Tara Donna Reid (/rd/; born November 8, 1975)[1] is an American actress and model. Her film roles in the late 1990s and 2000s established her status as a sex symbol.[2][3]

Tara Reid
Reid in 2021
Born
Tara Donna Reid

(1975-11-08) November 8, 1975 (age 49)
OccupationActress
Years active1987–present

In film, Reid is best known for her lead ensemble role as Vicky Lathum in the American Pie film series (1999–2001; 2012). Her other notable lead film roles include Urban Legend (1998), Body Shots (1999), Josie and the Pussycats (2001), Van Wilder (2002), My Boss's Daughter (2003) and Alone in the Dark (2005). She had supporting roles in the films The Big Lebowski (1998), Cruel Intentions (1999), Dr. T & the Women (2000), and Just Visiting (2001).

In television, Reid had recurring roles as Ashley on the soap opera Days of Our Lives (1995) and Danni Sullivan on the NBC series Scrubs (2003–2005). She had a co-lead role as secondary protagonist April Wexler in the Sharknado television film series (2013–2018). Reid hosted her own reality series on E!, titled Taradise (2005–2006).

Early life

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Reid in 2005
 
Reid at the premiere of American Reunion in Melbourne in 2012

Reid was born on November 8, 1975, and raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, the daughter of Donna Reid (née Bennett) (1943 — October, 21, 2018) and Thomas Reid (1940 — December, 2016),[4][5] both of whom were teachers and day-care center owners. Her father also worked on Wall Street.[6] She is of mainly Irish with some Scottish, Italian, French, Hungarian, and English descent.[7] Reid has twin younger siblings, Colleen and Patrick, and another brother, Tom.[8]

She attended Professional Children's School in Manhattan.[9]

Career

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Reid began acting at age six, becoming a regular on the game show Child's Play,[10] and appeared in over 100 commercials for corporations including Jell-O, McDonald's, Crayola, and Milton Bradley. As a teenager, she was on Saved by the Bell: The New Class.

After moving to Hollywood in 1997, Reid transitioned to movies, landing a role in 1998's The Big Lebowski. Though the film disappointed at the box office, grossing only $17 million in the U.S., it went on to become a cult classic. Later that same year, she appeared in a larger role in a more financially successful film, Urban Legend, where she portrayed a sexy radio host and which grossed just under $40 million in the US and led to two sequels, though neither included Reid. In 1999, she appeared in a tiny role in another hit, Cruel Intentions. Reid found her first taste of real mainstream success when she portrayed the role of the virginal Vickie in American Pie (1999), which grossed over $100 million in the US. The film also marked her first film to reach number one at the box office. In 2001, she reprised the role in American Pie 2, which opened to $45 million and grossed over $145 million in the US, almost 50% more than its predecessor. Reid did not return for American Wedding (2003), but did reprise the character in the fourth theatrical film in the series, American Reunion (2012).

Following the success of American Pie 2, Reid starred in a number of commercial and critical misfires, including Josie and the Pussycats and Van Wilder. She also starred as the youngest daughter of a Texas gynecologist in Robert Altman's Dr. T & the Women, alongside Richard Gere. She returned to the small screen as a recurring character on the NBC sitcom Scrubs, appearing in 11 episodes of season three. Shortly thereafter, Reid appeared alongside Ashton Kutcher in My Boss's Daughter, for which she was nominated for both Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Screen Couple at the 2004 Golden Raspberry Awards.

In 2005, she co-starred in infamous German filmmaker Uwe Boll's Alone in the Dark with Christian Slater. Her mispronunciation of "Newfoundland" became a popular Internet catchphrase. The film was panned by critics and Reid received a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress. Reid signed on to host the E!'s Wild On Tara Reid (later renamed Taradise), a program that showcased high-society vacations and hot spots.[11] The show premiered on August 10, 2005,[12] but it was cancelled in September, with Ted Harbert, E! Network's president, saying it was "incredibly difficult to produce with someone well-known."[13]

In January 2007, Reid filmed a commercial with Daniel Conn for Dodo, an Australian budget telephone and Internet service provider. Between 2007 and 2008, she starred in a number of direct-to-video films, including 7-10 Split/Strike, If I Had Known I Was a Genius (which was released at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival), and Clean Break/Unnatural Causes. She also played the main character in the made-for-television horror film Vipers. In 2010, she landed the role of Bonnie in the thriller film The Fields, which was released in 2011. In March 2011, she filmed a Funny or Die spoof trailer for The Big Lebowski 2.[14]

On August 18, 2011, Reid was the second housemate to enter the British reality series Celebrity Big Brother 8. On September 2, she received the fewest votes and became the third celebrity to be evicted from the house.[citation needed]

In September 2011, Reid announced via her official Twitter page that she was to appear in Jedward's new music video for "Wow Oh Wow",[citation needed] which they started shooting in late October of the same year. In 2014, she appeared in their music video for "Ferocious".

In 2013, she appeared in the hit Syfy film Sharknado which spawned five sequels in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Other projects Reid appeared in during the mid-2010s included comedy spoof The Hungover Games, horror film Charlie's Farm, the Bollywood film Tie the Knot, and the TV series The Big Big Show with Andrew Dice Clay and Tom Green.[15]

In 2019, Reid guest-starred as herself in an episode of The Boys where she attended a comic convention with Billy Zane.

Other ventures

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Reid has appeared on the cover of numerous magazines, including CosmoGirl, Rolling Stone, Seventeen, Maxim, Playboy, Stuff, and FHM.[16] She has appeared in television commercials for Jello, McDonald's, Dodo Australia, and Crayola.

In 2007, Reid had shares in three restaurants (Bella, Geisha House, and The Shore) and opened Ketchup, a fast-food restaurant based in Los Angeles.[17]

Reid and Ed Hardy designer Christian Audigier designed Mantra, a clothing line that hit high-end department stores in 2009. In 2014, she released a new swimwear line and a perfume, Shark by Tara, inspired by the film franchise Sharknado.[18][19]

Personal life

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Reid at the 2007 MuchMusic Video Awards

In October 2006, Reid acknowledged in an interview with Us Weekly that she had undergone liposculpting.[20] In the interview, she discusses how her plastic surgery "went wrong" and also explains why she decided to have plastic surgery done, saying that her breasts were uneven and that she wanted a "sixpack" for a new movie role. The liposuction resulted in deformity. In the same interview, Reid's new plastic surgeon, Steven Svehlak, reported that he performed a procedure called a "doughnut mastopexy" to correct her original augmentation, and performed additional liposuction in hopes of evening out her abdomen.

Relationships

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In March 2000, Reid met Carson Daly on the set of Total Request Live and they began dating.[21] They shared an apartment in New York City and Daly proposed on October 29, 2000.[21] In June 2001, Reid and Daly broke off their engagement.[22]

On January 18, 2010, Reid's boyfriend, Michael Axtmann, an Internet entrepreneur from Nuremberg, proposed to her at The Little Door restaurant in Los Angeles. The couple had reportedly planned an intimate ceremony for summer 2010.[23] On April 20, it was reported that the wedding had been called off and the relationship had ended, with a representative stating: "Tara Reid has confirmed that she will not be moving forward with her May 22 nuptials."[24]

In November 2010, Reid began dating Danish businessman Michael Lillelund. According to People, on August 14, 2011, Reid's spokesman reported that she and Lillelund had married the day before in Greece.[25] Lillelund denied it, saying he had not been in contact with Reid since February.[26]

In August 2011, Reid publicized that she had married Bulgarian financier Zachary Kehayov. In October of that year, she announced that they were not legally married.[27]

Between 2013 and 2014, Reid was dating Israeli musician Erez Eisen from the band Infected Mushroom.[28]

In 2016, Reid and actor Dean May participated in Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars, but were rejected when they were revealed not to be in a relationship.[29]

In 2017, Reid was in a relationship with business executive Ted Dhanik.[30]

Filmography

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Reid promoting American Reunion in 2012

Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1987 A Return to Salem's Lot Amanda
1998 The Big Lebowski Bunny Lebowski
Girl Cybil Grimes
I Woke Up Early the Day I Died Prom Queen / Nightclub Bartender
Urban Legend Sasha Thomas [31]
1999 What We Did That Night The Girl
Cruel Intentions Marci Greenbaum
Around the Fire Jennifer
American Pie Victoria "Vicky" Lathum
Body Shots Sara Olswang
2000 Dr. T & the Women Connie Travis
2001 Just Visiting Angelique
Josie and the Pussycats Melody Valentine [32]
American Pie 2 Victoria "Vicky" Lathum
2002 Van Wilder Gwen Pearson
2003 Devil's Pond Julianne
My Boss's Daughter Lisa Taylor
2005 Alone in the Dark Aline Cedrac
The Crow: Wicked Prayer Lola Bryne
Silent Partner Dina Nevskaya
2006 Incubus Jay [33]
2007 If I Had Known I Was a Genius Stephanie
7-10 Split/Strike Lindsay / Lil Reno
2008 Senior Skip Day Ellen Harris
Vipers Nicky Swift
Clean Break/Unnatural Causes Julia McKay
2011 The Big Lebowski 2 The Dude, Walter, Donnie, The Big Lebowski Short film
The Fields Bonnie [34]
2012 American Reunion Victoria "Vicky" Lathum
Last Call Lindsay [35]
2014 The Hungover Games Effing White
Charlie's Farm Natasha
2016 Tie the Knot Beatrice
2017 Party Bus to Hell Darby
2018 United Colors of Bennett Song Stevie Hawkins-White
Worthless Talia Medici
Ouija House Young Katherine [36]
Christmas Manger Laura
Andy the Talking Hedgehog Fairy BFF [37]
2019 American Christmas Penny
Art of the Dead Tess Barryman
2020 Attack of the Unknown Elizabeth
Baby Bulldog Dr Robertson
5th Borough Sophia Lehoux
2021 Memoirs of a Fighter Amber
Attraction to Paris Elizabeth
Mummy Dearest Angel [38]
2022 Sally Floss: Digital Detective Michelle [39]
Bleach Maria
2023 Of Things Past Kiki
Bloodthirst Vampire Queen [40]
TBA Air Force Z President Olivia Wallace [41]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1994 Saved by the Bell: The New Class Sandy Episode: "Squash It"
1995 Days of Our Lives Ashley 5 episodes
1996 California Dreams Sarah Episode: "Graduation Day"
2000 G vs E Luis' Roommate Episode: " Underworld"
2003–2005 Scrubs Danni Sullivan 11 episodes
2004 Quintuplets Ms. Foley Episode: "Teacher's Pet"
Knots Emily Television film
2005 Hitched Theresa Television film
2005–2006 Taradise Herself own Reality series
2007 Wild 'n Out 1 episode
2008 Vipers Nicky Swift Television film
2011 Celebrity Big Brother 8 (UK) Herself Reality series
2013 Fashion Police Guest
Lemon La Vida Loca Mockumentary
Tosh.0 Season 5 Worst Impressionist's web redemption
Sharknado April Wexler Television film
2014 Sharknado 2: The Second One Television film
2015 Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! Television film
2016 Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars Herself Reality series
Sharknado: The 4th Awakens April Wexler Television film
2017 Hell's Kitchen Herself Chef's table guest; Episode: "Tequila Shots?"
Sharknado 5: Global Swarming April Wexler Television film
Then and Now with Andy Cohen Herself 1 episode
Trailer Park Shark Billie Jean Television film
A Royal Christmas Ball Allison Television film
2018 The Last Sharknado: It's About Time April Wexler Television film
2019 The Boys Herself 1 episode
2nd Chance for Christmas Monica Love Television film
2020 The Wrong Cheerleader Coach Coach Hughes Television film
2023 Ghosts Herself 1 episode
Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Herself 6 episodes

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2000 Young Hollywood Awards Best Ensemble Cast American Pie Won
2001 Teen Choice Awards Choice Female Hottie Tara Reid Nominated
2004 Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Supporting Actress My Boss's Daughter Nominated
Worst Screen Couple (shared w/ Ashton Kutcher) Nominated
2006 Worst Actress Alone in the Dark Nominated

References

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  1. ^ instagram.com
  2. ^ "Tara Reid Is Not a Loser". VICE. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "Taradise Lost: Tara Reid's Sharknado Comeback". Time. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  4. ^ "Tara Reid Reveals Her Father Died in Emotional Instagram Post". December 30, 2016.
  5. ^ "Tara Reid Reveals Her Dad Died: He Was 'My Entire World'". Us Weekly. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  6. ^ Miller, Samantha; Weinstein, Fannie (August 27, 2001). "Pie's Cutie". People. 56 (9): 67–68. Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  7. ^ "TARA REID".
  8. ^ "Five questions with Tara Reid". The Bryan Times. Associated Press. April 5, 2002. p. 2. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Professional Children's School: Distinguished Alumni". Pcs-nyc.org. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
  10. ^ "13 Questions With Tara Reid". AskMen. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  11. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (September 4, 2005). "The No. 1 Network of Never-Were-Land". The New York Times. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  12. ^ "Tara Reid visits Paris and Paris". Today.com. Associated Press. August 5, 2005. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  13. ^ "INXS plans its next move; a new series gets the ax". USA Today. September 21, 2005. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  14. ^ Tara Reid talks about making her new 'Big Lebowski 2' spoof for FunnyOrDie -- EXCLUSIVE Entertainment Weekly. March 29, 2011
  15. ^ "'The Big Big Show' Cleared In 75% Of U.S." TVNewsCheck.com. March 18, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  16. ^ Everett, Cristina (December 14, 2009). "Tara Reid poses topless for Playboy magazine's 'massive double' issue". Daily News. Archived from the original on December 17, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  17. ^ "Tara Reid Pours Out Ketchup | POPSUGAR Food". Archived from the original on November 11, 2015.
  18. ^ "Tara Reid Created a Perfume Called 'Shark'". Time.
  19. ^ Sunderland, Mitchell (August 30, 2014). "Tara Reid Is Not a Loser | VICE | United States". VICE. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  20. ^ "Us Exclusive: Tara Admits to Botched Implants, Liposuction". Usmagazine.com. August 25, 2009. Archived from the original on November 12, 2006. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
  21. ^ a b Grossberg, Josh (October 31, 2000). "Sorry, Girls: Carson Daly, Tara Reid Engaged!". E! News. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  22. ^ "Carson Daly and Tara Reid Confirm Split". ABC News. July 3, 2001. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  23. ^ Cara Alwill (January 21, 2010). "Tara Reid And Boyfriend Michael Axtmann Are Engaged". MTV. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  24. ^ "Tara Reid Calls Off Wedding". People. April 20, 2010. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  25. ^ Garcia, Jennifer (August 14, 2011). "Tara Reid Marries in Greece". People. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  26. ^ "Tara Reid's 'husband' denies marrying her- MSN Starlounge Photo Gallery". Starlounge.ie.msn.com. August 15, 2011. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  27. ^ "Tara Reid engaged and married in one day". CNN. August 15, 2011. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  28. ^ "Tara Reid Declares Summer is For Singledom". October 22, 2017.
  29. ^ Elizabeth Durand Streisand (August 6, 2016). "Tara Reid and Boyfriend Admit They Lied to Get on 'Boot Camp'". usmagazine.com. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  30. ^ Multiple sources:
  31. ^ Blanks, Jamie; Englund, Robert; Gayheart, Rebecca; Devine, Loretta; Reid, Tara; Rosenbaum, Michael; Witt, Alicia (2018). A Cast of Legends. Urban Legend (Blu-ray; disc 2). Urban Legacy. Scream Factory.
  32. ^ Salud, April. "Josie and the Pussycats Rock LA Reunion Celebrating Vinyl Reissue & The Most Authentic Fake Band Ever". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  33. ^ "Review: Incubus". JoBlo. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  34. ^ Cloris Leachman and Tara Reid star in 'The Fields' Archived 2012-07-20 at archive.today
  35. ^ Tara Reid Going Back to the Bar For 'Last Call' Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine Actress Archives. 9 August 2011
  36. ^ Tara Reid and Mischa Barton summon evil in Ouija House first look. Entertainment Weekly. October 17, 2018
  37. ^ "Yes, Tara Reid's 'Hedgehog' Movie Is Real and She Thinks the Poster Is a Disaster, Too (Exclusive)". Toofab. September 20, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  38. ^ Beck, Lia (July 18, 2022). "See '00s Teen Star Tara Reid Now at 46". Best Life. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  39. ^ Norrie, Doug (February 18, 2022). "Tara Reid Cast As Lead In Bikini Contest Movie". GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  40. ^ "Blood-curdling vampire flick 'Bloodthirst' is 2021's must-see horror for Mem Ferda". Film-News.co.uk. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  41. ^ "Credit due: Tara Reid's amazing work ethic is a talent we can all admire". the Guardian. February 16, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
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