"Melrose PlaceVanessa Mancini 6 episodes2011You Deserve It Hostess 6 episodesFixing Pete Ashley Television film (Hallmark)Borderline Murder Abby Morgan Television film (Lifetime Movies)2012Undercover Bridesmaid Tanya Television film (Hallmark)A Star for Christmas Skylar Television film (ION) 2013A Sister's Revenge Suzanne Dunne Television film (Lifetime)2013–2015The Chase Host 51 episodes2014Motor City Masters Host 10 episodes2015Community E.T. HostEpisode: "Intro to Recycled Cinema" 2015–2017; 2020 Gourmet Detective Detective Maggie Price Hallmark Movies & Mysteries series2017Christmas Connection Sydney Television film (Hallmark)2020–2023Master Minds Host Game show 2021 Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Herself Celebrity contestant; 1 episode 2025–presentTic-Tac-DoughHost Game show

References

External links