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Show Born: Born Althea Janairo in 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Personal: Married Elie Samahain 1992. Films: Include Zombie Nightmare, 1987; Aloha Summer, 1988; Fatal Mission, 1990; Instant Karma, 1990; Showdownin Little Tokyo, 1991; Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, 199; Wayne's World,1992; Wayne's World 2, 1993; Rising Sun, 1993; True Lies, 1994; Jury Duty, 1995; Learning Curve, 1995, TV Series: Include General Hospital, 1983-85; Married...With Children, 1990. TV Movies: Include James Claveil's Noble House, 1988; The Road Raiders, 1989; Fine Gold, 1990. Album: Dream, 1993. ADAMS COVER ANDINSIDE PHOTOGRAPHBY EDDIE N THOSE EXUBERANTLY vulgar Wayne’s World flicks, Tia Carrere played a heavymetal “babe.”In Rising Sun with Sean Connery, she was a brainy computer-graphics whiz. In Arnold Schwarzenegger’s True Lies, she was a villain. And Tia was in Montreal recently, filming a movie for her own production company and working with those extraordinary actors Donald Sutherland and John Lithgow. How was it going? “Right now I'm on my lunch break, sitting in front of a plate oflentils,” she said. “Andit’s freezing.” So much for the legendary glamourof being a moviestar. If the notion of an American “melting pot”still needs any defense, I urge you to consider Ms. Carrere, who is, she told me,“part Hawaiian, part Chinese, part Spanish, part Filipino.I'm a real mix.” And her name, Tia, what nationality is that? “My first name's Althea,” she said, “but my little sister couldn't say Althea, andit came outTia.” The Carrere part is made up—adifferently spelled tribute to a mid-list ac- tress named Barbara Carrera. The“discovery” of Tia Carrere sounds so “Hollywood,”I Tia has been married for a hadto askif it were true. couple of years Absolutely, said Tia. She was to Elie Samaha, still a studentin a Catholic high a Los Angeles schoolin her native Hawaii when businessman 11 she was discovered in a grocery years older than store by this nice couple whose she is. He’s into estate,clubs, son,it turned out, was aboutto real restaurants, dry start shooting a coming-of-age cleaning, you movie called Aloha Summerand nameit, and now needed a youngactress, That got is working with it started. “I could swim,but I’d her at making neversurfed,” Tia said, “and I films. “He always wanted to do couldn’t do the hula. I learned movies,” Tia while making the movie.” After- said. | had read ward,she added,“I put the mon- that on the set ey in mypocket along with my of Rising Sun, SAG[Screen Actors Guild] card Sean Connery andtook off for L.A.” After a few sang ancient Irish songs, months, Tia wona regular role on entertaining the GeneralHospital. The film wasn’t crew and keeping releaseduntil five years later.) things relaxed. “From Catholic school to “Ves,” Tia said. General Hospitalin less than a “You know, when comesinto a year”is how she remembers it. he room,there’s a Andin between, she modeled. palpable pause. “I'm 5 feet 8, andit was better There’s a ‘wow!” than waitressing. You're 17 or Vet he doesn't 18, and they’re paying you $150 wear a crown of royalty or or $300 an hour.It’s not bad.” anything. He's ‘This summer,Tiawill be seen just an everyday ina moviecalled Learning Curve, sort of guy, but in which she tutors a teen who the classiest needshelpgetting into Harvard, everyday guy played by Jason London.“We you ever saw.” While in Quebec, sort of cross paths,” Tia said, “and Tia was working my characterreally needs help on her French, too.” Talking of crossed paths, and we pariezed Tia recalled an appearance with alittle, and! can those wacky Bundys on Married tell you sheisn’t ...With Children. “I was so excit- bad, But with all adventures, ed whenI gotthat job,” she re- her the actress has called.“It’s so off-the-wall. The never been to part was for a model competing Paris. “Donald with Kelly Bundy. It was written Sutherland lived for a Swedishgirl. But I got it.” there years ago,” uppose they came to her with she said, “and he’s beentelling a proposal for a third Wayne's me all about it, World? Would shedoit, or has andit's got to she outgrown those “babe”roles? be a next stop.” “Thefirst Wayne’s World was What's coming wonderful,”she said.“The sec- up? “There are offers,” ond was bigger and more ex- some said Tia, “but you pensive. Asfar as I know,there’s can't do your notalk ofa No. 3. I think every- best work when one has movedon.” you're exhausted. So hasTia. In a dazzling dis- i might just take play of versatility, she also re- a break.” What children? corded an album. Andit sold! about Are she and Elie Hermusical role models? Barbra planning a Streisand and Linda Ronstadt. family? “I have a How does she keep in shape baby,” she said, for all this? “I work out almost “a 100-pound every day,” she said. “There’s baby.” What? It's a dog. “An Akita an indoor pool up here [Mon- named Dante,” treal], but the biggest thing for she explained. meis cardiovascular workouts. “You know, after They're the important part.” IR Dante's /nferno,.” PAGE 26 JUNE 4, 1995 » PARADE MAGAZINE |
