Pia Zadora

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/wiki/Pia Zadoracreator
The undisputed master of Dull Surprise.

Pia Zadora (born Pia Alfreda Schipani on May 4, 1954) is an American actress and singer whose brief time in the spotlight brought her lasting fame -- not for her skill as a performer but as a subject of derisive humor and endless "where is she now?" speculation.

Zadora's acting career falls mainly into The Eighties, though her career goes back to The Sixties when she appeared in Santa Claus Conquers the Martians at the age of eight. Her fifteen minutes of fame ended after The Lonely Lady and she has been fully retired since The Nineties. Her last acting appearance was in an episode of Frasier. Her last TV appearance of any kind (as of this writing) was a 2020 appearance on The Jimmy Star Show with Ron Russell.

Has to her credit a Golden Globe for best newcomer. She also has no less than four Razzies to her name, including worst new star of the decade and a nomination for worst actress of the century, losing the latter "honor" to Madonna.

She was also a singer and found much more recognition and success in that field. For many years she was retired from that career as well, but in 2011-12 she made an attempt at a comeback with a touring cabaret show and several charity performances.

Tropers of a certain age may remember her from a series of commercials for the aperitif Dubonnet which were broadcast during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Pia Zadora provides examples of the following tropes:
  • As Himself: In nearly half of her (acting) film appearances and a quarter of her TV appearances she appeared "as herself" rather than portraying a character. (This doesn't count appearances in Documentary films or on Talk Shows and Reality Shows.)
  • Dull Surprise: As noted in the caption on the page image, this pretty much sums up her entire range as an actress.
  • Self-Titled Album: 1982's Pia, 1985's Pia & Phil, and 1989's Pia Z.
  • She's Got Legs: Despite being only five feet tall.
Pia Zadora has performed in the following roles:

Film

Television

Discography:
  • Pia (1982)
  • Let's Dance Tonight (1984)
  • Pia & Phil (1985)
  • I Am What I Am (1986)
  • When the Lights Go Out (1988)
  • Pia Z (1989)
  • Pia Today! (1989)
  • Only for Romantics (1983, promo only)
  • The Platinum Collection (1993)
  • All Or Nothing At All (2020)
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