Trivia: Though her role as the unlikely girlfriend of the eponymous dunderheaded character in Wayne's World (1992) would propel actress/model/singer Tia Carrere into what was seemingly an overnight success, the multi-talented entertainer had been appearing onscreen and making a name for herself as a vocalist since the mid-'80s. A native of Oahu (born Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo) who received her primary education at the Sacred Hearts Academy, Carrere first gained recognition at the well-known local talent contest Brown Bags to Stardom. Despite her reputation as having as much brains as beauty, it was her stunning looks that first caught the attention of a film producer's parents while shopping at a Waikiki grocery store -- a chance encounter that ultimately led to her casting in the 1988 feature Aloha Summer. Subsequently moving to Los Angles, it was no time before Carrere had landed frequent model work, and though an opportunity to take a leading role in Baywatch proved unbearably tempting, the aspiring actress ultimately held out in favor of an impressionable role in the 1992 runaway hit Wayne's World. In addition to her memorable comic performance, Carrare's ability to provide all of her own vocal work assured that the film would also be a vehicle for her vocal talents. The remainder of Carrere's work in the 1990s leaned more toward the comic, though her roles in the True Lies (1994) and Kull the Conqueror (1997) soon led to more action-oriented roles and increasing voice work in such efforts as Hercules (1998). In 1999 Carrere took the lead for her own television adventure series Relic Hunter (inspired by the success of the Tomb Raider video games), and during the series' three-year run she would also appear in the television miniseries Merlin (1999) and provide voice work for the Disney feature Lilo & Stitch as well as its sequel and television spin-off.Carrere would continue to remain a constant force on screen over the coming years, memorably appearing on Dancing with the Stars, as well as on series like In Plain Sight. She's also maintained a successful career as a voice actress, providing the voices for characters on animated shows like Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and Lilo & Stirch: The Series.

Trivia: African-American actor Michael Dorn received much of his on-the-job training as a semi-regular on the daytime drama Days of Our Lives. In the prime-time hours, Dorn was seen as Officer Turner during the final two seasons (1980-1982) of the weekly cop series CHiPs. He went on to a flurry of supporting-cast activity in such theatrical features as The Jagged Edge (1985). Then, in 1987, Michael Dorn donned mounds of facial makeup for what was to be his signature role: the U.S.S. Enterprise's Klingon officer Lt. Worf on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994).

Trivia: "Professional sidekick" Ed McMahon attended 15 schools while growing up in Detroit, New Jersey, New York City and Massachusetts; his father was a part-time plumber and entertainer, whose work in both fields kept the family forever on the go. The 15-year-old McMahon's first appearance before a microphone was as the "caller" at a bingo game in Maine; he was 15 years old. He spent the next three years touring the state fair and carnival circuit then worked his way through Boston College as a jack-of-all-trades at a Lowell, Massachusetts radio station. After World War II service, McMahon found work as a sidewalk pitchman, which paid his tuition at Catholic University in Washington D.C. As a journeyman television performer in the 1950s, McMahon delivered vegetable-slicer TV commercials, hosted a late-night interview show in Philadelphia and briefly appeared as a clown on the CBS kiddie show Big Top. In 1959, MacMahon was hired as the announcer/straight man on Who Do You Trust?, a daytime quiz program hosted by Johnny Carson. When Carson succeeded Jack Paar on NBC's Tonight Show, he took MacMahon with him; both men remained with Tonight until Carson's retirement in 1992. On his own, MacMahon has continued making commercial appearances for a multitude of products, starred in straw-hat theatre productions (The Music Man is his favorite), played straight supporting roles in such films as The Incident (1967) and Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (1973), lent a comedic turn to the Larry Cohen horror comedy Full Moon High (1982), and hosted the popular TV talent contest Star Search. McMahon died in June 2009 at age 86; though no cause of death was officially given, he had been suffering from cancer and pneumonia.

Trivia: Born Randy Poffo in Sarasota, FL, professional wrestler Randy "Macho Man" Savage actually began his athletic life as a minor league baseball player on teams including the Cardinals and the White Sox, then moved into wrestling alongside his brother Larry. He spent successive years working his way up through the ranks of various wrestling federations; Larry and Randy occasionally worked as a tag team, but also went head-to-head against one another from time to time, and indeed, Randy's first two big breaks materialized in the form of an ICW Title victory against Larry and a defeat of Jerry Lawler in the ring, which granted Savage the title of Southern Heavyweight Champion.Savage attained greatest leverage, however, via his involvement in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the management of his late wife, "Miss" Elizabeth Hulette; in that venue, the wrestler racked up a series of defeats against opponents including Tito Santana, Lex Luger, Dusty Rhodes, Brutus Beefcake, and others. After netting the WWF heavyweight title, he eventually left for the WCW amid a contractual dispute and won the heavyweight bout there as well. In that venue, Savage was particularly successful in the creation of the nWo (or New World Order in professional wrestling). Savage's various WCW opponents included Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, Bret Hart, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. One particularly memorable and colorful series of events involved Savage's ongoing battle-of-wills with Kevin Nash. Unlike fellow wrestler Hulk Hogan (with whom he often jostled), Savage kept his distance from Hollywood for many years, but by the mid- to late 2000s moved into acting roles. These included a performance as Bone Saw McGraw in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (2002), guest participation in the series Mad About You and Family Guy, and participation in season seven of VH1's reality series The Surreal Life, opposite Dabney Coleman, Carrot Top, and others. In 2008, Savage provided a voice for the family-friendly animated feature Bolt, alongside John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, and others. Savage died in a car accident in 2011.

Trivia: Even those who don't know Kevin Michael Richardson's face will frequently remember his voice. The actor's unique baritone has made him a memorable presence in many projects, including several voices on the animated series Family Guy. A classically trained performer, Richardson was one of eight students selected for the 1982 National Foundation for the Arts program, leading to a full scholarship for Syracuse University. He would go on to become a successful actor and voice actor, wracking up a long list of roles on everything from Pokemon to The New Batman Adventures. Othyer shows featuring Richardson's distinctive voice include Transformers Prime, Ultimate Spider-Man, and Green Lantern: The Animated Series. Real-life voices Richardson has portrayed include Bob Hope (in a 2006 Malcolm in the Middle episode), Bill Cosby (a number of Family Guy episodes) and Plato (PBS's Adventures From the Book of Virtues, 1996-98).

Trivia: Started his career at age 19 in New York City doing stand up at open mic nights. Moved to Los Angeles at age 22. A a comic, has opened for acts including Rodney Dangerfield, George Carlin and Donna Summer in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Has done voice-overs for TV, films, commercials and video games. Once was credited in a movie as a belch: Provided the belching sound for Buddy the Elf in the film Elf.

Trivia: His high school senior class voted him most likely to recede.While working on a dog food commercial, the producer's girlfriend suggested he audition for Hanna-Barbera's Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!Originally auditioned for the role of Scooby in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!Voiced eight of the original Decepticons and two of the original Autobots on the animated series The Transformers (1984).His Doctor Claw voice is the result of an impression of singer Barry White.His voice of the Cave of Wonder in Aladdin (1992) was based on Sir Sean Connery.Has voiced most of Scooby-Doo's Fred Jones, including animated series, parodies and cameos.The first voice actor to appear in two films that made $1 billion.Was honored with an Emmy Award for lifetime achievement in 2016.