---
name: "Tia Carrere"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/tia-carrere"
fi1m_id: "tia-carrere"
imdb_id: "nm0000119"
tmdb_id: 13445
wikidata_id: "Q286570"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "2 January 1967"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-05T02:39:46.683871+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Tia Carrere

## Identity

Tia Carrere

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/tia-carrere
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** tia-carrere
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000119
- **TMDB ID:** 13445
- **Wikidata ID:** Q286570
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tia_Carrere, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q286570, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000119/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13445

Actor. Born 2 January 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 2 January 1967, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
- **Active:** 1992–present
- **Also known as:** Тиа Каррере, Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo, تیا کررا
- **Frequently works with:** [Chris Sanders](https://film.one/person/chris-sanders.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 70 (2), 2000s 76 (2), 2020s 58 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 64 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 3, Family 2, Science Fiction 2, Action 1, Animation 1, Drama 1
- **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,873m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tia_Carrere, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q286570, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000119/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13445

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Lilo & Stitch*](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch.md) (82), [*Lilo & Stitch*](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch-2025.md) (58)
- **Pluto TV:** [*Wayne's World*](https://film.one/film/waynes-world.md) (72)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Tia Carrere

> Tia Carrere's singing and comic timing are good reasons to look beyond the action roles. Her voice work deserves attention too; we rate her more highly than some of the films that have employed her.

In *Lilo & Stitch* (2025), Tia Carrere is on the doorstep with a clipboard as Mrs Kekoa, the social worker assessing Nani's care of her younger sister. Carrere voiced Nani in the 2002 animation; now she plays the person checking whether the household can cope. That change of job is more interesting than much of the remake's alien business. It is an apt return for an actor often cast as capable women, though the sisters get the stronger material here.

Her breakthrough as Cassandra Wong, the rock singer in *Wayne's World* (1992), put her singing and comic timing to work together. We would start there, because Carrere does her own singing as well as making the comedy work. Juno Skinner in James Cameron's *True Lies* (1994) belongs to a less satisfactory film. The action is inventive, but the long marital detour is frequently cruel. Jamie Lee Curtis has to work harder than she should to make it funny; Carrere's presence is no reason to overlook that.

*Relic Hunter* (1999–2002) gave her a sustained television lead as Sydney Fox, making the adventurous woman her regular occupation. Voicing Nani in *Lilo & Stitch* (2002) put her to different use, drawing on her Hawaiian roots. We value the credibility of that voice work, especially in a career marked early on by typecasting. It is a reason to give the animation as much attention as the more conspicuous action roles.

Dean Fleischer Camp's remake is warm enough without becoming necessary viewing. Maia Kealoha and Sydney Agudong, as Lilo and Nani, do the work that makes the film matter. We cared about the sisters during their kitchen arguments because Agudong makes the exhaustion of keeping them afloat believable. Carrere's casting is a pleasing connection to the original, though the film is tamer, longer and less funny. For Carrere, start with Cassandra, then listen to Nani; Mrs Kekoa can wait.

## Biography

Tia Carrere is an American actress and singer. Born Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo in Honolulu, Hawaii, she began her career with a regular role on the soap opera General Hospital and made her film debut in Aloha Summer (1988). She rose to prominence playing Cassandra Wong in Wayne's World (1992) and Wayne's World 2 (1993).

Carrere is also known for her role as Juno Skinner in True Lies (1994) and as Sydney Fox in the television series Relic Hunter. She voiced Nani in the animated Lilo & Stitch (2002) and its related films and series. In 2025 she appeared as Mrs. Kekoa in the live-action Lilo & Stitch. As a singer specialising in Hawaiian music, she has won two Grammy Awards.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, disney.fandom.com, allmusic.com.*

## On Fi1m (5)

- *Lilo & Stitch* (2025), Fi1m 58, as Mrs. Kekoa — [page](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch-2025.md)
- *Nip/Tuck* (2003), Fi1m 70, as Mistress Dark Pain — [page](https://film.one/tv/nip-tuck.md)
- *Lilo & Stitch* (2002), Fi1m 82, as Nani (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch.md)
- *True Lies* (1994), Fi1m 68, as Juno — [page](https://film.one/film/true-lies.md)
- *Wayne's World* (1992), Fi1m 72, as Cassandra — [page](https://film.one/film/waynes-world.md)

## Complete filmography (107)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Waltzing with Brando* (2025), as Madame Leroy
- *Lilo & Stitch* (2025), as Mrs. Kekoa — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch-2025.md)
- *Paradise* (2024), as Lee Paige
- *Royal Crackers* (2023), series, as Queen Vasha (voice)
- *A Big Fat Family Christmas* (2022), as Ivy
- *Easter Sunday* (2022), as Tita Teresa
- *Yuki 7* (2021), series, as Agent 6 (voice)
- *Never Have I Ever* (2020), series, as Dr. Logan — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/never-have-i-ever-2020.md)
- *AJ and the Queen* (2020), series, as Leilani Kala'i / Lady Danger
- *Dollface* (2019), series, as Teresa
- *The Legend of Hallowaiian* (2018), as Nana (voice)
- *Palm Swings* (2017), as Ms. Cherry Bomb
- *Showdown in Manila* (2016), as Mrs. Wells
- *Gwapa* (2015), as Narrator (voice)
- *Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest* (2015), as Jezebel Jade (voice)
- *The Girl* (2014), as Mother
- *Pirate's Code: The Adventures of Mickey Matson* (2014), as Kelly
- *Gutshot Straight* (2014), as Leanne
- *Asteroid vs Earth* (2014), as Marissa Knox
- *Final Recourse* (2013), as Michelle Gaines · Associate Producer
- *Uncle Grandpa* (2013), series, as Additional Voices (voice)
- *Collision Course* (2012), as Kate Parks
- *Hard Breakers* (2011), as Jodie
- *Lethal Justice* (2011), as Lisa Clayton
- *You May Not Kiss the Bride* (2011), as Lani
- *Blue Bloods* (2010), series, as Chow Lin
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Makana Kalakaua — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated* (2010), series, as Judy Reeves (voice), Amy, Amy (voice)
- *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009), series, as Layla Lewis
- *Warehouse 13* (2009), series, as Agent Kate Logan
- *Wild Cherry* (2009), as Ms. Haumea
- *Dark Honeymoon* (2008), as Miranda
- *In Plain Sight* (2008), series, as Lia Hernandez
- *Der Sex Vampir* (2008), Actor
- *Back to You* (2007), series, as Maggie
- *Leroy & Stitch* (2006), as Nani (voice)
- *Supernova* (2005), as Lisa Delgado
- *Supernova* (2005), series, as Lisa Delgado
- *Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch* (2005), as Nani (voice)
- *Back in the Day* (2005), as Loot
- *Aloha Scooby-Doo!* (2005), as Snookie / Local Woman #1 (voice)
- *American Dragon: Jake Long* (2005), series, Actor
- *Torn Apart* (2004), as Vicky Westin
- *Megas XLR* (2004), series, as Darklos (voice)
- *Lilo & Stitch: The Series* (2003), series, as Nani Pelekai (voice)
- *Stitch! The Movie* (2003), as Nani (voice)
- *Duck Dodgers* (2003), series, as The Martian Queen (voice)
- *The O.C.* (2003), series, as Dean Torres
- *Nip/Tuck* (2003), series, as Mistress Dark Pain — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/nip-tuck.md)
- *Lilo & Stitch Read-Along* (2002), as Nani (voice)
- *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as Jacqueline Parsons
- *Lilo & Stitch* (2002), as Nani (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch.md)
- *Merlin: The Return* (2000), as Dr. Maxwell
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Cha Cha — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *My Teacher's Wife* (1999), as Vicky Mueller
- *The Night of the Headless Horseman* (1999), as Katrina Van Tassel
- *If... Dog... Rabbit* (1999), Co-Executive Producer
- *Relic Hunter* (1999), series, as Sydney Fox
- *Five Aces* (1999), as Karen Haggerty
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Hawaiian Woman (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Meet Prince Charming* (1999), as Samantha Feld
- *Scarred City* (1998), as Candy
- *Dogboys* (1998), as D.A. Jennifer Dern
- *20 Dates* (1998), Executive Producer
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1997), series, Actor
- *Veronica's Closet* (1997), series, as Kim
- *Kull the Conqueror* (1997), as Akivasha
- *Johnny Bravo* (1997), series, as Beautiful Woman / Female Elephant / Woman (voice)
- *Top of the World* (1997), as Rebecca Mercer
- *Natural Enemy* (1996), as Christina
- *High School High* (1996), as Victoria Chapell
- *Hollow Point* (1996), as Diane Norwood
- *The Immortals* (1995), as Gina · Associate Producer
- *Murder One* (1995), series, as Beverly Nichols — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/murder-one.md)
- *Nothing But the Truth* (1995), as Simone Gideon
- *Jury Duty* (1995), as Monica
- *Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child* (1995), series, as Mija (voice)
- *Hostile Intentions* (1995), as Nora
- *True Lies* (1994), as Juno — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/true-lies.md)
- *Wayne's World 2* (1993), as Cassandra Wong
- *Treacherous* (1993), as Dr. Jessica Jamison
- *Quick* (1993), as Janet Sakamoto
- *Rising Sun* (1993), as Jingo Asakuma
- *Little Sister* (1992), as Adrienne
- *Wayne's World* (1992), as Cassandra — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/waynes-world.md)
- *Intimate Stranger* (1991), as Mina
- *Showdown in Little Tokyo* (1991), as Minako
- *Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man* (1991), as Kimiko
- *Fatal Mission* (1990), as Mai Chang
- *Fine Gold* (1989), as Stella
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Scarlett (segment "On a Deadman's Chest")
- *The Road Raiders* (1989), as Cyanne
- *Quantum Leap* (1989), series, as Chu-Hoi
- *Anything But Love* (1989), series, Actor
- *Aloha Summer* (1988), as Lani Kepoo
- *Noble House* (1988), series, as Venus Poon
- *Zombie Nightmare* (1987), as Amy
- *Friday the 13th: The Series* (1987), series, as Michiko Tanaka
- *Tour of Duty* (1987), series, as Lang
- *Married... with Children* (1987), series, as Piper Bauman
- *MacGyver* (1985), series, as Tiu, Lisa Chan
- *Covenant* (1985), as Girl at Golden Calf
- *Cover Up* (1984), series, Actor
- *Airwolf* (1984), series, as Kiki Tinabi
- *The A-Team* (1983), series, as Tia
- *The Last Resort*, as Reyna
- *Untitled Kestrin Pantera Indie Project*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Tia Carrere](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-dd802bca5d75.jpg) Tia Carrere — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Tia_Carrere_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Tia_Carrere_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tia Carrere attending the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo in BMO Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-a60328bdfd3b.jpg) Tia Carrere attending the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo in BMO Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (2011) — 5of7, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/TiaCarrereJune2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Tia Carrere at the premiere for Up](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-033d3117f0c9.jpg) Tia Carrere at the premiere for Up — Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/TiaCarrereMay09.jpg/1280px-TiaCarrereMay09.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tia Carrere at the premiere for Up](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-b04b6c0827a0.jpg) Tia Carrere at the premiere for Up — Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/TiaCarrereMay09_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Tia Carrere](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-6b73271441cd.jpg) Tia Carrere — Image via TMDB
- ![Tia Carrere](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-b4bcba007bcb.jpg) Tia Carrere — Image via TMDB
- ![Tia Carrere](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-b4cb30f56473.jpg) Tia Carrere — Image via TMDB
- ![Tia Carrere, born January 2, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii, is an American actress, model, and singer. She is known for her role as Cassandra Wong in the feature fil (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-fbf70fa5375f.jpg) Tia Carrere, born January 2, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii, is an American actress, model, and singer. She is known for her role as Cassandra Wong in the feature fil (2011) — 5of7, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Tia_Carrere.jpg/1280px-Tia_Carrere.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tia Carrere honored at the Filipino American Library Spirit Awards and Dinner GALA in Los Angeles, California. (2006)](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-ddc747d1212b.jpg) Tia Carrere honored at the Filipino American Library Spirit Awards and Dinner GALA in Los Angeles, California. (2006) — Frederick Manligas Nacino (Opusdeiphotography), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Tia_Carrere_061014_1.jpg/1280px-Tia_Carrere_061014_1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tia Carrere](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-b8c508f80ffb.jpg) Tia Carrere — Image via TMDB
- ![Tia Carrere](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-85c59b28c065.jpg) Tia Carrere — Image via TMDB
- ![Tia Carrere](https://film.one/media/person/8476/gallery-96327cca4e6a.jpg) Tia Carrere — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- Grammy Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album 2010: Grammy Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/tia-carrere