Celebrity Info
Born on September 8, 1971 in Hartford, Connecticut, Brooke Burke grew up in a large family with Irish, Portuguese, and French roots. As the middle child among seven siblings, life for Brooke Burke wasn’t initially headed toward the spotlight. After her parents’ divorce, the family relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where young Brooke Burke found joy in the simple rhythms of desert life—especially playing drums in a rock band. Back then, fame wasn’t even on her radar. But as fate would have it, everything changed when Brooke Burke tagged along with a friend to a local modeling agency and caught the eye of a talent scout. That chance encounter sparked a chain of events that would redefine her future.
Soon after, Brooke Burke won a beauty pageant sponsored by Hawaiian Tropics, which gave her the confidence to move to Los Angeles at just 19 years old. She enrolled at UCLA to study broadcast journalism, but quickly discovered another path. To make ends meet, she began modeling for Frederick’s of Hollywood lingerie catalogs—a gig that, surprisingly, opened more doors than she ever expected. Her striking presence and charisma landed her contracts with top modeling agencies, and before long, Brooke Burke was starring in national commercials for big names like Bally Total Fitness, Discover Card, Coca-Cola, and Anheuser-Busch.
In 1999, a major break came when Brooke Burke auditioned for the hosting role on E! Entertainment’s hit travel show Wild On (1997–2002), stepping in after Jules Asner transitioned to E! News Live. The timing was perfect, and Brooke Burke brought an infectious energy that instantly connected with audiences. One of her first assignments? Spain’s wild La Tomatina Festival—the so-called “largest food fight in the world.” Covered head to toe in tomatoes and laughing uncontrollably, Brooke Burke didn’t just endure the mess—she embraced it. That moment solidified her image: fearless, fun, and fully immersed in every experience.
With Brooke Burke jet-setting to exotic beaches and dancing in nightclubs around the globe, viewers tuned in like never before. Wild On quickly became E!’s second-highest-rated show, trailing only behind Howard Stern. Her popularity soared further when she posed for Playboy in May 2001, expanding her fanbase across demographics. Off-camera, Brooke Burke’s personal life also made headlines. In 1998, after revealing she’d undergone breast enhancement surgery at 19, she met Dr. Garth Fisher, a prominent Beverly Hills plastic surgeon. Their romance blossomed fast, leading to the birth of their first daughter in 2000 and a second in 2002. They married the same year, and Brooke Burke’s new role as a wife and mother only added to her appeal.
Always savvy about branding, Brooke Burke built a multifaceted career that resonated with both men and women. For male fans, there were best-selling swimsuit calendars and multiple features in Playboy. For women, she launched a fitness video called Core Secrets in 2004 and introduced her swimwear line, Barely Brooke, which earned spots in Sports Illustrated’s 2003 Swimsuit Issue and Victoria’s Secret catalogs. It was clear—Brooke Burke wasn’t just a pretty face; she was a business-savvy entrepreneur.
After three thrilling years on Wild On, Brooke Burke stepped down as host in fall 2002 but stayed with E! through August 2003, hosting Rank (2001–03) and covering red carpet events. In 2004, she returned to E! for her own short-run series, The Good Life with Brooke Burke. Eager to expand her skills, Brooke Burke dove into acting, taking guest roles on shows like Monk, Less Than Perfect, and Eve. She also made her film debut with small parts in The Hazing and Knuckle Sandwich, both released in 2004. Not stopping there, she made her stage debut in late 2003 with a performance in the L.A. run of the off-Broadway play Pieces of Ass.
Brooke Burke even ventured into the gaming world, starring as Rachel Teller in EA Games’ Need for Speed: Underground 2—a street-smart character running an underground racing crew. Her performance earned her a Spike TV Video Game Award for Best Performance by a Human-Female and a nomination for Hottest Video Vixen. She later lent her voice to Atari’s Trivial Pursuit: Unhinged, hosting the “People and Places” category.
Her star continued to rise when she joined forces with Survivor executive producer Mark Burnett to co-host CBS’s reality show Rock Star: INXS, where contestants competed to become the lead singer of the iconic band following Michael Hutchence’s passing. Around this time, Brooke Burke and Dr. Garth Fisher announced their separation in July 2005—news that surprised many, especially since Fisher had gained fame himself from ABC’s Extreme Makeover. Brooke Burke soon found love again with former Baywatch star David Charvet. Together, they welcomed a daughter in January 2007 and a son in March 2008. The couple married in 2011 but eventually parted ways in 2020.
Always one to embrace new challenges, Brooke Burke took on Season 7 of Dancing with the Stars (ABC, 2005– ), partnering with pro dancer Derek Hough. Her grace, determination, and charm made her a favorite among judges and fans alike—and she ultimately won the coveted mirrorball trophy. Two years later, she stepped into a new role as co-host alongside Tom Bergeron, replacing Samantha Harris. While opinions were mixed, Brooke Burke cherished being part of a show that had transformed her into a household name beyond her traditional fanbase.
Thanks to DWTS, endorsement deals poured in, and life seemed golden—until November 2012, when Brooke Burke revealed she had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Ever the optimist, she reassured fans that her prognosis was excellent and that she’d undergo a thyroidectomy. After recovering successfully, she completed Season 17 of Dancing with the Stars in 2013 but then chose to step away from the show.
Even as she scaled back, Brooke Burke remained active in entertainment. She appeared on sitcoms like Melissa & Joey and Jane the Virgin, and competed on NBC’s The New Celebrity Apprentice in 2017. More recently, she’s been seen on talk and game shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Hollywood Game Night, keeping her presence alive in pop culture. Through every chapter, Brooke Burke has proven herself not just a survivor, but a dynamic force who continues to evolve—on her own terms.
Brooke Burke-Charvet has been part of several movies throughout her career. When looking at the ratings, her highest rated film seems to stand out as a personal highlight, while, on the flip side, her lowest rated film didn’t quite receive the same level of acclaim.
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