Editing Rhonda Shear

{{Short description|American actress, television personality, comedienne (born 1954)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2017}}
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| name               = <!-- include middle initial, if not specified in birth_name -->
| image              = 
| alt                = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption            = 
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1954|11|12|mf=y}}
| birth_place        = [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], U.S.
| death_date         = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date)  -->
| death_place        = 
| nationality        = 
| other_names        = 
| occupation         = {{hlist|Television host|actress|model|entrepreneur|author}}
| years_active       = 1970&ndash;present
| alma_mater         = [[Loyola University New Orleans]]
| known_for          = 
| notable_works      = 
| television         = ''[[USA Up All Night]]''
| website            = {{URL|rhondashear.com}}
| spouse             = Van Fagen (m. 2001)
| module             = {{Infobox pageant titleholder
| child        = yes
| name         = Rhonda Shear
| image        = 
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| hometown     = 
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| years_active = 
| films        = 
| agency       = 
| height       = <!-- X ft Y in, X cm, or X m, plus optional reference (automatic conversion) -->
| hair_color   = 
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| title        = [[Miss Louisiana USA]] 1975,
| competitions = [[Miss USA 1975]]
}}
}}

'''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]]'s weekend [[B movie]] show, ''[[USA Up All Night]]''. In 2001, she started an intimate apparel business that was marketed on [[HSN|Home Shopping Network]] (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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-south-pinellas/st-petersburg/rhonda-shear-intimates-of-st-pete-featured-as-tampa-bay-fashion-week-kicks-off-on-friday|title=Rhonda Shear Intimates of St. Pete featured as Tampa Bay Fashion Week kicks off on Friday|first=Brad|last=Davis|date=September 12, 2013|website=abcactionnews.com|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018072529/http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-south-pinellas/st-petersburg/rhonda-shear-intimates-of-st-pete-featured-as-tampa-bay-fashion-week-kicks-off-on-friday|archive-date=October 18, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/divas/tampa-bay-fashion-week-is-here-and-i-stopped-by-last-night/2245994|title=Tampa Bay Fashion Week is here and I stopped by last night|website=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=October 18, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018133456/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/divas/tampa-bay-fashion-week-is-here-and-i-stopped-by-last-night/2245994|archive-date=October 18, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Early life==
Shear was born in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]. She attended [[Loyola University New Orleans|Loyola University]], earning a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in [[Communication studies|communications]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.castproductions.com/rhondashear.html |title=Rhonda Shear Biography |access-date=February 19, 2008}}</ref> After graduating from Loyola in 1977, she moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in Hollywood.{{citation needed|date= July 2023}}

==Career==
===Modeling, hosting, and acting===
Shear earned titles in several [[beauty contest]]s, including holding the titles of [[Miss Louisiana USA]] 1975 for [[Miss USA]] and that of Miss Louisiana for both the [[Miss World]] and the [[Miss International]] pageants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rhondashear.com/Home.htm |title=The Rhonda Shear Site - About Rhonda - Rhonda Trivia |access-date=February 8, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207044115/http://www.rhondashear.com/Home.htm |archive-date=February 7, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> She appeared as a contestant in ''[[The Gong Show]]'' in 1979. She also appeared as grown up Kimmy Gibbler in the 1987 sitcom, ''[[Full House]]''.

Shear is best known for her role as a host of the [[USA Network]]'s 1980s and '90s weekend [[B-movie]] 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]], 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]] in [[Secaucus, New Jersey]], hosted previously by comic [[Judy Tenuta]].

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.<ref name=Forbes>Schawbel, Dan (June 14, 2012). [https://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2012/06/14/rhonda-shear-from-playboy-model-to-millionaire-entrepreneur/ "Rhonda Shear: From Playboy Model to Millionaire Entrepreneur"]. ''[[Forbes]]''.</ref>

Shear also co-starred in numerous sitcoms from playing the Fonz's girlfriend on ''[[Happy Days]]'' 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.<ref name=Allmusic>Lawsen, Sandy [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rhonda-shear-mn0000473994/ "Rhonda Shear: Artist Biography"]. ''[[Allmusic]]''.</ref>

===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 [[Home Shopping Network]]. Her products were picked up on shopping networks around the world, including [[The Shopping Channel]] (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.<ref name=Forbes/> As of 2013, she has added cosmetics, swim wear, fragrances, and Boomer Hottie.<ref>[https://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20120615-907335.html?mod=crnews] {{Dead link|date=July 2022}}. ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''. {{dead link|date=November 2014}}</ref>

In 2014, a line of "intimates, athleisure, and loungewear" was announced that was co-designed with [[Crystal Harris|Crystal Hefner]], 2009 ''Playboy'' [[Playmate]] and wife of [[Hugh Hefner]], to be sold through Hefner's website.<ref name=2014DecPB>{{cite journal|title=Playmate News, Girl Talk|journal=Playboy|date=December 2014|volume=61|issue=December|page=156}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtsp.com/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-tb/you-wear-the-bras-now-read-the-book/482210205|title=You Wear the Bra's, Now Read the Book!|last=TEGNA|website=wtsp.com|access-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref>

==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.<ref name=Forbes/>

==Personal life==
Shear married her childhood sweetheart Van Fagen, who works as her business partner in Shear Enterprises.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhondashear.com/about-rhonda-shear|title=About Us|website=www.rhondashear.com|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018071158/https://www.rhondashear.com/about-rhonda-shear|archive-date=October 18, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> They live in St. Petersburg, Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wfla.com/2017/07/07/only-on-8-hsn-entrepreneur-weighs-in-on-home-shopping-merger/|title=Only on 8: HSN entrepreneur weighs in on home shopping merger|date=July 7, 2017|website=wfla.com|access-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref>

==Credits==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=December 2021}}

===Filmography===
* ''Quadroon'' (1971)<ref>Bozung, Justin (July 25, 2013). [http://blog.tvstoreonline.com/2013/07/we-miss-usa-networks-up-all-night-with.html "Rhonda Shear, host of USA Network's UP ALL NIGHT and actress in films like SPACEBALLS, GALAXINA, ASSAULT OF THE PARTY NERDS talks with TV Store Online."]. TVStoreOnline.com.</ref>
* ''[[J.D.'s Revenge]]'' (1976)
* ''[[Galaxina]]'' (1980)
* ''Party Games for Adults Only'' (1984)
* ''[[Doin' Time (film)|Doin' Time]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Basic Training (1985 film)|Basic Training]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Spaceballs]]'' (1987)
* ''[[The Roller Blade Seven]]'' (1991)
* ''Legend of the Roller Blade Seven'' (1992)
* ''[[Return to Frogtown]]'' (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)
* ''[[The Gong Show]]'' (contestant, 1979)
* ''[[Happy Days]]'' (1 episode, 1979)
* ''[[The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo]]'' (1980)
* ''The Bob Hope Special'' (1980)
* ''[[Dance Fever]]'' (1981)
* ''[[The Young and the Restless]]'' (1982)
* ''Two Top Bananas'' (1982)
* ''[[Dallas (TV series)|Dallas]]'' (3 episodes, 1982–1985)
* ''[[CHiPs]]'' (1 episode, 1982)
* ''[[Hart to Hart]]'' (1 episode, 1983)
* ''[[The Fall Guy]]'' (1 episode, 1983)
* ''[[The A-Team]]'' (1 episode, 1983)
* ''[[Three's Company]]'' (1 episode, 1983)
* ''Hour Magazine'' (1984)
* ''Eye on L.A.'' (1984)
* ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]'' (1 episode, 1984)
* ''[[The New Mike Hammer]]'' (2 episodes, 1984)
* ''[[Cheers]]'' (1 episode, 1985)
* ''[[The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson]]'' (1985)
* ''The New Love American Style'' (1986-1987)
* ''[[Hot Seat (talk show)|Hot Seat with Wally George]]'' (4 episodes, 1986–1987)
* ''Me and Mrs. C'' (1987)
* ''Hard Knocks'' (1989)
* ''The Alan Thicke Show'' (1990)
* ''[[Full House]]'' (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 (1989 TV series)|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]]'' (1994)
* ''VH1 Top 21 Countdown'' (1994)
* ''Rick Dees Show'' (1994)
* ''Christina Show'' (1994)
* ''Bertice Barry Show'' (1994)
* ''[[Silk Stalkings]]'' (1 episode, 1994)
* [[WWE|''WWF'']] ''[[WrestleMania X]]'' (guest timekeeper, 1994)
* ''Battle of the Sexes'' (1995)
* ''Evening at the Improv'' (1995-1996)
* ''[[The Richard Bey Show]]'' (1995)
* [[Geraldo (talk show)|''Geraldo'']] (1995-1998)
* ''Clint Homes Show'' (1995)
* ''Mike and Maty Show'' (1995)
* ''Good Morning Television'' (1995)
* ''Women Aloud'' (1995)
* ''[[Howard Stern television shows|The Howard Stern Show]]'' (guest, 1995)
* ''Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher'' (guest, 1995)
* ''[[Duckman]]'' (1 episode, 1996)
* ''Live form Queens'' (1996)
* ''Runaway with The Rich and Famous'' (1996)
* ''Judge Judy'' (1996)
* ''[[Pictionary (1997 game show)|Pictionary]]'' (guest, 1997)
* ''Oddville, MTV'' (1 episode, 1997)
* ''Hard Copy'' (1998)
* ''[[Unhappily Ever After]]'' (1 episode, 1998)
* ''[[Access Hollywood]]'' (1998)
* ''Bloomberg Report'' (1998)
* ''The X Show'' (2000-2001)
* ''Love Bytes'' (1 episode, 2001)
* [[Home Shopping Network]] (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) {{ISBN|978-1684015016}}
<!-- Need sourcing and relevance 
==Awards and accolades==
{{BLP unsourced section|date=November 2014}}
* Miss Louisiana USA
* Miss Louisiana World
* Miss Hollywood
* Miss LA Press Club
* Miss Golden Globes
* Best B-Movie Actress (''Prison A Go-Go'')
* Voted Tampa Bay's Best Local Lingerie Boutique
* Former President of International Bachelor Women
* Featured Fashion Designer at Fashion Week Tampa Bay 2008, 2009, 2011
* Winner of HerRoom.com "Undies Awards" 2011 Best Leisure Bra
* Event Chairperson 2011, American Cancer Society: Making Strides "Put on Your Pink Bra" Event
* Winner of "Best Female Presenter" 2011 Moxie Awards by ERA
* Winner of 2012 Enterprising Women Award
* Winner of 2012 Best Product Award at HSN
* 3rd Place Winner of 2012 WPO's of Top 50 Fastest Growing Women Led Companies
* Winner of Treasure Coast International Film Festival Visionary Award
* Winner in 2012 Ernst & Young Retail and Consumer Products Category<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miami.com/things-to-do-in-miami/the-ahh-bras-rhonda-shear-from-playboy-model-to-entrepreneur-10815/#frag-3|title=The Ahh bra's Rhonda Shear: From Playboy model to entrepreneur|date=July 27, 2012|website=miami.com|access-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref>
* Winner in 2012 Stevie Awards as Most Innovative Company of the Year
* Winner of 2012 Gulf Coast Business Review Entrepreneur of the Year
* Winner of [[Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards|Entrepreneur of the Year]] - Ernst & Young "Retail & Consumer Products"
* Winner of Stevie Award Bronze - Most Innovative Company of the Year
-->

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|http://www.rhondashear.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|0005418}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes-person|rhonda_shear}}

{{Louisiana Pageant Winners}}

{{Authority control}}

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