Carrere’s Career – About Tia Carrere

Tia Carrere. Born as Althea Janairo in Honolulu, Hawaii, January 2, 1967. She took her Hollywood name from what her younger sister called her, ‘Tia' - she couldn't say ‘Althea.' She picked ‘Carrere' as tribute to her idol actress Barbara Carrera. Hence, Tia Carrere.

Aside from a unique name, Tia Carrere is also known for her exotic looks. Attribute this to her mixed ancestry - she is part Hawaiian, part Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino.

As a young girl, Tia dreamt of being a famous singer. But Tia's singing lessons came to an end as a different opportunity called - acting. Tia Carrere was discovered in Waikiki's Safeway Supermarket and was cast in her first film "Aloha Summer."

Tia loved the new idea and went to Los Angeles, California. It paid of as she successfully got roles in popular TV shows like The A-Team and MacGyver. Then she got a recurring stint as a nurse in the soap General Hospital, which supported her for two years. Aside from that, Tia Carrere also appeared in Friday the 13^th, Tour of Duty, Anything but Love, and Quantum Leap. Then she got TV-movie credits - The Road Raiders, Noble House, and Fine Gold. Not so very long, these early experiences set her off ready for the big screen.

The 90's started well for her as she got roles in the films "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man" and "Showdown in Little Tokyo," where she appeared ‘nude' for the first time (although the nude body was just her double's).

She could have been in Baywatch in 1989. But she traded the role for Wayne's (Mike Myer's) hot dream girl in the comedy "Wayne's World" (1992). (Also that year, she was named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" by People Magazine.) As Cassandra, the versatile Tia Carrere showed a smart rock-chic side and everyone soon took notice. She even got to sing again, contributing her vocals to the movie and songs to the soundtrack. "Wayne's World" became such a hit that re-appeared in a sequel just a year later. Tia Carrere was Cassandra again, and then some more.

Tia acted along side famous actors as Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes in "Rising Sun" and then as Arnold Schwarzenegger's a sexy villain in "True Lies."

The beach babe just never stopped and appeared in several other films including "Treacherous" and "Hostile Intentions." She even got some more lighter-roles in comedy as in "High School High." Then, back for some more action adventure.

Tia Carrere starred, with "Hercules" (Kevin Sorbo), in "Kull the Conqueror" and then in the film "Shi (The Way of the Warrior)."

The FHM France cover girl, #69 in FHM-USA's 100 Sexiest Women (2001) and Playboy gal (2003), Tia Carrere even participated in movies for kids - Disney's "Hercules" and "Lilo and Stitch" (though she shared only her beautiful voice, not body).

In 1998, Tia Carrere became executive producer for "20 Dates" and even squeezed in a cameo appearance for the film. Aside from modeling, singing, and acting, Tia Carrere also knows how to dance (and speak French). She was in ‘Dancing with the Stars 2.' So Tia Carrere never left the television limelight. She remains a goddess of TV. Who doesn't recognize her as sultry kick-ass Sydney Fox in ‘Relic Hunter'?

She also never forgot her singing roots - she followed her not-so-successful "Dream" album with another solo, "Hawaiiana," inspired by the birth of her daughter. The album earned a surprising 2008 Grammy nomination (for Best Hawaiian Music Album) though it lost and gave way to another Danial Ho Creation. In her latest film, Tia Carrere returns to Hawaii to portray a local surfer hero afflicted with cancer.

Being a magnet for cameras, she's married to Simon Wakelin, a British photojournalist. Tia also married Lebanese-Italian Elie Samaha with whom she share the production company Phoenician Films. When not spending time in her home recording-studio, Tia Carrere does charity for Planned Parenthood. She remains resident of her celebrity home in LA.

~Ae Dechavez

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