Hasselhoff Will Leave DeBris Behind Him May 6

By Kenneth Jones
April 11, 2007

David Hasselhoff, due to a prior commitment as a judge on the TV series "America's Got Talent," will leave the cast of the Las Vegas production of The Producers May 6.

Hasselhoff, who plays the outrageously flamboyant character Roger DeBris at Paris Las Vegas, leaves as an original company member of the new 90-minute production that opened Jan. 31, 2007. The open-ended production continues.

Meanwhile, on Broadway, the original production ends its legendary run April 22 at the St. James Theatre.

Hasselhoff is listed in the Guinness "Book of World Records" as the Most Watched TV star in the world. His theatrical career began with his sold-out Broadway debut in Jekyll and Hyde. That was followed by his performances as Billy Flynn in the Kander and Ebb smash Chicago, The Musical.

"It has been an honor and privilege to have worked with Mel Brooks and Susan Stroman and an outstanding cast and crew," stated David Hasselhoff. "This has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my career in addition to having been so much fun and I'm sorry to say goodbye."

The Mel Brooks-Thomas Meehan musical comedy had its gala premiere at Paris Las Vegas on Feb. 9. The production opened on Broadway on April 19, 2001, to unanimous rave reviews and is the recipient of the most Tony Awards in Broadway History (12, including Best Musical).

For tickets and information, visit www.parislasvegas.com or call (877) 374-7469.