Carmen Electra

Carmen Electra (born Tara Leigh Patrick; April 20, 1972) is an American actress, model, media personality, and singer. Known for her public image, she has been regarded as a sex symbol and pop culture icon since the late 1990s.

Born and raised in Ohio, Electra began her career as a singer after moving to Minneapolis, where she was discovered by musician Prince who produced her self-titled debut studio album (1993). She began modelling in 1996 with appearances in several issues of Playboy magazine, before relocating to Los Angeles, where she had her breakthrough portraying Lani McKenzie in the drama series Baywatch (1997–1998).

Electra later achieved further recognition for her work in parody films, including Scary Movie (2000), Scary Movie 4, Date Movie (both 2006), Epic Movie (2007), Meet the Spartans, Disaster Movie (both 2008), and Scary Movie (2026). Her other film credits include Get Over It (2001), Starsky & Hutch (2004), Cheaper by the Dozen 2, Dirty Love (both 2005), and I Want Candy (2007). On television, she hosted the MTV dating show Singled Out (1998) and co-starred with her then-husband Dave Navarro on the MTV reality series 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave (2004).

Aside from her entertainment career, Electra has authored books, launched fitness and beauty-related ventures, and appeared in various advertising campaigns. She has also occasionally worked as a dancer, most notably with The Pussycat Dolls, as a featured guest of the group on the VH1 Divas 2004 concert.

Early life and education Electra was born Tara Leigh Patrick on April 20, 1972, in Sharonville, Ohio (a Cincinnati suburb), to Harry Patrick, a guitarist and entertainer, and his wife Patricia (d. 1998), a singer. Electra attended Ann Weigel Elementary School and studied dance under Gloria J. Simpson at Dance Artists studio in Western Hills until age nine, when she enrolled in the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), a magnet arts school in the Cincinnati Public School District. There, she was an older classmate of Nick Lachey, with whom she appeared in a production of Peter Pan.

Electra, who told People in 1997 that she had "wanted to dance on Broadway", graduated from Princeton High School in Sharonville in 1990, having transferred there from SCPA two years prior. Additionally, Electra attended and graduated from Barbizon Modeling and Acting School in Cincinnati.

Electra is of Cherokee, German, and Irish descent, and was very close to her family. She said of her mother, "My mom was my rock", and described her older sister Debbie as being "like a second mother to me". After Debbie moved to Illinois, Electra said her life "revolved around my mom. She was my best friend, in my life 24/7 whether I wanted her there or not." In 1991, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she met singer and songwriter Prince. Soon after, Electra signed a recording contract with Prince's Paisley Park Records and made her singing debut with her self-titled debut studio album in 1993, and would be her only album release. During her time at Paisley Park Records, she officially became known as Carmen Electra.

In May 1996, she was featured in a nude pictorial in Playboy magazine, the first of several. Electra was featured in Playboy four more times: June 1997, December 2000, April 2003, and the January 2009 anniversary issue. She was on the cover of the last three of these issues.

Electra moved to Los Angeles, where she made her acting debut in the independent comedy horror film American Vampire (1997). In 1997 she was cast as Lani McKenzie in the American drama series Baywatch, for which she achieved her breakthrough. The role lasted a year and helped to establish her as a sex symbol, The film was a commercial success, and spawned the Scary Movie franchise which attained a cult following. Electra reprised the role of Lani McKenzie in the 2003 television film Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding.

In 2004, she appeared in the remake of the 1970s TV show Starsky & Hutch (2004), which was a commercial success. For the role, she won an MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss. Electra appeared as characters in the video game Def Jam: Fight for New York and as one of the celebrity challenges in the video game ESPN NFL 2K5, both also in 2004.

In 2005, Electra starred in the family comedy film Cheaper by the Dozen 2, which received negative reviews from critics, although it was a moderate box-office success and Electra's performance was praised, with Andrea Gronvall of The Chicago Reader writing that she was "the most winning performer of the bunch". Also in 2005, she appeared in an episode of House in which she portrayed herself as an injured golfer and farmer. That same year, she joined the voice cast of the animated series Tripping the Rift, replacing Gina Gershon as the voice of the android "Six".

In 2006 she appeared in Date Movie. She occasionally performed with The Pussycat Dolls, most notably as a featured guest of the group when they shared the stage with artists like Patti LaBelle and Debbie Harry on VH1 Divas 2004. Electra continued to appear in parody films, most notably Epic Movie in 2007, and Meet the Spartans and Disaster Movie in 2008. She was featured in some video spoofs of lonelygirl15 that advertised Epic Movie. Aside from Epic Movie, all of these films were commercial successes.

Electra appeared as a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance Season 8 on July 6, 2011. She appeared along with regular series judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy and fellow guest judge Travis Wall.

In 2012, Electra joined Britain's Got Talent as a guest judge for the auditions staged in London. She acted as a replacement for Amanda Holden, who was absent due to complications following child birth.

Public image

Electra is often spotlighted for her looks and has been considered a "sex symbol" and "pop culture icon".

Electra organized a fundraiser for Head to Hollywood, a non-profit organization which offers support to brain tumor survivors. Other charities which she supports include Elevate Hope, a charity which supports abused and abandoned children, and the HollyRod Foundation, which provides medical, physical, and emotional support to those suffering from debilitating life circumstances, especially Parkinson's disease.

She has modeled for the covers of the comic books Razor and the Ladies of London Night by London Night Studios. In 1997, Electra appeared as the face and spokesperson for Max Factor cosmetics in their television and print ads. From 2004 to 2005, she appeared in commercials for Maxim Men's Hair Color products.

In 2002, an extinct species of fly was named Carmenelectra shechisme in honor of Electra's "splendid somal structure".

In 2005, she began the Naked Women's Wrestling League, acting as the commissioner for the professional wrestling promotion. She also frequently appeared in Taco Bell commercials beginning from the same year.

In 2006, Electra signed on as the spokesmodel for Ritz Camera Centers, appearing in their television and print ads with CEO David Ritz. She is the oldest cover girl in the publication history of FHM Magazine.

In 2010, she released a line of sex toys. To promote them, Electra appeared on an episode of the reality television show The Spin Crowd and enlisted the help of Command PR, the public relations firm the program followed.

In 2019, The Golden Banana, a strip club which is located in Peabody, Massachusetts, used Electra's likeness on social media without her consent, which led her, among other celebrities whose likenesses were also used without their permission, to launch a legal battle against the establishment.

In 2020, Electra appeared on the critically acclaimed sports documentary miniseries The Last Dance, where she discussed her short-lived relationship with Dennis Rodman. Pornographic video site Pornhub reported that her name was searched on the site more than 1.7 million times, much more opposed to the 150,000 average searches her name received previously.

In 2022, Electra created an OnlyFans account, stating "I, for once, have this opportunity to be my own boss and have my own creative vision to share with my fans without someone standing over me".

Personal life

In August 1998, Electra's mother died of brain cancer, and two weeks later, her older sister, Debbie, died of a heart attack. She told WENN, "I still pray to God every night." Nine days later, Rodman filed for annulment, claiming he was of "unsound mind" when the pair wed. Electra explained, "It's easy to get caught up in a moment. You think it's romantic, but then you realize, God, we did it in Vegas? It's like getting a cheeseburger at a fast-food restaurant." In November 1999, Electra and Rodman were arrested for misdemeanor battery after police were notified of a domestic dispute at a Miami Beach hotel. They were released on $2,500 bail each and ordered to stay away from each other. The charges were eventually dropped.

Five years later, Electra gave an interview to Glamour in which she admitted that she married Rodman in 1998 in direct response to the numbing emotional pain of having lost both her mother and sister: "I was just going through the motions. I was completely numb. At the time, I was dating Dennis Rodman. He was such a fun person to be around, and we went out every night. I remember thinking, this is my out. I'm just going to have fun, and I'm not going to worry about anything. Right after my mom and sister died, I flew to Las Vegas and Dennis and I got married. I guess I was trying to cling to whatever I had. I'd lost my mom and my sister; I didn't want to lose anyone else." On July 17, 2006, she and Navarro announced their separation, and Electra filed for divorce on August 10, 2006; it was finalized on February 20, 2007.

In April 2008, Electra's representative confirmed that she was engaged to Rob Patterson, a member of the nu metal band Otep and hard rock band Filter. Despite remaining engaged for several years, the couple did not wed and in 2012, she appeared as one of the celebrity bachelorettes on the TV dating show The Choice.

In February 2024, the Los Angeles Superior Court granted Electra's petition to legally change her name from Tara Leigh Patrick to Carmen Electra.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1997 Good Burger Roxanne Uncredited American Vampire Sulka 1998 Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay Lani McKenzie Direct-to-video Starstruck Iona Shirley The Chosen One: Legend of the Raven McKenna Ray / The Raven Direct-to-video Welcome to Hollywood Herself 1999 The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human Jenny Smith Vacanze di Natale 2000 Esmeralda 2000 Scary Movie Drew Decker 2001 Sol Goode Treasure Perfume Simone Get Over It Mistress Moira 2002 Whacked! Laura 2003 Uptown Girls Celebrity My Boss's Daughter Tina 2004 Starsky & Hutch Stacey Haack Mr. 3000 Herself Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon Debbie Direct-to-video 2005 Lil' Pimp Honeysack Voice; direct-to-video Dirty Love Michelle Lopez Searching for Bobby D Rebecca Cheaper by the Dozen 2 Serena Murtaugh 2006 Date Movie Anne Scary Movie 4 Holly Hot Tamale Riley American Dreamz Herself National Lampoon's Pledge This! Direct-to-video Lolo's Cafe Desiree Voice; short film 2007 Epic Movie Mystique Full of It Herself I Want Candy Candy Fiveways Christmas in Wonderland Ginger Peachum 2008 Meet the Spartans Queen Margo Disaster Movie Beautiful Assassin Bedtime Stories Hot Girl2009 Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!! Sybil Williams2010 Barry Munday Iconic Beauty 2011 Mardi Gras: Spring BreakHerself 2014 Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Blvd at NightShort film Dragula Lisa Lap Dance Lexus 2015 Chocolate City Club DJ Book of Fire Theodora 2023 Good Burger 2 Roxanne 2026 Scary Movie Bartender Uncredited cameo

Television Year Title Role Notes 1996 Baywatch Nights Candy Episode: "Epilogue" Erotic Confessions Manager Episode: "At the Tone" 1997 Singled Out Herself Recurring co-host (season 3) Loveline Co-host; episode: "September 10, 1997" Rock N' Jock B-Ball Jam Host Mad TV Guest host; episode: "Episode #3.2" Just Shoot Me! Episode: "King Lear Jet" All That Sue Episode: "Dru Hill" Pacific Blue Lani McKenzie Episode: "Heartbeat" 1997–1998 Baywatch Main cast (season 8)1998 Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular Herself Episode: "Episode #1.12" Two Guys and a Girl Isabella Episode: "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Delivery" Soldier of Fortune, Inc. Tanya Episode: "Spyder's Web" Hyperion Bay Sarah Hicks Recurring cast 2000 The Drew Carey Show Herself Episode: "Drew Live II" 2000–2004 Hollywood Squares Recurring panelist 2001 MTV Fashionably Loud: Spring Break, Cancun 2001 Host 2001 World Music Awards Co-host You Don't Know Jack... About MonsterFest 2001, 2003 Wild On! Episodes: "Wild on Spring Break 2001" & "Wild on Hollywood Nights"2002 Off Centre Episode: "Unflushable" The Simpsons Voice; episode: "The Frying Game" BattleBots Host (season 4–5) 2003 Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding Lani McKenzie Television film Good Day L.A.Herself Guest co-host; episode: "March 10, 2003" Doggy Fizzle Televizzle Episode: "Episode #1.6" Dance Fever Judge King of the Hill Angela Voice; episode: "Boxing Luanne" Greetings from Tucson Rosa Episode: "The First Time" Eve Zan Episode: "The Talk" 2004 The Sharon Osbourne Show Herself Guest co-host; episode: "February 9, 2004" 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave Punk'd Episode: "Episode #3.5" ManhuntHost Monster IslandTelevision film 30 Days Until I'm Famous Pauline Monk Chloe Blackburn Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Panic Room" Method & Red Kerry Norris Episode: "Dogs" 2004–2007 Naked Women's Wrestling League Herself Main host 2005 Tripping the Rift Six Voice; main cast (season 2) Rent Control Audrey Television film Hope & Faith Herself Episode: "Carmen Get It" American Dad! Lisa Silver Voice; episode: "Escape From Pearl Bailey" Getting Played Lauren Television film Fat Actress Herself Episode: "Charlie's Angels" House Episode: "Three Stories" Summerland Mona Recurring cast (season 2) Stacked Nikki Episode: "Darling Nikki" 2005 World Music AwardsHerself Co-host 2005–2006 Joey Guest cast (season 1–2) 2007 Phenomenon Episode: "Premiere"2008 Party Monsters Cabo Episode: "Carmen Electra" 2009 Keeping Up with the Kardashians Episode: "Kourt's First Cover" Billboard's New Year's Eve Live Host Reno 911! Miss Uecker Episode: "VHS Transfer Memory Lane"2010 Back Nine Judy Television film The Spin CrowdHerself Episode: "Hungry for Love"Perfect CatchHost 2011 RuPaul's Drag Race Guest judge; episode: "RuPaul-a-Palooza" So You Think You Can Dance Guest judge; episode: "Top 14 Perform" 2012 Britain's Got Talent Guest judge; season 6 auditions 2-Headed Shark Attack Anne Babish Television film 90210 Vesta Episode: "Hate 2 Love" & "902–100" The Choice Herself Episode: "Episode #1.4" 2013 Ridiculousness Episode: "Carmen Electra" What Would Ryan Lochte Do? Episode: "What Would Ryan Lochte Do... In Hollywood?" Suburgatory Episode: "Go, Gamblers!" 2014 Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? Episode: "Pill Popper" Sing Your Face Off Guest judge; episode: "Episode #1.6" Franklin & Bash Bridget Barnes Episode: "Honor Thy Mother"The Eric Andre ShowHerselfEpisode: "The Hannibal Buress Show" The Birthday Boys Myrtle Episode: "Love Date Hump" 2015 Dance MomsHerself Episode: "Episode #5.31" & "#5.33" 2016 Ex Isle Host Hollywood Medium Episode: "Omarosa/Ashley Hamilton/RJ Mitte/Carmen Electra" FABLife Guest co-host; episode: "Episode #1.143" & "#1.154" Jane the Virgin Episode: "Chapter Fifty-One" 2017 Worst Cooks in America Contestant (season 11) 2018 Whose Line Is It Anyway? Episode: "Carmen Electra" Alone Together Tia Episode: "Flashback" 2019 Through the Keyhole Herself Episode: "Rob Beckett, Alfie Boe, Lucy Fallon" 2020 The Last Dance Episode: "Episode IV & X" 2021 The Celebrity Dating Game Episode: "Tyson Beckford and Carmen Electra" Hell's Kitchen Restaurant patron; episode: "Hell Hath No Fury..." 2022 Domino Masters Guest host; episode: "Playoffs: Water Worlds" 2024 That '90s Show Episode: "Hold My Hand" 2026 Nation's Dumbest 4 episodes

Video games

Music videos Year Title Artist 2000 "No Matter What They Say" Lil' Kim "The Inevitable Return of the Great White Dope" Bloodhound Gang 2001 "Girls, Girls, Girls" Jay-Z 2006 "ACDC" Joan Jett 2009 "LA Girls" Mams Taylor "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" The Pussycat Dolls 2010 "No Love" Filter 2015 "Thoughts" Black Lodge 2025 "SHE DON'T NEED TO KNOW" The Kid Laroi

Documentary Year Title 1995 Liebe in Hollywood 1997 Playboy: Cheerleaders 1998 Playboy: Celebrities 1999 Hollywood: Wild in the Streets 2001 Playboy Exposed: Playboy Mansion Parties Uncensored 2002 Cleavage 2003 Playboy: Celebrity Photographers 2004 My Date with Drew G-Phoria 2006 Playboy: Celebrity Centerfolds 2012 Sunset Strip 2013 Out in the Desert 2014 The Ultimate Wedding Planner Operation Bobbi Bear 2022 Finding Sandler

Discography Studio albums Title Album details Carmen Electra Released: February 9, 1993 Label: Paisley Park Records, Warner Bros. Records

Singles Year Song Album 1991 "Shhh!" 1992 "Go Go Dancer" Carmen Electra 1993 "Everybody Get On Up""Fantasia Erotica" 1998"Fun"2012"I Like It Loud"2013"Bigger Dick" (feat. Mams Taylor)2014"WERQ""Around the World"