U.S. actor David Hasselhoff says he may be responsible for giving Leonardo DiCaprio a boost because he rejected him for a role on "Baywatch" in the 1990s.

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Hasselhoff, who played veteran lifeguard Mitch Buchannon, also produced the show and he said a young DiCaprio auditioned for a part as a lifeguard on the program, but he was overlooked, forcing him into a movie career, reported TeenHollywood.com.

"He was going to be one of the young lifeguards, but we didn't hire him," he said. "Because of that he probably went on to become a huge movie star."

Meanwhile, Hasselhoff said he hated wearing his "Baywatch" costume -- shorts.

"I've got thin legs so I wouldn't wear shorts, as kids can be so cruel," he said. "But when I got on stage I was the star, I had no fear. I still have no fear when I'm performing."