Jump to content

Tara Reid

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the actress. For the woman who accused Joe Biden of sexual assault, see Tara Reade.

Tara Reid
Reid at GalaxyCon Des Moines in 2025
Born
Tara Donna Reid

(1975-11-08) November 8, 1975 (age 50)
Wyckoff, New Jersey, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1987–present

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

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

[edit]

Reid was born on November 8, 1975, and raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, the daughter of Donna Reid (née Russo) (February 27, 1947 — October 20, 2018) and Thomas Reid (March 2, 1941 — December 30, 2016),[4][5] both of whom were teachers and day-care center owners. Her father also worked on Wall Street.[5] She is of mainly Irish with some Scottish, Italian, French, Hungarian, and English descent. Reid has twin younger siblings, Colleen and Patrick, and another brother, Tom.[6]

She attended Professional Children's School in Manhattan.[7]

Career

[edit]
Reid in 2005

Reid began acting at age six.[8] She appeared in the game show Child's Play and appeared in commercials for Jell-O, McDonald's, Crayola, and Milton Bradley. As a teenager, she was on Saved by the Bell: The New Class.[9]

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 United States, it became a cult film. 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 United States and led to two sequels, though neither included Reid. In 1999, she appeared in a tiny role in Cruel Intentions. Reid achieved mainstream success when she portrayed the role of the virginal Vickie in American Pie (1999), which grossed over $100 million in the United States. 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 United States, 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 several 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, she 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.[10] The show premiered on August 10, 2005,[11] but it was cancelled in September, with Ted Harbert, E! Network's president, saying it was "incredibly difficult to produce with someone well-known."[12]

Reid at the premiere of American Reunion in Melbourne in 2012

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 several 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 television 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.[13]

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 October 2011, Reid appeared in Jedward's music video for "Wow Oh Wow".[14] 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 television 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.

In 2023, she appeared in 2 episodes of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.[16]

Other ventures

[edit]
Reid at the 2007 MuchMusic Video Awards

Reid has appeared on the cover of magazines including CosmoGirl, Rolling Stone, Seventeen, Maxim, Playboy,[17] Stuff, and FHM.

In 2007, Reid was invested in three restaurants (Bella, Geisha House, and The Shore) and opened Ketchup, a fast-food restaurant based in Los Angeles.[18]

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.[19][2]

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Jedward moved in with Tara Reid in Los Angeles.[20]

Relationships

[edit]

Reid is not married and does not have children, which she says negatively affected her career. She froze her eggs in 2021.[21]

In March 2000, Reid met Carson Daly on the set of Total Request Live and they began dating.[22] They shared an apartment in New York City and Daly proposed on October 29, 2000.[22] In June 2001, Reid and Daly broke off their engagement.[23]

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.[24] On April 20, it was reported that the wedding had been called off and the relationship had ended.[25]

In November 2010, Reid began dating Danish businessman Michael Lillelund. Reid's spokesman reported that she and Lillelund had married the day before in Greece.[26] Lillelund denied it, saying he had not been in contact with Reid in months.[27]

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 2015, she dated Aaron Kaufman; he was fired as an executive of Blue Shield of California and sued by the company after he allegedly spent $100,000 of personal expenses, including trips with Reid, on his company credit card.[29]

In 2016, Reid and actor Dean May participated in Marriage Boot Camp, but were rejected when they were revealed not to be in a relationship.[30]

In September 2019, she began dating Nathan Montpetit-Howar, a music producer.[31]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
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 [32]
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 [33]
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 [34]
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 [35]
2012 American Reunion Victoria "Vicky" Lathum
Last Call Lindsay [36]
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 [37]
Christmas Manger Laura
Andy the Talking Hedgehog Fairy BFF [38]
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 [39]
2022 Sally Floss: Digital Detective Michelle [40]
Bleach Maria
2023 Of Things Past Kiki
Bloodthirst Vampire Queen [41]
2025 Dr. Quarantine Dr. Quarantine [42]
TBA Air Force Z President Olivia Wallace [43]

Television

[edit]
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
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
2015 Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!
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
2018 The Last Sharknado: It's About Time April Wexler
2019 The Boys Herself 1 episode
2nd Chance for Christmas Monica Love Television film
2020 The Wrong Cheerleader Coach Coach Hughes
2023 Ghosts Herself 1 episode
Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Herself 2 episodes

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2000 Young Hollywood Awards Best Ensemble Cast American Pie Won [44]
2001 Teen Choice Awards Choice Female Hottie — Nominated [45]
2004 Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Supporting Actress My Boss's Daughter Nominated [46]
Worst Screen Couple (shared w/ Ashton Kutcher) Nominated
2006 Worst Actress Alone in the Dark Nominated [47]
2025 Chandler International Film Festival Best Actress Dr. Quarantine Won [48][49]
Spotlight Award —[a] Won [49]
Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival Best Actress Dr. Quarantine Won [42][50]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The award was given to Reid for "significant contributions to the film industry".[48][49]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ instagram.com
  2. ^ a b "Tara Reid Is Not a Loser". Vice. August 31, 2014.
  3. ^ Lansky, Sam (July 30, 2014). "Taradise Lost: Tara Reid's Sharknado Comeback". Time.
  4. ^ "Tara Reid Reveals Her Father Died in Emotional Instagram Post". December 30, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Webber, Stephanie (December 30, 2016). "Tara Reid Reveals Her Dad Died: He Was 'My Entire World'". Us Weekly.
  6. ^ "Five questions with Tara Reid". The Bryan Times. Associated Press. April 5, 2002. p. 2.
  7. ^ "Professional Children's School: Distinguished Alumni". Professional Children's School. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010.
  8. ^ VanHoose, Benjamin (June 2, 2023). "Tara Reid Says She Was 'Punished' for Having 'Great Time' in Her Youth: 'I Never Did Anything Wrong'". People.
  9. ^ "TARA REID". Tribute.
  10. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (September 4, 2005). "The No. 1 Network of Never-Were-Land". The New York Times.
  11. ^ "Tara Reid visits Paris and Paris". Today. Associated Press. August 5, 2005.
  12. ^ "It's closing time". Chicago Tribune. August 22, 2021.
  13. ^ Collis, Clark (March 29, 2011). "Tara Reid talks about making her new 'Big Lebowski 2' spoof for FunnyOrDie -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly.
  14. ^ "Jedward shoot video with Tara Reid". RTÉ. October 31, 2011.
  15. ^ "Tara Reid". Rotten Tomatoes.
  16. ^ Gordon, Meredith (September 24, 2025). "'American Pie' Star Tara Reid, 49, Shares Recent 'Glow Up'". Parade.
  17. ^ Renfro, Kim (September 28, 2017). "The 21 most famous women to ever appear on Playboy's cover". Business Insider.
  18. ^ Balla, Lesley (March 15, 2007). "You Need a Lot of Tomatoes to Make Ketchup: Tara Reid, Restaurant Investor". Eater.
  19. ^ Stampler, Laura (July 31, 2014). "Tara Reid Created a Perfume Called 'Shark'". Time.
  20. ^ "Jedward are quarantining in LA with American Pie actress Tara Reid". TheJournal.ie. May 21, 2020.
  21. ^ VanHoose, Benjamin (June 29, 2021). "Tara Reid Says She Froze Her Eggs in Case She Wants Kids Someday: 'Very Comfortable Where I'm at'". People.
  22. ^ a b Grossberg, Josh (October 31, 2000). "Sorry, Girls: Carson Daly, Tara Reid Engaged!". E! News.
  23. ^ "Carson Daly and Tara Reid Confirm Split". ABC News. July 3, 2001.
  24. ^ "Michael Axtmann, Tara Reid Call Off Wedding". CBS News. April 21, 2010.
  25. ^ "Tara Reid Calls Off Wedding". People. April 20, 2010.
  26. ^ Garcia, Jennifer (August 14, 2011). "Tara Reid Marries in Greece". People.
  27. ^ a b "Tara Reid says her Greek wedding wasn't real". Today. Us Weekly. October 25, 2011.
  28. ^ "Tara Reid Declares Summer is For Singledom". In Touch Weekly. October 22, 2017.
  29. ^ Terhune, Chad (April 24, 2015). "In suit, Blue Shield cites extravagant spending by fired executive". Los Angeles Times.
  30. ^ Streisand, Elizabeth Durand (August 6, 2016). "Tara Reid and Boyfriend Admit They Lied to Get on 'Boot Camp'". Us Weekly.
  31. ^ Fernández, Alexia (September 5, 2019). "Tara Reid Is Instagram Official with Boyfriend Nathan Montpetit-Howar as They Vacation in Mexico". People.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ Salud, April. "Josie and the Pussycats Rock LA Reunion Celebrating Vinyl Reissue & The Most Authentic Fake Band Ever". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  34. ^ "Review: Incubus". JoBlo. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  35. ^ Cloris Leachman and Tara Reid star in 'The Fields'
  36. ^ Tara Reid Going Back to the Bar For 'Last Call' Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine Actress Archives. 9 August 2011
  37. ^ Tara Reid and Mischa Barton summon evil in Ouija House first look. Entertainment Weekly. October 17, 2018
  38. ^ "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.
  39. ^ Beck, Lia (July 18, 2022). "See '00s Teen Star Tara Reid Now at 46". Best Life. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  40. ^ Norrie, Doug (February 18, 2022). "Tara Reid Cast As Lead In Bikini Contest Movie". GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  41. ^ "Blood-curdling vampire flick 'Bloodthirst' is 2021's must-see horror for Mem Ferda". Film-News.co.uk. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  42. ^ a b "HRIFF 2025 Award Winners". Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival. Archived from the original on May 12, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  43. ^ "Credit due: Tara Reid's amazing work ethic is a talent we can all admire". the Guardian. February 16, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  44. ^ "2000 Young Hollywood Awards". Awards & Winners. Archived from the original on May 12, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  45. ^ Stopera, Matt (February 3, 2023). "Here's What The 'Hottest Girl' Looked Like From 1999–2018; Like, There Literally Were Nominees And An Award". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  46. ^ "24th Annual Golden Raspberry (RAZZIE®) Award Nominations" (Press release). Razzies.com. March 18, 2004. Archived from the original on January 28, 2004. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  47. ^ Gibson, Ellie (January 31, 2006). "Boll nominated for Razzie". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  48. ^ a b "CIFF Winners: 2025". Chandler International Film Festival. Archived from the original on May 12, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  49. ^ a b c Reid, Tara [@tarareid] (March 5, 2025). "I won! So proud to announce that I won Best Actress for my role in Dr. Quarantine at the Chandler International Film Festival! (...)". Archived from the original on May 12, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025 – via Instagram. Meta Platforms.
  50. ^ Reid, Tara [@tarareid] (March 9, 2025). "I got good news! we did it, we won again. Best actress for Hollywood Film Festival (...)". Archived from the original on May 12, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025 – via Instagram. Meta Platforms.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tara_Reid&oldid=1321381100"