Carmen Electra's Real Name: Tara Leigh Patrick

Quick answer: The actress and model is known professionally as Carmen Electra. Encyclopedia.com and TV Insider independently give the original name Tara Leigh Patrick and date her birth to April 20, 1972, in Sharonville, Ohio.

Real name and early life

Independent publishers support the documented original name Tara Leigh Patrick. Encyclopedia.com, in a Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television entry, lists the original name Tara Leigh Patrick, dates the birth to April 20, 1972, in Sharonville, Ohio, and identifies her parents as Harry, a guitarist, and Patricia, a singer. The same entry describes her as an actress, singer, and dancer who previously worked as a model. TV Insider independently lists the birth name Tara Leigh Patrick, the birth date April 20, 1972, and the birthplace Sharonville, Ohio, and describes her as an actress, model, and singer who first rose to national attention with a short-lived singing career.

Career highlights

Encyclopedia.com lists the role of Lani McKensie on Baywatch (also known as Baywatch Hawai'i), on NBC, in 1997–98, and earlier work as Candy on Baywatch Nights in 1996. The same account records later television work as a cohost of MTV's Singled Out and Loveline in 1997, the series Hyperion Bay in 1999, and hosting duties on Livin' Large from 2002 to 2004. Encyclopedia.com also records an MTV Movie Award, shared with others, for best kiss in 2004, for Starsky & Hutch, the 2004 MTV series Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen + Dave, and later guest work that included Chloe Blackburn on Monk and a recurring part as Mona on Summerland. The same entry lists modeling and print work, including advertisements for Candie's Fragrances in 1999, later hosting of Bravo's Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model in 2004, and the voice of Six on the Sci-Fi Channel series Tripping the Rift. Encyclopedia.com also names marriages to Dennis Rodman, on November 14, 1998, and to David M. Navarro, on November 22, 2003. TV Insider independently lists those same two spouses.

Name notes for searchers

People looking up Carmen Electra or Tara Leigh Patrick are looking for the same actress and model. Encyclopedia.com and TV Insider support the original name used in the title. Search traffic often uses the professional name alone; the original name appears in reference listings for the same person.