Carmen Electra
Saturday, September 27, 2008Posted by
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A stunning, sexy star with an enviable array of dance moves who has built an increasingly high-profile career primarily on her considerable erotic appeal while maintaining a nice-girl-next-door persona, Carmen Electra effectively transformed herself from pop star protégé and Playboy model into a pop culture phenomenon.
The petite brunette with the arresting eyes was born Tara Patrick in the suburbs of Cincinnati and began preparing for show biz early, taking dance classes as early as age five and dreaming of hoofing on Broadway....
Comments (0)
Filmography
Beyond Legend, Johnny Kakota - ( Jackie Mankiller / / Announced / )
Havana Heat - ( Rachel Ramirez / / Announced / )
Mardi Gras - ( - Cast / 2009 / Lensing/Awaiting Release / )
Christmas in Wonderland - ( Ginger Peachum / 2007 / Lensing/Awaiting Release / )
Joe Head Goes Hollywood - ( Herself / / Lensing/Awaiting Release / )
Joe Head Goes Hollywood - ( Guest Starring(Herself) / / Lensing/Awaiting Release / )
Searching for Bobby DeNiro - ( / / Lensing/Awaiting Release / )
Disaster Movie - ( Beautiful Assassin / 2008 / Released / )
Meet the Spartans - ( Queen Margo / 2008 / Released / )
Epic Movie - ( Mystique / 2007 / Released / )
Full of It - ( Herself / 2007 / Released / Arclight Films Pty Ltd. )
I Want Candy - ( Candy / 2007 / Released / )
American Dreamz - ( - Herself / 2006 / Released / )
Date Movie - ( Anne / 2006 / Released / )
Getting Played - ( / 2006 / Released / )
Scary Movie 4 - ( Holly / 2006 / Released / )
Cheaper by the Dozen 2 - ( Sarina Murtaugh / 2005 / Released / )
Dirty Love - ( Michelle / 2005 / Released / )
Lil' Pimp - ( Voice of Honeysack / 2005 / Released / )
Starsky & Hutch - ( Staci / 2004 / Released / )
My Boss's Daughter - ( Tina / 2003 / Released / )
Uptown Girls - ( Celebrity / 2003 / Released / )
Whacked! - ( / 2003 / Released / )
Perfume - ( Simone / 2002 / Released / )
Get Over It - ( Mistress Moira / 2001 / Released / )
Scary Movie - ( Drew / 2000 / Released / )
Vacanze di Natale 2000 - ( / 2000 / Released / )
An American Vampire Story - ( / 1999 / Released / )
The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human - ( The Female / 1999 / Released / )
The Legend of the Raven: Chosen One - ( / 1998 / Released / )
Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay - ( / 1997 / Released / )
TV Credits
Hollywood Residential ( 2008 / Released ): Actor
Saturday Night's Main Event ( 2008 / Released ): Actor
Guys Choice ( 2007 / Released ): Actor
Phenomenon ( 2007 / Released ): Actor
The 2007 ESPY Awards ( 2007 / Released ): Actor
The 2006 American Music Awards ( 2006 / Released ): Actor
The 2006 Billboard Music Awards ( 2006 / Released ): Actor
The 2006 Teen Choice Awards ( 2006 / Released ): Actor
American Dad ( 2005 / Released ): Voice
American Top 40 Live ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
AutoRox ( 2005 / Released ): Host
Denis Leary's Merry F#%$in Christmas ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
Fashion Rocks ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
Fat Actress ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
Rent Control ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
Stacked ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
The 2005 American Music Awards ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
The 2005 Billboard Music Awards ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
Video Game Awards 2005 ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
World Music Awards 2005 ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
House ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
InStyle Greatest Celebrity Weddings ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Joey ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model ( 2004 / Released ): Host
Marital Blitz ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Method & Red ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Monster Island ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Reel Comedy: Starsky & Hutch ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Summerland ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Leaving Playa Linda ( 2005 )
TV Episode Mona
The Pleiades ( 2005 )
TV Episode Mona
Mr. & Mrs. Who ( 2005 )
TV Episode Mona
Sledgehammer ( 2005 )
TV Episode Mona
I Am the Walrus ( 2005 )
TV Episode Mona
The 2004 MTV Movie Awards ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Thirty Days Until I'm Famous ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Tripping the Rift ( 2004 / Released ): Voice
Six, Lies & Videotape ( 2005 )
TV Episode of Six
Chode’s Near Death Experience ( 2005 )
TV Episode of Six
Creaturepalooza ( 2005 )
TV Episode of Six
Chode and Bobo's High School Reunion ( 2005 )
TV Episode of Six
Santa Clownza ( 2005 )
TV Episode of Six
( 8 more)
VH1 Divas ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
A Kid Rock Christmas ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Baywatch Hawaiian Wedding ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Dance Fever ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Eve ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Hope & Faith ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Maxim Hot 100 ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Party with Spike World Premiere Special ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Punk'd ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
The 2003 Billboard Music Awards ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
The Osbourne Family Christmas Special ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Greetings From Tucson ( 2002 / Released ): Actor
JKX: The Jamie Kennedy Experiment ( 2002 / Released ): Actor
Monk ( 2002 / Released ): Actor
Sol Goode ( 2002 / Released ): Actor
VH1 Big in 2002 Awards ( 2002 / Released ): Actor
MTV20: Live and Almost Legal ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
Off Centre ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
The 2001 World Music Awards ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
The 28th Annual American Music Awards ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
The Andy Dick Show ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
The Test ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
Banned in America: The World's Sexiest Commercials 2 ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
BattleBots ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
Canned Ham: Scary Movie ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
Starstruck ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
The 2000 Teen Choice Awards ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
The 1999 ESPY Awards ( 1999 / Released ): Actor
The 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards ( 1999 / Released ): Actor
Turn Ben Stein On ( 1999 / Released ): Actor
Hyperion Bay ( 1998 / Released ): Actor
Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular ( 1998 / Released ): Actor
Just Shoot Me ( 1997 / Released ): Actor
King of the Hill ( 1997 / Released ): Voice
The 19th Annual CableACE Awards ( 1997 / Released ): Actor
Pacific Blue ( 1996 / Released ): Actor
Singled Out ( 1995 / Released ): Actor
The Drew Carey Show ( 1995 / Released ): Actor
The Simpsons ( 1990 / Released ): Voice
Baywatch ( Released ): Actor
Malcolm and Eddie ( Released ): Actor
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place ( Released ): Actor
Full Biography
A stunning, sexy star with an enviable array of dance moves who has built an increasingly high-profile career primarily on her considerable erotic appeal while maintaining a nice-girl-next-door persona, Carmen Electra effectively transformed herself from pop star protégé and Playboy model into a pop culture phenomenon.
The petite brunette with the arresting eyes was born Tara Patrick in the suburbs of Cincinnati and began preparing for show biz early, taking dance classes as early as age five and dreaming of hoofing on Broadway. He parents supported her by enrolling her in a performing arts school, and immediately upon her graduation in 1990 she relocated to Los Angeles. Dancing in an L.A. nightclub she caught the eye of a talent scout and landed an audition with the hugely successful pop singer Prince (actually, at that point, the Artist Formally Known as Prince), who was looking to assemble an all-girl rap group for his record label. Although he didn't tap her for the group, Prince later wrote a song for her demo album and rechristened her as Carmen Electra ("You look like a Carmen," he told her, reportedly thinking of the Bizet opera and adding the heroine of the Greek tragedy as her new surname). Although she flopped with her eponymous 1992 debut album (produced by her purple-minded mentor) but later scored in 1996 by baring it all for the pages of Playboy and racking up guest spots on several TV series, including a stint on "Baywatch Nights."
After succeeding raucous former Playmate Jenny McCarthy as co-host of MTV's popular dating game show "Singled Out" in the spring of 1997 (she also had a brief stint co-hosting the video network's late night sex and dating advice show "Loveline" that same year, she was tapped to fill the void left by a departing Pamela Anderson on the syndicated "Baywatch" that fall, sizzling in her red bathing suit for one season as Lani McKensie, despite some swimming difficulties. While "Baywatch" prompted Electra's pop cultural "babe quotient" go through the roof, the overcrowded cast left little room for Electra the actress to hone her performing skills. After leaving the series, she would go on to guest star—often as herself—in several popular TV series, including "The Simpsons," "Just Shoot Me," "The Drew Carey Show" and "Mad TV." She also starred in her first film, the C-grade thriller "The Chosen One: Legend of the Raven" (1998) as a Native American (Electra is of Irish, German, and Cherokee descent) whose is possessed by a supernatural force of good, unleashing powers and an unquenchable sexual energy--Despite its many flaws, the film made the most of Electra's gift for gyration and her decided lack of inhibition when it came to nudity.
By 1998, Electra had veered into Zsa Zsa Gabor territory as a Hollywood persona that was known less for her body of work than her body, becoming a regular fixture on the covers and in photo layouts of the then-fresh wave of "laddie" magazines such as Maxim, Stuff and FHM. When her clothes were kept on, her outlandish wardrobe and heavy makeup frequently landed her on many publications' worst-dressed lists. However, that year her erratic, on-again, off-again relationship with the outlandish and eccentric NBA star Dennis Rodman would earn her the most notoriety: the couple was married in a spur-of-the-moment Las Vegas ceremony, but days later Rodman announced he was intoxicated at the time and filed for an annulment. The couple subsequently reconciled but then had a very public physical altercation that resulted in their arrests in Miami and the ultimate dissolution of their five-month union, which had been a staple of many a late night talk show monologue.
As her personal life turned into a media circus, her professional life was gaining momentum: In an attempt to save the struggling "Hyperion Bay" series, The WB brought Electra aboard in January 1999 as a cutthroat, eager-to-claw-her-way-to-the-top vixen, moving away from the earnest exploration of thorny relationship issues in favor of lots of lingerie (and an occasional plot). Her efforts, however, were in vain as the network ceased production on the series after the producers fulfilled the initial order. She also appeared opposite Mackenzie Astin in the little seen but surprisingly entertaining indie comedy "The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human" (1999) as part of a couple whose relationship is studied by alien observers. The actress would be cast in her most high-profile role--one which showcased her willingness to tweak her own image--when she played a lingerie-clad slasher victim Drew Decker (a satire of Drew Barrymore's "Scream" role) in the comedy "Scary Movie" (2000). She also appeared in a trimmed-down cameo as the whip-wielding dominatrix Mistress Moira in the teen-skewing comedy "Get Over It" (2001).
Roles in a slate of lesser films—"Sol Goode" (2001), "Whacked!" (2002), "Rent Control" (2002) and the long-delayed bomb "My Boss' Daughter" (2003), which was released solely because of Ashton Kutcher's burgeoning popularity—followed before the actress spent a season as a sideline correspondent on Comedy Central's robot vs. robot competition "Battlebots" in 2002. She again donned her red swimsuit for the reunion telepic "Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding" (NBC, 2003), posed for a second top-selling Playboy shoot and had a cameo as a Hollywood celebrity in "Uptown Girls" (2003). Meanwhile, she continued to generate interest in her personal life, with a lengthy and public engagement to Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chilli Peppers guitarist Dave Navarro (the couple married in November 2003, with the entire wedding process and ceremony filmed for broadcast by MTV on the 2004 series "Till Death Do Us Part"), a glamorous makeover, her own strip aerobics DVD and a headlining association with the hot Hollywood dance troupe the Pussycat Dolls, a retro-burlesque-style collection of the music industry's top dancers, choreographers and celebrity guest performers (including Christina Applegate, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Charlize Theron, Jaime Pressly and Pamela Anderson).
Next for the actress was a turn opposite Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson in the 2004 big-screen comedy version of the 1970s cop drama "Starsky & Hutch." After voicing Honeysack in the cheapie animated comedy, “Lil’ Pimp” (2005), and appearing in the little known romantic comedy “Dirty Love” (2005), Electra joined the original cast for the sequel, “Cheaper By the Dozen” (2005), starring Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt as the overburdened parents of a family of twelve. Meanwhile, she spent 2005 working on more projects, including “Nothing But the Truth” (lensed 2005), a teenage comedy about a 17-year-old habitual liar who wakes up one day to suddenly discover all his lies have come true, and, of course, “Scary Movie 4” (2006), the latest installment to the inexplicably successful horror-comedy franchise, supplying a bit of toilet humor in a spoof on M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village” (2004).
Profession(s):
Actor, model, dancer, singer
Sometimes Credited As:
Tara Leigh Patrick
Family
father:Harry Patrick
husband:Dave Navarro (Former guitarist for Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers; began dating in mid-2001; married Nov. 22, 2003; documented their courtship and marriage in an MTV reality show, "Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave"; announced separation in July 2006; divorce finalized in February 2007)
husband:Dennis Rodman (Born in 1961; married Nov. 14, 1998 in Las Vegas, Nevada; Rodman sought an annullment the same day, claiming he was drunk at time of marriage; Electra filed for divorce in April 1999; divorced)
mother:Patricia Patrick (Born c. 1937; died of a brain tumor in 1998)
sister:Debbie Patrick (Born c. 1958; suffered fatal heart attack in 1998)
Companion(s)
B Real , Companion , ```..Lead vocalist of the Latino hip-hop band Cypress Hill; together from 1995 to 1998
Fred Durst , Companion , ```..Reportedly dated in summer 1999; no longer together
Prince (Prince) , Companion , ```..Born in 1958; together in the early 1990s
Rob Patterson , Companion , ```..Former member of the nu-metal band Otep; toured with the band Korn from 2005-2008; engaged April 2008
Sean Lewis , Companion , ```..No longer together
Education
School for Creative and Performing Arts Cincinnati, Ohio
Princeton High School Sharonville, Ohio
Awards
MTV Movie Award Best Kiss "Starsky & Hutch" 2004
Milestones
2007 Appeared in the comedy spoof, "Epic Movie"
2006 Cast in the comedy spoof of romantic movies, "Date Movie"
2005 Co-starred with Eugene Levy, as husband and wife in "Cheaper by the Dozen 2"
2004 Featured in the big screen adaption of the 70's cop series "Starsky & Hutch"
2004 Served as the host of Bravo's "Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model"
2003 With Dave Navarro, documented their courtship and upcoming wedding in MTV's "Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave"
2001 Had a cameo role in the comedy film, "Get Over It"
2000 Posed for the December issue of Playboy magazine
1999 Joined the cast of the WB's "Hyperion Bay" as Sarah Hicks
1998 Acted in the straight-to-video, "Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay"
1997 Succeeded Jenny McCarthy as co-host of the MTV game show "Singled Out"
1997 - 1998 Portrayed lifeguard Lani McKensie on "Baywatch" (syndicated); hired to fill void left by departure of Pamela Anderson
1996 Posed nude for Playboy magazine; appeared in the video "Playboy Cheerleaders"
1996 Appeared on MTV's "Loveline"
1994 Moved to Los Angeles to pursue a TV career; landed a guest spot on the syndicated series, "Baywatch Nights"
1992 Signed by Paisley Park Records (Prince's label); released debut album Carmen Electra
1990 Met Prince, when she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota
Earned money as a model for Target department stores
Served as spokesperson for Budweiser
The petite brunette with the arresting eyes was born Tara Patrick in the suburbs of Cincinnati and began preparing for show biz early, taking dance classes as early as age five and dreaming of hoofing on Broadway....
Comments (0)
Filmography
Beyond Legend, Johnny Kakota - ( Jackie Mankiller / / Announced / )
Havana Heat - ( Rachel Ramirez / / Announced / )
Mardi Gras - ( - Cast / 2009 / Lensing/Awaiting Release / )
Christmas in Wonderland - ( Ginger Peachum / 2007 / Lensing/Awaiting Release / )
Joe Head Goes Hollywood - ( Herself / / Lensing/Awaiting Release / )
Joe Head Goes Hollywood - ( Guest Starring(Herself) / / Lensing/Awaiting Release / )
Searching for Bobby DeNiro - ( / / Lensing/Awaiting Release / )
Disaster Movie - ( Beautiful Assassin / 2008 / Released / )
Meet the Spartans - ( Queen Margo / 2008 / Released / )
Epic Movie - ( Mystique / 2007 / Released / )
Full of It - ( Herself / 2007 / Released / Arclight Films Pty Ltd. )
I Want Candy - ( Candy / 2007 / Released / )
American Dreamz - ( - Herself / 2006 / Released / )
Date Movie - ( Anne / 2006 / Released / )
Getting Played - ( / 2006 / Released / )
Scary Movie 4 - ( Holly / 2006 / Released / )
Cheaper by the Dozen 2 - ( Sarina Murtaugh / 2005 / Released / )
Dirty Love - ( Michelle / 2005 / Released / )
Lil' Pimp - ( Voice of Honeysack / 2005 / Released / )
Starsky & Hutch - ( Staci / 2004 / Released / )
My Boss's Daughter - ( Tina / 2003 / Released / )
Uptown Girls - ( Celebrity / 2003 / Released / )
Whacked! - ( / 2003 / Released / )
Perfume - ( Simone / 2002 / Released / )
Get Over It - ( Mistress Moira / 2001 / Released / )
Scary Movie - ( Drew / 2000 / Released / )
Vacanze di Natale 2000 - ( / 2000 / Released / )
An American Vampire Story - ( / 1999 / Released / )
The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human - ( The Female / 1999 / Released / )
The Legend of the Raven: Chosen One - ( / 1998 / Released / )
Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay - ( / 1997 / Released / )
TV Credits
Hollywood Residential ( 2008 / Released ): Actor
Saturday Night's Main Event ( 2008 / Released ): Actor
Guys Choice ( 2007 / Released ): Actor
Phenomenon ( 2007 / Released ): Actor
The 2007 ESPY Awards ( 2007 / Released ): Actor
The 2006 American Music Awards ( 2006 / Released ): Actor
The 2006 Billboard Music Awards ( 2006 / Released ): Actor
The 2006 Teen Choice Awards ( 2006 / Released ): Actor
American Dad ( 2005 / Released ): Voice
American Top 40 Live ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
AutoRox ( 2005 / Released ): Host
Denis Leary's Merry F#%$in Christmas ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
Fashion Rocks ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
Fat Actress ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
Rent Control ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
Stacked ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
The 2005 American Music Awards ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
The 2005 Billboard Music Awards ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
Video Game Awards 2005 ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
World Music Awards 2005 ( 2005 / Released ): Actor
'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
House ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
InStyle Greatest Celebrity Weddings ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Joey ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model ( 2004 / Released ): Host
Marital Blitz ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Method & Red ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Monster Island ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Reel Comedy: Starsky & Hutch ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Summerland ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Leaving Playa Linda ( 2005 )
TV Episode Mona
The Pleiades ( 2005 )
TV Episode Mona
Mr. & Mrs. Who ( 2005 )
TV Episode Mona
Sledgehammer ( 2005 )
TV Episode Mona
I Am the Walrus ( 2005 )
TV Episode Mona
The 2004 MTV Movie Awards ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Thirty Days Until I'm Famous ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
Tripping the Rift ( 2004 / Released ): Voice
Six, Lies & Videotape ( 2005 )
TV Episode of Six
Chode’s Near Death Experience ( 2005 )
TV Episode of Six
Creaturepalooza ( 2005 )
TV Episode of Six
Chode and Bobo's High School Reunion ( 2005 )
TV Episode of Six
Santa Clownza ( 2005 )
TV Episode of Six
( 8 more)
VH1 Divas ( 2004 / Released ): Actor
A Kid Rock Christmas ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Baywatch Hawaiian Wedding ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Dance Fever ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Eve ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Hope & Faith ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Maxim Hot 100 ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Party with Spike World Premiere Special ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Punk'd ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
The 2003 Billboard Music Awards ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
The Osbourne Family Christmas Special ( 2003 / Released ): Actor
Greetings From Tucson ( 2002 / Released ): Actor
JKX: The Jamie Kennedy Experiment ( 2002 / Released ): Actor
Monk ( 2002 / Released ): Actor
Sol Goode ( 2002 / Released ): Actor
VH1 Big in 2002 Awards ( 2002 / Released ): Actor
MTV20: Live and Almost Legal ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
Off Centre ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
The 2001 World Music Awards ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
The 28th Annual American Music Awards ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
The Andy Dick Show ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
The Test ( 2001 / Released ): Actor
100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
Banned in America: The World's Sexiest Commercials 2 ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
BattleBots ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
Canned Ham: Scary Movie ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
Starstruck ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
The 2000 Teen Choice Awards ( 2000 / Released ): Actor
The 1999 ESPY Awards ( 1999 / Released ): Actor
The 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards ( 1999 / Released ): Actor
Turn Ben Stein On ( 1999 / Released ): Actor
Hyperion Bay ( 1998 / Released ): Actor
Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular ( 1998 / Released ): Actor
Just Shoot Me ( 1997 / Released ): Actor
King of the Hill ( 1997 / Released ): Voice
The 19th Annual CableACE Awards ( 1997 / Released ): Actor
Pacific Blue ( 1996 / Released ): Actor
Singled Out ( 1995 / Released ): Actor
The Drew Carey Show ( 1995 / Released ): Actor
The Simpsons ( 1990 / Released ): Voice
Baywatch ( Released ): Actor
Malcolm and Eddie ( Released ): Actor
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place ( Released ): Actor
Full Biography
A stunning, sexy star with an enviable array of dance moves who has built an increasingly high-profile career primarily on her considerable erotic appeal while maintaining a nice-girl-next-door persona, Carmen Electra effectively transformed herself from pop star protégé and Playboy model into a pop culture phenomenon.
The petite brunette with the arresting eyes was born Tara Patrick in the suburbs of Cincinnati and began preparing for show biz early, taking dance classes as early as age five and dreaming of hoofing on Broadway. He parents supported her by enrolling her in a performing arts school, and immediately upon her graduation in 1990 she relocated to Los Angeles. Dancing in an L.A. nightclub she caught the eye of a talent scout and landed an audition with the hugely successful pop singer Prince (actually, at that point, the Artist Formally Known as Prince), who was looking to assemble an all-girl rap group for his record label. Although he didn't tap her for the group, Prince later wrote a song for her demo album and rechristened her as Carmen Electra ("You look like a Carmen," he told her, reportedly thinking of the Bizet opera and adding the heroine of the Greek tragedy as her new surname). Although she flopped with her eponymous 1992 debut album (produced by her purple-minded mentor) but later scored in 1996 by baring it all for the pages of Playboy and racking up guest spots on several TV series, including a stint on "Baywatch Nights."
After succeeding raucous former Playmate Jenny McCarthy as co-host of MTV's popular dating game show "Singled Out" in the spring of 1997 (she also had a brief stint co-hosting the video network's late night sex and dating advice show "Loveline" that same year, she was tapped to fill the void left by a departing Pamela Anderson on the syndicated "Baywatch" that fall, sizzling in her red bathing suit for one season as Lani McKensie, despite some swimming difficulties. While "Baywatch" prompted Electra's pop cultural "babe quotient" go through the roof, the overcrowded cast left little room for Electra the actress to hone her performing skills. After leaving the series, she would go on to guest star—often as herself—in several popular TV series, including "The Simpsons," "Just Shoot Me," "The Drew Carey Show" and "Mad TV." She also starred in her first film, the C-grade thriller "The Chosen One: Legend of the Raven" (1998) as a Native American (Electra is of Irish, German, and Cherokee descent) whose is possessed by a supernatural force of good, unleashing powers and an unquenchable sexual energy--Despite its many flaws, the film made the most of Electra's gift for gyration and her decided lack of inhibition when it came to nudity.
By 1998, Electra had veered into Zsa Zsa Gabor territory as a Hollywood persona that was known less for her body of work than her body, becoming a regular fixture on the covers and in photo layouts of the then-fresh wave of "laddie" magazines such as Maxim, Stuff and FHM. When her clothes were kept on, her outlandish wardrobe and heavy makeup frequently landed her on many publications' worst-dressed lists. However, that year her erratic, on-again, off-again relationship with the outlandish and eccentric NBA star Dennis Rodman would earn her the most notoriety: the couple was married in a spur-of-the-moment Las Vegas ceremony, but days later Rodman announced he was intoxicated at the time and filed for an annulment. The couple subsequently reconciled but then had a very public physical altercation that resulted in their arrests in Miami and the ultimate dissolution of their five-month union, which had been a staple of many a late night talk show monologue.
As her personal life turned into a media circus, her professional life was gaining momentum: In an attempt to save the struggling "Hyperion Bay" series, The WB brought Electra aboard in January 1999 as a cutthroat, eager-to-claw-her-way-to-the-top vixen, moving away from the earnest exploration of thorny relationship issues in favor of lots of lingerie (and an occasional plot). Her efforts, however, were in vain as the network ceased production on the series after the producers fulfilled the initial order. She also appeared opposite Mackenzie Astin in the little seen but surprisingly entertaining indie comedy "The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human" (1999) as part of a couple whose relationship is studied by alien observers. The actress would be cast in her most high-profile role--one which showcased her willingness to tweak her own image--when she played a lingerie-clad slasher victim Drew Decker (a satire of Drew Barrymore's "Scream" role) in the comedy "Scary Movie" (2000). She also appeared in a trimmed-down cameo as the whip-wielding dominatrix Mistress Moira in the teen-skewing comedy "Get Over It" (2001).
Roles in a slate of lesser films—"Sol Goode" (2001), "Whacked!" (2002), "Rent Control" (2002) and the long-delayed bomb "My Boss' Daughter" (2003), which was released solely because of Ashton Kutcher's burgeoning popularity—followed before the actress spent a season as a sideline correspondent on Comedy Central's robot vs. robot competition "Battlebots" in 2002. She again donned her red swimsuit for the reunion telepic "Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding" (NBC, 2003), posed for a second top-selling Playboy shoot and had a cameo as a Hollywood celebrity in "Uptown Girls" (2003). Meanwhile, she continued to generate interest in her personal life, with a lengthy and public engagement to Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chilli Peppers guitarist Dave Navarro (the couple married in November 2003, with the entire wedding process and ceremony filmed for broadcast by MTV on the 2004 series "Till Death Do Us Part"), a glamorous makeover, her own strip aerobics DVD and a headlining association with the hot Hollywood dance troupe the Pussycat Dolls, a retro-burlesque-style collection of the music industry's top dancers, choreographers and celebrity guest performers (including Christina Applegate, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Charlize Theron, Jaime Pressly and Pamela Anderson).
Next for the actress was a turn opposite Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson in the 2004 big-screen comedy version of the 1970s cop drama "Starsky & Hutch." After voicing Honeysack in the cheapie animated comedy, “Lil’ Pimp” (2005), and appearing in the little known romantic comedy “Dirty Love” (2005), Electra joined the original cast for the sequel, “Cheaper By the Dozen” (2005), starring Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt as the overburdened parents of a family of twelve. Meanwhile, she spent 2005 working on more projects, including “Nothing But the Truth” (lensed 2005), a teenage comedy about a 17-year-old habitual liar who wakes up one day to suddenly discover all his lies have come true, and, of course, “Scary Movie 4” (2006), the latest installment to the inexplicably successful horror-comedy franchise, supplying a bit of toilet humor in a spoof on M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village” (2004).
Profession(s):
Actor, model, dancer, singer
Sometimes Credited As:
Tara Leigh Patrick
Family
father:Harry Patrick
husband:Dave Navarro (Former guitarist for Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers; began dating in mid-2001; married Nov. 22, 2003; documented their courtship and marriage in an MTV reality show, "Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave"; announced separation in July 2006; divorce finalized in February 2007)
husband:Dennis Rodman (Born in 1961; married Nov. 14, 1998 in Las Vegas, Nevada; Rodman sought an annullment the same day, claiming he was drunk at time of marriage; Electra filed for divorce in April 1999; divorced)
mother:Patricia Patrick (Born c. 1937; died of a brain tumor in 1998)
sister:Debbie Patrick (Born c. 1958; suffered fatal heart attack in 1998)
Companion(s)
B Real , Companion , ```..Lead vocalist of the Latino hip-hop band Cypress Hill; together from 1995 to 1998
Fred Durst , Companion , ```..Reportedly dated in summer 1999; no longer together
Prince (Prince) , Companion , ```..Born in 1958; together in the early 1990s
Rob Patterson , Companion , ```..Former member of the nu-metal band Otep; toured with the band Korn from 2005-2008; engaged April 2008
Sean Lewis , Companion , ```..No longer together
Education
School for Creative and Performing Arts Cincinnati, Ohio
Princeton High School Sharonville, Ohio
Awards
MTV Movie Award Best Kiss "Starsky & Hutch" 2004
Milestones
2007 Appeared in the comedy spoof, "Epic Movie"
2006 Cast in the comedy spoof of romantic movies, "Date Movie"
2005 Co-starred with Eugene Levy, as husband and wife in "Cheaper by the Dozen 2"
2004 Featured in the big screen adaption of the 70's cop series "Starsky & Hutch"
2004 Served as the host of Bravo's "Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model"
2003 With Dave Navarro, documented their courtship and upcoming wedding in MTV's "Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave"
2001 Had a cameo role in the comedy film, "Get Over It"
2000 Posed for the December issue of Playboy magazine
1999 Joined the cast of the WB's "Hyperion Bay" as Sarah Hicks
1998 Acted in the straight-to-video, "Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay"
1997 Succeeded Jenny McCarthy as co-host of the MTV game show "Singled Out"
1997 - 1998 Portrayed lifeguard Lani McKensie on "Baywatch" (syndicated); hired to fill void left by departure of Pamela Anderson
1996 Posed nude for Playboy magazine; appeared in the video "Playboy Cheerleaders"
1996 Appeared on MTV's "Loveline"
1994 Moved to Los Angeles to pursue a TV career; landed a guest spot on the syndicated series, "Baywatch Nights"
1992 Signed by Paisley Park Records (Prince's label); released debut album Carmen Electra
1990 Met Prince, when she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota
Earned money as a model for Target department stores
Served as spokesperson for Budweiser
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