her first movie offer was at the age of 9 or 10, called “Santa Clause Conquers the Martians” as she fondly mentioned she played Germore, the Green Martian princess! Pia’s childhood career continued and evolved into the age of 17, where she signed with a manager named Arthur. Her new manager took her to many auditions, and one in particular, “To Kill a Mockingbird” where she met a gentleman named Meshulam Riklis, aka Rick, who four years later, became her husband, for a period of 18 years. Rick, who Pia claims gave her independence from her stage mom, was fond of both Pia and her career as well. They had two children, who now live in LA. After a few years of restlessness, she created a new show for herself… as a nightclub singer… and broke in the show on Carnival Cruise Lines, which lead to opening for Neil Sedaka in Vegas. Pia hit Vegas in 1977 at the Riviera and married Rick, who owned the Riviera at that time, and with her new showroom act, her singing career blossomed, which took her to the stages of the Frontier, Caesars Palace, and many others. As a staple of our Las Vegas history, Pia, the captivating entertainer she is, opened on the Strip for many artists in days gone by, including Wayne Newton, Tony Bennett, Neil Sedaka, David Brenner, Don Rickles, Norm Crosby, Rich Little, Joan Rivers, and even toured the US opening for Frank Sinatra himself. At this point, her husband Rick recommended she star in a movie, to raise awareness of her name and build her brand so she could eventually headline her own shows. Then came “Butterfly”, to which she won the Golden Globe for, with Orson Wells, Stacy Keach, Edward Albert Jr. and Ed McMan, this epic film was shot here in Vegas, near Good Springs, Nevada. Pia’s list of proud films went on to include FakeOut, Lonely Lady, Hair Spray, and Naked Gun 33 1/3. Through the years, the marriage to Rick eventually came to a close in 1993. About that time, a well-known Director, Producer and Writer, named Gavin Grazer was doing a documentary film and reached out to Pia to star in his film. She agreed and at the launch party in LA for the new show, she met a fellow named Jonathan Kaufer who happen to be at the party. They hit it off as a couple, and and married in 1995. They were together for six years, all in Los Angeles, and had an amazing son named Jordan. During those six years, Pia raised Jordan and spent time with her new family putting her career on hold. However around 2001, the marriage to Jonathan came to a close. She got the bug for the stage again, and Pia went back to New York in
1995 for a short run as the star in the Broadway musical, “Crazy for You”. During Pia’s second divorce, she met her new husband, (a great guy I might add), named Michael, a former LV Metro Officer, who used to drive up and down the strip, and wonder “Who would name their kid Pia Zadora?” Michael and Pia talked for two years, and that lead to an engagement, that is still on fire today!! Michael moved to LA, to be with Pia, and the kids loved him. However, after a while Michael wanted to go back to Vegas, missing the excitement of his career. Pia agreed and so they packed up and settled back here in Vegas in 2011. One day, Pia tried on the old gowns, and said “Hey… maybe I could just do a little show here and there.” Pia started thinking about her career again, but didn’t want the three-month gig here, and the two-month gig there… she wanted her own place, some stability… with her own band. Pia loved going out with Michael, and they started to frequent Piero’s for dinner. That was where they met and invited Freddy from Piero’s to come see her show at Suncoast. Freddy loved the show, but pulled Pia aside afterwards and said, “You need your own room”… Piero’s! The Monkey Bar… the Perfect Spot for Pia! And now, for the last five years, Pia has been showcasing her talents at the famous Piero’s Italian Cuisine in the heart of Las Vegas, with a standing room only audience every weekend! I’ve had the pleasure of catching her show twice since we met, and ladies and gentlemen, I’ve got to tell you, it’s a night out of classic Vegas, pure fun, and one amazing gal and her talented band, the Joe Lano Trio. Watch for Pia’s new CD coming out soon, with more of a “Smooth Jazz” new vibe for Pia... the old songs, in a smooth jazz way. Pia shared with me her excitement and enthusiasm for another important part of her life… her charitable side She was very proud to of the honors, as the 2017 Recipient for the Ambassador for Autism Award from the Grant a Gift Foundation. Pia is a passionate and dedicated mother to her amazing 20 year old son Jordan, (who I might say, is my new bff ), to whom is on the spectrum. She guided Jordan himself to launch The Focus Program at UNLV, which serves kids with special needs in Las Vegas. Pia was able to influence her friends such as Carrot Top, Jerry Lewis, Rich Little, Frank Moreno, Marty Allen and others, to raise awareness for the fundraiser of 2016. The Focus Program mentors the kids with volunteers to help those who have hearing or reading issues, enabling them to advance through life and reach their career dreams. Pia
lit up as we talked about how she fosters these programs, showing the caring and giving side of Pia, off stage, that only a few get to know. Pia’s “Award Season” also bestowed her the prestigious Silver State Woman’s Award for 2017, which does not come easy. Today, Pia says everything is finally coming to culmination. Jordan’s struggles were long and hard, and “my struggles were doing things I didn’t want to do”… But that’s all changed now… and finally, she has so many good things to be happy for. The family core, the continuity she always wanted and consistency she was always looking for, an amazing man who is always there for her, the show that allows Pia to be Pia… and Jordan. Pia says, “People love Jordan at my show, they ask for him when he’s not there”… he and Michael are there in the audience just about every night, it’s family, it’s calm, it’s good, and it’s perfect, Pia’s Perfect Life! MV
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