Baywatch Hails Real-Life Hero Lifeguard Ryder Williams on Set Visit

As the curtains draw on the first season of the much-anticipated Baywatch revival, producers decided to make a splash with a very special guest - 16-year-old lifesaver Ryder Williams. The young hero made waves when he bravely rescued a 10-year-old boy from treacherous waters on Santa Cruz beach, battling 8-to-10-foot high waves and riptides. Williams, accompanied by his proud parents, was invited to Fox's Century City lot for an unforgettable visit – just in time, as it was the final day of full production on the upcoming Fox series (set to air early 2027). The cast and crew honored Williams with heartfelt tributes, with lead star Stephen Amell presenting him a coveted Season 1 Baywatch crew jacket. "Baywatch is all about the courage and selflessness embodied by Ryder on Santa Cruz beach," said executive producer and showrunner Matt Nix. "It's an honor to have a real-life hero amongst us on set." The original Baywatch was created by lifeguard Greg Bonann, who also serves as an executive producer on the Fox revival. "Baywatch has always celebrated the dedicated men and women who risk their lives daily to save others," Bonann said. "Ryder Williams' heroic actions remind us all of the importance of this mission. His presence today on our Baywatch set has left a lasting impact on cast and crew, offering us all a glimpse into the heart of a true hero." In the group photo above, Williams is seen beaming in his new jacket alongside cast members David Chokachi, Amell, Livvy Dunne, Luke Eisner, Jessica Belkin, Kylar Miranda, Kai Moya, Shay Mitchell, Ashley Moore, Thaddeus LaGrone, and Noah Beck. The rescue, which was captured on video and shared globally via social media, marked Williams' first-ever lifeguard rescue – but he went on to save four more lives that very day. "Ryder risked his life to save my son from those tumultuous waters," the 10-year-old's father, Sumit Rai, told NBC Bay Area. "His courage, bravery, and resilience are truly heroic; if he hadn't held on, things would have been different." Watch the touching moment when Baywatch stars and producers presented Williams with his jacket gift: