Catching Up with Ian Ziering: From Beverly Hills 90210 to Sharknado and Beyond
Beverly Hills 90210 actor Ian Ziering meets fans at The Hollywood Show Oct 2024
Like many fans, I was hooked on Beverly Hills, 90210, when it first aired in 1990. The fashion, the drama, and the unforgettable characters made it a cultural phenomenon. The hit teen drama followed a close-knit group of friends navigating life at West Beverly Hills High School, and one of the most iconic characters was Steve Sanders, played by Ian Ziering.
Steve started as a carefree, wealthy, and spoiled teenager, but over the seasons, we saw him evolve into a more mature and responsible adult after college. Years later, Ziering made a thrilling comeback in the cult-favorite Sharknado film series, where he played Fin, an ex-surfer turned bar owner who battled deadly storms filled with—you guessed it—sharks.
I had the chance to sit down with Ian Ziering at The Hollywood Show in October 2024 to talk about his career, his time in 90210, and what’s next for him. Read on to see what he had to say!
Ruchel: How does it feel to be part of the convention and interact with fans who have followed your career from 90210 to Sharknado?
Ian Ziering: First of all, let me tell you—this is my favorite convention. It may be smaller compared to others around the country, but the fan support here is incredible. What I really love, though, is the chance to see other celebrities I admire.
For example, Jayne Kennedy is sitting over there, Danny Bonaduce is right here, and Bill Mumy from Lost in Space is also here. I already spoke to Bill—he’s actually the reason I became an actor. As a child, I used to watch Lost in Space, and that’s when it really hit me that acting was a profession, a real job that I could pursue. I wanted to be in Jupiter 2!
Ruchel: You are known for your role as Steve Sanders on Beverly Hills, 90210. How did that role shape your career, and what was it like being part of such an iconic show?
Ian Ziering: Being part of a show that was popular in 150 countries around the world was truly a dream come true. I made lifelong friendships on that show, and I’m incredibly proud to have been part of a project that had such a positive impact on so many people.
Ruchel: What types of roles are you most excited to explore next?
Ian Ziering: I like interesting characters—something that goes against who I am as a person, something challenging. I always look for roles where I can sink my teeth into the character and take the material in a direction that elevates it.
Ruchel: You found renewed fame with the Sharknado franchise. What was it like taking on such a fun, over-the-top project, and did you ever expect it to become the cult hit that it did?
Ian Ziering: I thought that movie would be the worst movie ever made and the end of my career—but it ended up spawning six films and becoming popular all over the world. Again, I didn’t see it coming, but I sure am lucky and happy to have been part of it.
Ian Ziering and THS blogger Ruchel Freibrun
