happy birthday hasselhoff!

11 Things: Happy Birthday, Hasselhoff

Thursday, July 17, 2008

1. Hasselhoff to an epic start: David Michael Hasselhoff's first major role was Dr. William "Snapper" Foster Jr. on "The Young and the Restless" (1975-82).

Hasselhoffhand remark: The exact same TV show Travis Bickle was watching when he kicked his TV over in "Taxi Driver" (1976).

2. On again, Hasselhoff again: Hasselhoff played Michael Knight in "Knight Rider," "a young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law."

Hasselhoffhand remark: KITT called to wish him a happy birthday earlier this morning.

3. Not easily Hasselhoffended: In 2004, Hasselhoff landed the complex role of David Michael Hasselhoff in John Waters' "A Dirty Shame."

Hasselhoffhand remark: He nailed it.

4. On the Hasselhoffensive: In 2006, Hasselhoff fans started www.gethasselhofftonumber1.com in an attempt to send his 1989 hit "Looking for Freedom" to the top of the British music charts.

Hasselhoffhand remark: He made it to No. 3.

5. Hasselhoffbrau: When Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki was asked what he does to concentrate when shooting foul shots, he replied that he sings "Looking for Freedom" to himself.

Hasselhoffhand remark: Hasselhoff is "as much a fan of Nowitzki as Nowitzki is of him."

6. Hasselhoff Broadway: Hasselhoff portrayed Roger DeBris in the Las Vegas production of "The Producers."

Hasselhoffhand remark: Roger DeBris directed "Springtime for Hitler."

7. Hasselhoffspring: In 2007, a video surfaced of Hasselhoff in a drunken stupor, lying on the floor and eating a Wendy's hamburger in a Vegas hotel room. His daughter shot the video.

Hasselhoffhand remark: Her narration went something like this: "Tell me you are going to stop, tell me you are going to stop."

8. Hasselhoffkey: In November, Hasselhoff was reportedly working on an Oasis covers album to be released in Germany.

Hasselhoffhand remark: "Tell me you are going to stop, tell me you are going to stop."

9. Hasselhofficially: At 6 feet 4 inches, Hasselhoff is one of the best known tall actors.

Hasselhoffhand remark: On good hair days, he approaches 6 feet 9 inches.

10. Hasselhoff the charts: Hasselhoff's cover of "Hooked on a Feeling" reached No. 41 on the Swiss charts.

Hasselhoffhand remark: I've been hooked on a remarkably similar feeling since my vacation ended.

11. Hasselhoffering birthday wishes: Don't forget to drop Hoff a birthday note today at: www.hasselhoff.com, www.davidhasselhoff.com or www.myspace.com/davidhasselhoff.

Hasselhoffhand remark: Avoid www.esquilax.com/baywatch and YouTube.

- Tim Sullivan, tsullivan@sfchronicle.com

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/17/NSNT11OTKO.DTL

This article appeared on page G - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle