Tia Carrere
Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo[1] (born January 2, 1967),[2] known professionally as Tia Carrere (/kəˈrɛərə/), is an American actress, singer and former model who got her first big break as a regular on the daytime soap opera General Hospital.
Tia Carrere | |
---|---|
Carrere in September 2009 | |
Born | Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo January 2, 1967 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
Occupation | Actress, voice actress, singer, model |
Years active | 1985–present |
Spouse(s) | |
Children | 1 |
Musical career | |
Genres | Hawaiian |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1992–present |
Labels | Daniel Ho Creations |
Associated acts | Daniel Ho |
Website | www |
She played Cassandra Wong in the feature films Wayne's World and Wayne's World 2; Juno Skinner in True Lies; Nani Pelekai in the Lilo & Stitch films and TV series; Queen Tyr'ahnee in Duck Dodgers; Richard Lewis's girlfriend, Cha Cha, in Curb Your Enthusiasm; and starred as Sydney Fox in the television series Relic Hunter, as well as Lady Danger opposite RuPaul in Netflix's AJ and the Queen. She appeared as a contestant in the second season of Dancing with the Stars and the fifth season of The Celebrity Apprentice. In addition to acting, she has won two Grammy Awards for her music.
Early life
Carrere was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.[1] She is the daughter of Audrey Lee Janairo, a computer supervisor, and Alexander Janairo, a banker.[1][3] According to Carrere, she is of Chinese, Filipino and Spanish ancestry.[4]
Carrere attended Sacred Hearts Academy, an all-girls school. She longed to be a singer as a child.[5] Though she was eliminated during the first round of her 1985 Star Search appearance at the age of 17, she was spotted by a local producer while shopping at a Waikiki grocery store and was cast in the movie Aloha Summer.[6]
Film and television career
Following this success, Carrere returned to Los Angeles, and after working several months as a model, landed her first role in the American television series Airwolf in early 1985. Her first major breakthrough was in the daytime soap opera General Hospital. She played the role of Jade Soong Chung from 1985 to 1987. She also had a guest appearance on Tour of Duty and The A-Team, which was supposed to lead to her joining the cast; her General Hospital obligations, however, prevented her from joining the team. Her character was dropped after one episode, and was never mentioned again. She also made guest appearances on the shows MacGyver ("The Wish Child") as a karate instructor, and a different assassin character in a later episode ("Murderer's Sky"), on Anything but Love as the adopted daughter of Marty Gold (Richard Lewis), and on Married... with Children as Piper Bauman, a rival of Kelly Bundy, who attempted to steal a modeling job from her.
After appearing in the 1991 action films Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man and Showdown in Little Tokyo, she emerged into the public spotlight when cast as Cassandra, a rock singer and love interest of Mike Myers's character, Wayne Campbell, in Wayne's World (1992), a role she reprised the next year in Wayne's World 2. A trained singer, Carrere performed all of her own songs in the first film, and the Wayne's World soundtrack features her vocals. She turned down a role in Baywatch to audition for Wayne's World. In 1992, People named her to its annual "50 most beautiful people" list.
Other roles in prominent films include the parts of wealthy smuggler Juno Skinner in True Lies, a 1994 Arnold Schwarzenegger action film; a mixed African-Japanese computer expert in Rising Sun, a thriller co-written for the screen by Michael Crichton and based on his novel, starring Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes; robber Gina Walker in The Immortals in 1995; and secretary Victoria Chappell in High School High, a 1996 parody. She also starred as Ari, a space marine turned pirate, in the 1995 adventure/puzzle game The Daedalus Encounter. She also starred as the evil witch/queen in the 1997 Universal Films picture Kull the Conqueror, co-starring versus Kevin Sorbo, and starred in late-'90s M&M's commercials as herself. At the end of the decade, she was cast as Ana Ishikawa in the motion picture of the comic book character Shi, but the film wasn't concreted.[7]
From 1999 to 2002, Carrere starred as archeology professor Sydney Fox in Relic Hunter, a syndicated action-adventure series strongly reminiscent of the Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider films and video games. At this time, Carrere was featured in the men's magazine Maxim. Relic Hunter lasted for a total of three contracted television seasons. Carrere then provided the voice of Lilo's sister Nani in the animated film Lilo & Stitch (2002) and its spinoffs, as well as the voice of Queen Tyr'ahnee from the 2003 Duck Dodgers animated series. She also provided the voice of Snookie in the 2005 animated film Aloha, Scooby-Doo![8]
She participated as a contestant on the popular reality show Dancing with the Stars, and eventually placed sixth overall. Carrere later participated in the fifth season of The Celebrity Apprentice, but her "apprenticeship" to Donald Trump, the "boss" of the show, was terminated in that season's fifth week.
Carrere posed nude for the January 2003 issue of Playboy. The photos were republished in the German December 2006 issue of the magazine. She has appeared as a guest star on a number of television shows, including Back to You, Nip/Tuck, and Warehouse 13. She has also appeared in several episodes of season six of Curb Your Enthusiasm as Richard Lewis's girlfriend. In 2020, Carrere began a regular role as Lady Danger on the Netflix series AJ and the Queen.[9]
Music career
Carrere has continued to nurture her singing career. In 1993, her first solo album, Dream, produced by Matt Prinz, was released, and went platinum in the Philippines. That same year, she was featured on the soundtrack of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, performing the ending theme, "I Never Even Told You". Her second album, Hawaiiana, was released in June 2007 and takes Carrere back to her Hawaiian roots with four-time Grammy Award-winning record producer Daniel Ho accompanying her on classic solo slack-key guitar and ukulele. The album was nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award under the category Best Hawaiian Music Album.[10]
In 2009, she acted as co-host for the pre-Grammy Awards telecast online event alongside Wayne Brady.[11] She won a Grammy Award in 2009 for her third album 'Ikena, which was also produced by Ho, and was a finalist in 2010 for He Nani, the third album she had recorded with Ho as her producer. In 2011, she won another Grammy Award (Best Hawaiian Music Album) for her album Huana Ke Aloha.
Personal life
Carrere married film producer Elie Samaha in 1992.[6] Samaha and Carrere divorced in February 2000.[12]
On November 30, 2002, she married photojournalist Simon Wakelin. They have a daughter. On April 2, 2010, Carrere filed for divorce in person at Los Angeles County Superior Court. According to court documents she cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce and asked for sole physical custody of their daughter.[13] Their divorce was finalized in August 2010, with the two of them reportedly sharing custody of their daughter.[14] She lives in Los Angeles.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1987 | Zombie Nightmare | Amy | |
1988 | Aloha Summer | Lani | Acting debut[Note 1] |
1989 | Fine Gold | Stella | |
1990 | Enemy | Mai Chang | Direct-to-video |
1991 | Showdown in Little Tokyo | Minako Okeya | |
1991 | Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man | Kimiko | |
1992 | Wayne's World | Cassandra | |
1992 | Little Sister | Adrienne | |
1993 | Rising Sun | Jingo Asakuma | |
1993 | Quick | Janet Sakamoto | Direct-to-video |
1993 | Treacherous | Dr. Jessica Jamison | Direct-to-video |
1993 | Wayne's World 2 | Cassandra Wong | |
1994 | True Lies | Juno Skinner | |
1995 | Jury Duty | Monica | |
1995 | The Immortals | Gina Walker | Direct-to-video also Associate Producer |
1995 | Hostile Intentions | Nora | Direct-to-video |
1996 | Hollow Point | Diane Norwood | |
1996 | High School High | Victoria Chapell | |
1996 | Natural Enemy | Christina | Direct-to-video |
1997 | Kull the Conqueror | Akivasha | |
1997 | Top of the World | Rebecca Mercer | |
1998 | Scar City | Candy | |
1998 | 20 Dates | Herself (uncredited) | Executive Producer |
1999 | My Teacher's Wife | Vicky Mueller | |
1999 | Five Aces | Karen Haggerty | Direct-to-video |
1999 | If...Dog...Rabbit | Direct-to-video, Co-Executive Producer | |
2000 | Merlin: The Return | Dr. Joan Maxwell | |
2002 | Lilo & Stitch | Nani Pelekai (voice role) | |
2002 | Meet Prince Charming | Samantha Feld | |
2003 | Stitch! The Movie | Nani Pelekai (voice role) | Direct-to-video |
2005 | Aloha, Scooby-Doo! | Snookie (voice role) | Direct-to-video |
2005 | Back in the Day | Loot | Direct-to-video |
2005 | Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch | Nani Pelekai (voice role) | Direct-to-video |
2006 | Leroy & Stitch | Nani Pelekai (voice role) | Direct-to-video |
2008 | Dark Honeymoon | Miranda | Direct-to-video |
2009 | Wild Cherry | Ms. Jane Haumea | |
2010 | Hard Breakers | Jodie | |
2011 | You May Not Kiss the Bride | Lani | |
2012 | Collision Course | Kate Parks | |
2013 | Final Recourse | Michelle Gaines | also Associate Producer |
2014 | Gunshot Straight | Leanne | Direct-to-video |
2015 | Pirates Code: The Adventures of Mickey Matson | Kelly | |
2015 | Behind Palm Swings | Cherry Bomb | Short film |
2015 | Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest | Jezebel Jade (voice role) | Direct-to-video |
2016 | Business Unusual | Ella | Short film |
2016 | Showdown in Manila | Mrs. Catherine Wells | |
2016 | The Girl | Mother | |
2017 | Palm Swings | Ms. Cherry Bomb | |
2018 | The Legend of Hallowaiian | Nana (voice role) | Direct-to-video |
TBR | Felo de se | Kirsty |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1985 | Cover Up | Philippines Contestant | Episode: "Who's Trying to Kill Miss Globe?" |
1985 | Covenant | Girl at Golden Calf | Television movie |
1985 | Airwolf | Kiki Tinabi | television debut Episode: "Annie Oakley" |
1985-1986 | General Hospital | Jade Soong | recurring role; 16 episodes |
1986 | The A-Team | Tia | Episode: "The Sound of Thunder" |
1986 | MacGyver | Lisa Chan | Episode: "The Wish Child" |
1987-1988 | The New Hollywood Squares | Herself (Panelist) | 4 episodes |
1987 | Tour of Duty | Lang | Episode: "Dislocations" |
1988 | Noble House | Venus Poon | Television Miniseries; 4 episodes |
1988 | MacGyver | Tiu | Episode: "Murderer's Sky" |
1989 | The Road Raiders | Cyanne | Television movie |
1989 | Anything But Love | Cey | Episode: "Those Lips, Those Thais" |
1990 | Friday the 13th: The Series | Michiko Tanaka | Episode: "Year of the Monkey" |
1990 | Quantum Leap | Chu-Hoi | Episode: "The Leap Home: Part 2 (Vietnam)" |
1990 | Married...with Children | Piper Bauman | Episode: "Kelly Bounces Back" |
1991 | Intimate Stranger | Mina | Television movie |
1992 | Tales from the Crypt | Scarlett | Episode: "On a Deadman's Chest" |
1995 | Nothing But the Truth | Simone Gideon | Television movie |
1995-1996 | Murder One | Beverly Nichols | recurring role; 3 episodes |
1996 | Desert Breeze | unknown role | Television movie |
1997 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Mija (voice role) | Episode: "The Little Mermaid" |
1998 | Dogboys | District Attorney Jennifer Dern | Television movie |
1998 | Veronica's Closet | Kim | Episode: "Veronica's on the Herb" |
1998 | Hercules | Marigold (voice role) | Episode: "Hercules and the Golden Touch" |
1999 | The Night of the Headless Horseman | Katrina Van Tassel (voice role) | Television movie |
1999-2002 | Relic Hunter | Sydney Fox | Protagonist; 66 episodes |
2000-2001 | Hollywood Squares | Herself (Panelist) | 15 episodes |
2001 | The Test | Herself (Panelist) | Episode: "The Libido Test" |
2003-2005 | Duck Dodgers | Queen Tyr'ahnee - The Martian Queen (voice role) | series regular; 20 episodes |
2003-2006 | Lilo & Stitch: The Series | Nani Pelekai (voice role) | series regular; 18 episodes |
2004 | Johnny Bravo | Herself/additional voices (voice role) | recurring role; 4 episodes |
2004 | Megas XLR | Darklos (voice role) | Episode: "DMV: Department of Megas Violations" |
2004 | Torn Apart | Vicki Westin | Television movie |
2005 | Supernova | Lisa Delgado | Television movie |
2005 | American Dragon: Jake Long | Yan Yan (voice role) | Episode: "Fu and Tell" |
2006 | The O.C. | Dean Torres | Episode: "The Gringos" |
2006 | Dancing with the Stars | Herself (contestant) | 8 episodes |
2007 | Back to You | Maggie | Episode: "A Night of Possibilities" |
2007 | Nip/Tuck | Mistress Dark Pain | Episode: "Carly Summers" |
2007 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Cha Cha | recurring role; 3 episodes |
2008 | Untitled Liz Meriwether Project | Paula Poland | Television movie |
2009 | CSI: Miami | Jacqueline Parsons | Episode: "Bolt Action" |
2010 | Warehouse 13 | Agent Katie Logan | 2 episodes |
2010 | Iron Chef America: The Series | Herself (Guest Judge) | Episode: "Michael Symons vs. Makoto Okuwa: Uni" |
2011 | True Justice | Lisa Clayton | 2 episodes |
2011 | Combat Hospital | Jessica Draycott | Episode: "It's My Party" |
2011-2013 | Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated | Amy Cavenaugh/Judy Reeves (voice role) | series regular; 14 episodes |
2012 | In Plain Sight | Lia Hernandez | recurring role; 4 episodes |
2012 | The Apprentice | Herself (Contestant) | 14 episodes |
2013 | The Birthday Boys | Herself | Episode: "Cool Machine" |
2014 | Asteroid vs Earth | Marissa Knox | Television movie |
2014 | Uncle Grandpa | Island Girl (voice role) | Episode: "Vacation" |
2015 | Hawaii Five-0 | Makana Kalakauna | 2 episodes |
2016 | Family Guy | Hawaiian Woman (voice role) | Episode: "An App a Day" |
2017 | Mickey and the Roadster Racers | Auntie Olina (voice role) | 3 episodes |
2017 | Blue Bloods | Chow Lin | Episode: "The Enemy Of My Enemy" |
2018 | Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters | Officer Santos/Mechanica (voice role) | 3 episodes |
2019 | Dollface | Teresa | Episode: "Fun Friend" |
2020 | AJ and the Queen | Lady Danger | Series Regular |
2020 | The Eric Andre Show | Herself |
Video games
Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1995 | The Daedalus Encounter | Ari Matheson | |
2006 | Saints Row | Lin | |
2013 | Saints Row IV | Lin | Cut content |
Discography
Dancing with the Stars
Season 2 performances
Week # | Dance / Song | Judges' scores | Result | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Inaba | Goodman | Tonioli | |||
1 | Waltz / "What a Wonderful World" | 6 | 7 | 7 | Bottom two |
2 | Rumba / "Emotion" | 7 | 8 | 7 | Safe |
3 | Tango / "Por una Cabeza" | 9 | 8 | 9 | Safe |
4 | Foxtrot / "Dream a Little Dream of Me" | 9 | 8 | 8 | Bottom two |
5 | Samba / "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" | 7 | 7 | 8 | Eliminated |
Group Salsa / "Rhythm is Gonna Get You" | No scores given |
Awards and nominations
The following is a list of awards and nominations received by Carrere
Year | Title | Accolade | Category | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1992 | Wayne's World | MTV Movie + TV Award | Most Desirable Female | Nominated | [19] |
1994 | N/A | ShoWest Convention Award | Female Star of Tomorrow | Won | |
1995 | True Lies | MTV Movie + TV Award | Best Dance Sequence (shared with Arnold Schwarzenegger) | Nominated | |
1995 | True Lies | Saturn Award | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | |
2001 | Relic Hunter | ALMA Award | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Syndicated Drama Series | Nominated | |
2006 | Back in the Day | DVD Exclusive Award | Best Supporting Actress in a DVD Premiere Movie | Nominated | |
2007 | Hawaiiana | Grammy Award | Best Hawaiian Music Album | Nominated | |
2008 | Ikena | Grammy Award | Best Hawaiian Music Album | Won | |
2009 | He Nani | Grammy Award | Best Hawaiian Music Album | Nominated | |
2010 | Huana Ke Aloha | Grammy Award | Best Hawaiian Music Album | Won |
Notes
- Aloha Summer was filmed in 1984.
References
- "Tia Carrere". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- "UPI Almanac for Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019". United Press International. January 2, 2019. Archived from the original on September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
actor Tia Carrere in 1967 (age 52)
- "Tia Carrere Biography (1965—)". Film Reference.
- Vancheri, Barbara (August 6, 1993). "From 'Wayne's World' to 'Sun'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania. Retrieved October 4, 2017 – via The Hutchinson News.
- Beruschy, Brian (May 20, 2007). "Introducing Tia Carrere: Hawaiian Songstress and Fan of B on Hawaii". B on Hawaii. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- Brady, James (June 4, 1995). "In Step with Tia Carrere". Parade. Toledo Blade. p. 26. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- "TMe: SHI movie set for Spring 2000 release". Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- Mattern, Joanne (August 15, 2010). Hawaii: Past and Present. The Rosen Publishing Group. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-4358-9479-2. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
- "Tia Carrere Says New Villainous Role On 'AJ & The Queen' Is A Part She's Always Wanted To Play". www.msn.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- Spencer, Ashley. "What Happened to 'Wayne's World' Star Tia Carrere?". Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- "Tia Carrere – Grammy Fascinating Fact: – Contactmusic News". www.contactmusic.com. February 8, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
- "Tia Carrere Gives Birth to Baby Girl". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- "Tia Carrere Files For Divorce". TMZ.com. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
- "'Wayne's' star finalizes divorce". Toronto Sun. August 19, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- "hawaiiana". Tia Carrere. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- "'ikena". Tia Carrere. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- "He Nani". Tia Carrere. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- "Huana Ke Aloha". Tia Carrere. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- "Tia Carrere". IMDb. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tia Carrere. |