Rhonda Honey Shear (born November 12, 1954) is an American television personality, comedienne, actress, and entrepreneur. She is known for her role as a host in the 1990s

USA Network USA Network (or simply USA) is an American basic cable television channel owned by the NBCUniversal Media Group division of Comcast's NBCUniversal. It was launched in 1977 as Madison Square Garden Sports Network, one of the first national sports ...

's weekend

B movie A B movie, or B film, is a type of cheap, low-budget commercial motion picture. Originally, during the Classical Hollywood cinema, Golden Age of Hollywood, this term specifically referred to films meant to be shown as the lesser-known second ...

show, '' USA Up All Night''. In 2001, she started an intimate apparel business that was marketed on

Home Shopping Network HSN, Inc. an initialism of its former name Home Shopping Network, is an American free-to-air television network owned by the QVC Group (formerly Qurate Retail Group), which also owns Catalog merchant, catalog company Cornerstone Brands. It is ...

(HSN), with one of her most successful products being the Ahh Bra in 2010. She is a regular participant in Tampa Bay's annual Fashion Week events.

Early life

Shear was born in

New Orleans New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...

Louisiana Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...

. She attended Loyola University, earning a

Bachelor of Arts A Bachelor of Arts (abbreviated B.A., BA, A.B. or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is the holder of a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the liberal arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts deg ...

degree in

communications Communication is commonly defined as the transmission of information. Its precise definition is disputed and there are disagreements about whether Intention, unintentional or failed transmissions are included and whether communication not onl ...

. After graduating from Loyola in 1977, she moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in Hollywood.

Career

Modeling, hosting, and acting

Shear earned titles in several

beauty contest A beauty pageant is a competition in which the contestants are judged and ranked based on various physical and mental attributes. Per its name, beauty pageants traditionally focus on judging the contestants' physical attractiveness, sometimes so ...

s, including holding the titles of

Miss Louisiana USA The Miss Louisiana USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Louisiana in the Miss USA pageant. Miss Louisiana USA is produced by RPM Productions since 1990, which also produces the Miss USA and Miss Teen ...

1975 for

Miss USA Miss USA is an American beauty pageant that has been held annually since 1952 to select the entrant from United States in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operated both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA, until 2020. ...

and that of Miss Louisiana for both the

Miss World Miss World is the oldest existing international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Since his death in 2000, Morley's widow, Julia Morley, has co-chaired the pageant. Along with Miss Universe, Mi ...

and the Miss International pageants. She appeared as a contestant in ''

The Gong Show ''The Gong Show'' is an American amateur talent contest franchised by Sony Pictures Television to many countries. It was broadcast on NBC's daytime schedule from June 14, 1976, through July 21, 1978, and in first-run syndication from 1976 to ...

'' in 1979. She also appeared as grown up Kimmy Gibbler in the 1987 sitcom, ''

Full House ''Full House'' is an American television sitcom created by Jeff Franklin for American Broadcasting Company, ABC. The show is about the recently widowed father Danny Tanner who enlists his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis and childhood best friend ...

''. Shear is best known for her role as a host of the

's 1980s and '90s weekend

B-movie A B movie, or B film, is a type of cheap, low-budget commercial motion picture. Originally, during the Classical Hollywood cinema, Golden Age of Hollywood, this term specifically referred to films meant to be shown as the lesser-known second ...

show, '' USA Up All Night''. From 1991 to 1998, she hosted in-studio and on-location segments that typically aired on Friday nights, replacing comedian Caroline Schlitt (the Friday night host for the show's first few years). She also occasionally hosted the show with her Saturday counterpart,

Gilbert Gottfried Gilbert Jeremy Gottfried (February 28, 1955 – April 12, 2022) was an American stand-up comedian and actor, best-known for his exaggerated shrill voice, strong New York dialect, his squint, and his edgy, often-controversial, sense of humor. Hi ...

, in addition to making cameos on his edition. Her trademark manner of speaking the show's title, by raising her voice an octave when saying the word "''Up''", became a catch phrase. Shear also briefly hosted a comedy program called ''Spotlight Cafe'' on

WWOR-TV WWOR-TV (channel 9) is a television station licensed to Secaucus, New Jersey, United States, serving the New York metropolitan area as the flagship of the MyNetworkTV programming service. It is owned and operated by Fox Television Stations alon ...

Secaucus, New Jersey Secaucus ( ) is a Town (New Jersey), town in Hudson County, New Jersey, Hudson County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the town's population was 22,181, an increase of 5,917 (+36.4%) from the 2010 United St ...

, hosted previously by comic

Judy Tenuta Judy Lynn Tenuta (November 7, 1949 – October 6, 2022) was an American comedian, actress, and comedy musician. She was known for her whimsical and brash persona of "The Love Goddess", mixing insult comedy, observational humor, self-promotion, ...

. Shear made two subsequent nude appearances in ''Playboy'': First, in their "Funny Girls" pictorial in June 1991, then in her own pictorial titled "Rhonda Is Up All Night" in October 1993.Schawbel, Dan (June 14, 2012)
"Rhonda Shear: From Playboy Model to Millionaire Entrepreneur"
''

Forbes ''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine founded by B. C. Forbes in 1917. It has been owned by the Hong Kong–based investment group Integrated Whale Media Investments since 2014. Its chairman and editor-in-chief is Steve Forbes. The co ...

''. Shear also co-starred in numerous sitcoms from playing the Fonz's girlfriend on ''

Happy Days ''Happy Days'' is an American television sitcom that aired first-run on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC network from January 15, 1974, to July 19, 1984, with a total of 255 half-hour episodes spanning 11 seasons. Created by Garry Marsha ...

'' to the sexy neighbor on '' Married... with Children'', before making her mark as a comedian. She then made her way into stand-up comedy, headlining as a successful comedian in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York, and eventually touring across the country with ''Comedy PJ Party'', an on-stage slumber party featuring a number of comedians.Lawsen, Sand
"Rhonda Shear: Artist Biography"
''

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

''.

Entrepreneur career

In 2001, Shear, with her husband Van Fagan, started Shear Enterprises. She began designing from her home office in 2003 with three employees, and launched the Rhonda Shear Intimates line at

. Her products were picked up on shopping networks around the world, including

The Shopping Channel TSC (formerly The Shopping Channel) is a Canadian discretionary service channel owned by the Rogers Sports & Media subsidiary of Rogers Communications. The channel showcases various products which viewers can purchase either by telephone or inter ...

(Canada) and Ideal World Shopping (U.K.). Rhonda Shear Intimates has continued to grow and is now represented in over 40 countries with over 25 employees in her St. Petersburg, Florida offices. In 2010, Shear designed the Ahh Bra, and the product was an overnight success. The Ahh Bra was the number-one selling bra worldwide with over 25 million sold internationally. In 2011, the company had $72 million in sales. As of 2013, she has added cosmetics, swim wear, fragrances, and Boomer Hottie. In 2014, a line of "intimates, athleisure, and loungewear" was announced that was co-designed with Crystal Hefner, 2009 ''Playboy'' Playmate and wife of

Hugh Hefner Hugh Marston Hefner (April 9, 1926 – September 27, 2017) was an American magazine publisher. He was the founder and editor-in-chief of ''Playboy'' magazine, a publication with revealing photographs and articles. Hefner extended the ''Playboy ...

, to be sold through Hefner's website. Shear has written a book titled ''Up All Night: From Hollywood Bombshell to Lingerie Mogul, Life Lessons from an Accidental Feminist'', released in October 2017.

Charity work

In 2011, Shear was the event chair and a sponsor for American Cancer Society's Making Strides: Put on Your Pink Bra Event. Between speaking engagements, creating a giant flying bra for the RedBull Flugtag, and helping with fundraising events, Shear got the chance to meet with women struggling in treatment or following surgery who needed bras that were affordable, feminine, and comfortable. She was struck by their stories, strength, and sense of community. Shear stays connected by donating product every month to women's shelters around the country and continuing her work nationwide with various charitable organizations that fund research and empower women.

Personal life

Shear married her childhood sweetheart Van Fagen, who works as her business partner in Shear Enterprises. They live in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Credits

Filmography

* ''Quadroon'' (1971) * '' J.D.'s Revenge'' (1976) * '' Galaxina'' (1980) * ''Party Games for Adults Only'' (1984) * '' Doin' Time'' (1985) * ''

Basic Training Military recruit training, commonly known as basic training or boot camp, refers to the initial instruction of new military personnel. It is a physically and psychologically intensive process, which resocializes its subjects for the unique dema ...

'' (1985) * ''

Spaceballs ''Spaceballs'' is a 1987 American space opera parody film co-written, produced and directed by Mel Brooks. It primarily parodies the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy, but also other popular franchises such as ''Star Trek'', '' Alien'', '' The Wi ...

'' (1987) * '' The Roller Blade Seven'' (1991) * ''Legend of the Roller Blade Seven'' (1992) * ''

Return to Frogtown ''Return to Frogtown'' (also known as ''Frogtown II'') is a 1993 B movie directed by Donald G. Jackson. It is the sequel to the 1988 cult film '' Hell Comes to Frogtown''. Like its predecessor, the film is set in a post-apocalyptic future where ...

'' (1993) * ''Tender Loving Care'' (1995) * ''Assault of the Party Nerds 2: The Heavy Petting Detective'' (1995) * ''Earth Minus Zero'' (1996) * ''Don't Quit Your Day Job'' (1996 video game) * ''The Fanatics'' (1997) * ''Desperation Boulevard'' (1998) * ''Prison-A-Go-Go!'' (2003) * ''You Are All Going to Die'' (2013)

Discography

* ''Your Bedtime Buddy'' (1996)

Television

* ''The John Pela Show'' (dancer, 1970) * ''New Orleans Saints Vs. Atlanta Falcons Match'' (dancer, 1970) * ''Shape Spa Commercial'' (herself, 1977) * '' The $1.98 Beauty Show'' (contestant, 1978) * '' The Love Experts'' (contestant, 1978) * ''

'' (contestant, 1979) * ''

'' (1 episode, 1979) * ''

The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo ''The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo'' is an American action comedy television series that ran on NBC from September 18, 1979, to May 5, 1981. For its second season the show was renamed ''Lobo''. The program aired Tuesday nights, at 8:00p.m. East ...

'' (1980) * ''The Bob Hope Special'' (1980) * '' Dance Fever'' (1981) * ''

The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...

'' (1982) * ''Two Top Bananas'' (1982) * ''

Dallas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...

'' (3 episodes, 1982–1985) * ''

CHiPs ''CHiPs'' is an American crime drama television series created by Rick Rosner and originally aired on NBC from September 15, 1977, to May 1, 1983. After the final first-run telecast on NBC in May 1983, the series went into reruns on Sundays fr ...

'' (1 episode, 1982) * ''

Hart to Hart ''Hart to Hart'' is an American mystery television series that premiered on August 25, 1979, on ABC. The show stars Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, respectively, a wealthy couple who lead a glamorous jetset ...

'' (1 episode, 1983) * ''

The Fall Guy ''The Fall Guy'' is an American action-adventure television series produced for ABC and originally broadcast from November 4, 1981, to May 2, 1986. It stars Lee Majors, Douglas Barr, and Heather Thomas as Hollywood stunt performers who moonl ...

'' (1 episode, 1983) * ''

The A-Team ''The A-Team'' is an American Action television, action television series that ran on NBC from January 23, 1983, to March 8, 1987, about a fictional team of former United States Army Special Forces who work as mercenaries while on the run from ...

'' (1 episode, 1983) * ''

Three's Company ''Three's Company'' is an American television sitcom that aired for eight seasons on ABC from March 15, 1977, to September 18, 1984. Developed by Don Nicholl, Michael Ross and Bernie West, it is based on the British sitcom '' Man About the ...

'' (1 episode, 1983) * ''Hour Magazine'' (1984) * ''Eye on L.A.'' (1984) * ''

The Dukes of Hazzard ''The Dukes of Hazzard'' is an American action comedy television series created by Gy Waldron that aired on CBS from January 26, 1979, to February 8, 1985, with a total of seven seasons consisting of List of The Dukes of Hazzard episodes, 147 ...

'' (1 episode, 1984) * ''

The New Mike Hammer ''Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer'' (later titled ''The New Mike Hammer''), with Stacy Keach in the title role, is an American crime drama television series that originally aired on CBS from January 28, 1984, to May 13, 1987. The series consisted ...

'' (2 episodes, 1984) * ''

Cheers ''Cheers'' is an American television sitcom, created by Glen and Les Charles, Glen Charles & Les Charles and James Burrows, that aired on NBC for eleven seasons from September 30, 1982, to May 20, 1993. The show was produced by Charles/Burrows/C ...

'' (1 episode, 1985) * '' The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson'' (1985) * ''The New Love American Style'' (1986-1987) * '' Hot Seat with Wally George'' (4 episodes, 1986–1987) * ''Me and Mrs. C'' (1987) * ''Hard Knocks'' (1989) * ''The Alan Thicke Show'' (1990) * ''

'' (1 episode, 1990) * '' Married... with Children'' (episode "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" 1990) * '' USA Up All Night'' (Host, 1991–1998) * ''Circus of the Stars'' (1991) * '' Doctor Doctor'' (1 episode, 1991) * ''Into The Night'' (1992) * ''A & E's Comedy on the Road'' (1992) * ''Larry King Live'' (guest, 1993) * ''Maury Povich Show'' (guest, 1993–1994) * ''Entertainment Tonight'' (1993 and 1995) * ''Joan Rivers Show'' (1994) * ''

Sally Jessy Raphael Sally Lowenthal (born February 25, 1935), better known as Sally Jessy Raphael, is an American retired talk show host, who is best known for her program '' Sally'' (originally called ''The Sally Jessy Raphael Show''). Early life and education Lo ...

'' (1994) * ''VH1 Top 21 Countdown'' (1994) * ''Rick Dees Show'' (1994) * ''Christina Show'' (1994) * ''Bertice Barry Show'' (1994) * ''

Silk Stalkings ''Silk Stalkings'' is an American crime drama television series that premiered on CBS on November 7, 1991, as part of the network's late-night '' Crimetime After Primetime'' programming package. Broadcast for two seasons until CBS ended the '' ...

'' (1 episode, 1994) * ''WWF'' '' WrestleMania X'' (guest timekeeper, 1994) * ''Battle of the Sexes'' (1995) * ''Evening at the Improv'' (1995-1996) * ''

The Richard Bey Show ''The Richard Bey Show'' is a syndicated American talk show hosted by Richard Bey which aired from September 28, 1992 (although the show originally started off as a combination of ''People are Talking'' 982 - 1989 an NBC/ Chris-Craft/Fox stati ...

'' (1995) * ''Geraldo'' (1995-1998) * ''Clint Homes Show'' (1995) * ''Mike and Maty Show'' (1995) * ''Good Morning Television'' (1995) * ''Women Aloud'' (1995) * ''

The Howard Stern Show ''The Howard Stern Show'' is an American radio show hosted by Howard Stern that gained wide recognition when it was radio syndication, nationally syndicated on terrestrial radio from WINS-FM, WXRK in New York City, between 1986 and 2005. The sho ...

'' (guest, 1995) * ''Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher'' (guest, 1995) * ''

Duckman ''Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man'', commonly known simply as ''Duckman'', is an American adult animated sitcom created and developed by Everett Peck, based on the characters he created in his 1990 one-shot comic book published by Dark Horse Com ...

'' (1 episode, 1996) * ''Live form Queens'' (1996) * ''Runaway with The Rich and Famous'' (1996) * ''Judge Judy'' (1996) * '' Pictionary'' (guest, 1997) * ''Oddville, MTV'' (1 episode, 1997) * ''Hard Copy'' (1998) * ''

Unhappily Ever After ''Unhappily Ever After'' is an American television sitcom that aired for 100 episodes on The WB from January 11, 1995, to May 23, 1999, for a total of five seasons. The series was produced by Touchstone Television. Synopsis The series follows ...

'' (1 episode, 1998) * ''

Access Hollywood ''Access Hollywood'', briefly known as ''Access'' from 2017 to 2019, is an American weekday television entertainment news program that premiered on September 9, 1996. It covers events and celebrities in the entertainment industry. It was create ...

'' (1998) * ''Bloomberg Report'' (1998) * ''The X Show'' (2000-2001) * ''Love Bytes'' (1 episode, 2001) *

(correspondent, 2003–Present) * ''The Peter Austin Noto Show'' (9 episodes, 2013)

Bibliography

* ''Up All Night: From Hollywood Bombshell to Lingerie Mogul, Life Lessons from an Accidental Feminist'' (Mascot Books, 2017)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Shear, Rhonda 1954 births Living people Actors from St. Petersburg, Florida Actresses from Los Angeles Actresses from New Orleans American film actresses American stand-up comedians American television actresses American television hosts American women comedians American women television hosts Businesspeople from Tampa, Florida Comedians from New Orleans Contestants on American game shows Actresses from Pinellas County, Florida Loyola University New Orleans alumni Miss USA 1970s delegates People from St. Petersburg, Florida