PIA ZADORA - Never GIVE UP

The 1980s It girl shares stories from her amazing life and years in show business 

- William Keck

When she was 7, Pia Zadora appeared on stage with the legendary actress Tallulah Bankhead in a touring production of Midgie Purvis. “We were in her dressing room, and there’s this bottle [of bourbon],” recalls Pia, 69, to Closer. “She says, ‘Try it. See how it feels.’ And I’ve been drinking ever since!”

Pia’s adult career also got off to a rocky start when she won a Golden Globe as New Star of the Year and a Razzie for Worst New Star for the same performance in 1981’s Butterfly. But the vivacious performer didn’t let the critics stop her. She continued acting, creating hilarious moments in the hit comedies Hairspray and Naked Gun 33 1/3, and also has enjoyed success as a nightclub performer, notably touring with Jackie Mason and Frank Sinatra.

You began working very early in life. How did you first start performing? 

My mother was this Polish Mama Rose type who wasn’t happy with my father and wanted to get out in the world, so she used me by putting me in show business. To get me out of my shell, she took me to a doctor who recommended I take children’s courses at the Academy of Dramatic Arts. Burgess Meredith was looking for a little girl to co-star in a stage play with Tallulah Bankhead and asked me to go on the road.

A lot of people were shocked when you won a Golden Globe in 1982. What do you remember about that night?