Before the “Baywatch” producers wrapped filming the revival’s first season, they brought a special guest to the set this week: Real-life rookie lifeguard Ryder Williams, the 16-year-old who made headlines when he saved a 10-year-old boy on a Santa Cruz beach amid 8-to-10-foot high pounding waves and rip currents.
Williams and his parents were invited as guests on the Fox lot in Century City — and just in time, as it was the last day of full production on the upcoming Fox series (set to premiere in early 2027). The cast and crew paid tribute to Williams, with series star Stephen Amell giving Williams a Season 1 “Baywatch” crew jacket.
“’Baywatch’ is all about the bravery and selflessness Ryder brought to the beach in Santa Cruz,” said executive producer/showrunner Matt Nix. “We’re honored to have a real-life hero with us on set.”
The original “Baywatch” was created by lifeguard Greg Bonann, who’s also an executive producer on the Fox revival. “‘Baywatch’ has always celebrated the real men and women who dedicate themselves to protecting the lives of others,” Bonann said. “16 year old rookie lifeguard Ryder Williams has just reminded all of us why that mission matters. His visit today to the Baywatch set has inspired our whole cast and crew and given all of us all a glimpse of what a real life hero looks like.”
In the group photo above, Williams is seen in his new jacket with cast and crew. That included David Chokachi, Amell, Livvy Dunne, Luke Eisner, Jessica Belkin, Kylar Miranda, Kai Moya, Shay Mitchell, Ashley Moore, Thaddeus LaGrone and Noah Beck.
As for the rescue, caught on video and shared globally on social media, was Williams’ first-ever rescue as a lifeguard — but he then made four more rescues that day.
“He risked his life to save my child going into that water and those tumultuous conditions and getting thrown under is incredibly dangerous,” the 10-year-old’s father, Sumit Rai, told NBC Bay Area. “It’s incredibly courageous, brave, heroic and resilient. Had he let go of him, this would have been a different outcome.”
Here’s video of the “Baywatch” stars and producers presenting Williams with the jacket gift: