Rhonda Shear Click here for larger image!

Pet lovers have always been characterized as being eccentric. Celebrity Pet lovers, however, are much more outlandish. Rhonda Shear exemplifies the Hollywood eccentric. Big boobs, big blonde hair, and a big sense of humor. Rhonda was host of the popular late-night movie show on USA Network called Up All Night for nearly 8 years. I was fortunate enough to meet Rhonda through my friend and Ambassador of Good Will, songwriter Carol Connors. At the time, Rhonda was awaiting the arrival of her new Yorkie puppy, and before she even arrived in LA, we were discussing Rhonda and her new pet posing for the cover. Unfortunately, Rhonda had to reevaluate her purchase of the new addition. Her schedule was becoming more and more hectic each day, and she would be traveling more often and not be able to give the puppy a proper home. That, along with uneasy feelings towards the breeder, helped Rhonda decide she was not ready for her little dog. A few weeks later, Carol called me with Rhonda on the line and left a crazy message on my machine about a terrific idea she had. To say enthusiasm was in her voice would be an understatement. I called her back, anxious to hear her idea but concerned about how far-fetched it would be. Don't get me wrong, Carol has never led me wrong but...well, she does live in Beverly Hills and truly is the queen of originality, so I knew I would be in for something. "How about a fish called Rhonda?" she said; now this sounded more like a comedic spoof on the Jamie Lee Curtis film than an idea. "What?" I replied, a bit amused and bewildered at the same time. "Well, Rhonda has a beautiful aquarium and she loves her fish so much, that we think she should be on the cover with them. You can call the article 'A Fish called Rhonda.'" Granted, the idea had merit, but what would our readers say when they see this voluptuous blonde with a fish on the cover of a pet magazine? "Well, fish are pets too, and besides who has not had a fish at one time or another?" replied Rhonda defensively. I surely could not argue there; everyone I know had a fish as a pet once. But could we pull it off? As Carol and Rhonda said, "Darling, this is Hollywood." I like to think of myself as a creative person, but these two gals are incredible. They found an answer to all of my questions before I had a chance even to worry. A fabulous California photographer named Maggie Smith agreed to shoot as soon as she returned from her honeymoon. Designer Carol Wior, creator of the "Slimsuit"-- guaranteed to take an inch or more off-- was willing to design something special for the occasion. Katherine Baumann of Beverly Hills who designs handbags for the Oscars agreed to add a distinctive touch, and Jack Naderkhani manager of the Beverly Hills Hotel L'ermitage allowed us use of the hotel pool. Well, it was quite difficult finally getting around to it, Rhonda was so busy it was hard to catch her at one place, let alone for more than an hour, but patience and persistence finally paid off. This issue certainly promises to be one of the most unique.

Rhonda had an interesting start into show business. As a teen, she toured the beauty pageant circuit winning over 40 titles. She is far from the ditzy blonde bimbo she plays. She is in fact a college graduate holding a bachelor's degree in communications from Loyola University. She was accepted into law school, ran for public office, and made her television debut in a Bob Hope special. Since her show Up All Night ended, she has been busier than ever. Being an avid doll collector with more than 500 pieces, she is very excited about her new line of porcelain dolls by Paradise Gallery, which she promises will be aesthetically pleasing. Her new cigar, the Rhonda Shear Pinup Cigar, is now in production by Tabacalera Don Rafael S.A. She will also be hosting the Cigar Television Network, and do a monthly cigar special for CNBC. She just signed on as the spokesperson for Carol Wior's Celebrity Slimsuit, guaranteed to take an inch or more off, and her comedy show, Rhonda Shear's Kiss 'n' Tell Slumber Party, with pajamas by Carol Wior, is receiving rave reviews. It can be seen regularly at the ICE House in Pasadena and at Harrods' Improv in Las Vegas. Her web site www.rhondashear.com is also keeping her quite busy.

Rhonda admits to being a huge pet lover, with a soft spot for dogs. Growing up, although her mother was not big on pets, Rhonda had plenty, all her responsibility. Throughout her young life, she had a menagerie of fish and turtles. She had for a short while some ducks. "I was devastated when my ducks ran away. I am convinced my brother left the gate open." She also had a horned toad, named Totti the Toad, and while a teen, a young boyfriend gave her a poodle whom she named Fifi. "When I got to L.A., I got myself a yorkie, which I had for 15 years. Her name was Teafer. She weighed 2 pounds and I took her everywhere. She always sneaked on planes with me and I never got caught. A flight attendant once saw her and started to laugh. She never made any noise. I got a Pomeranian around the same time named Biscuit, and Teafer would not let Biscuit into the house. I felt terrible. These two little dogs could not get along for nothing, so Biscuit had to go. Teafer passed in her sleep when I was out of town. By then Up all Night had moved to New York and I was traveling every other week, so no matter how badly I wanted another yorkie, I knew it really could not have one."

Rhonda is very aquatic. She loves the beach and sailing, and that is why she says she enjoys fish. "I find the water very peaceful and soothing." It was while on the set of her film Earth Minus Zero that Rhonda got her tropical fish. There was a 1960's style aquarium with the little diver and colored gravel on the set and inside were four tropical fish. When the film was done, besides requesting her wardrobe, Rhonda asked for the tropical fish. Her four fish are called Miss Honey (that's Rhonda's middle name), Rhett Butler, Scarlett O' Hara, and Max. When she's on the road, she always purchases a goldfish to keep in her hotel bedroom. She enjoys having a glass of wine and watching the fish. Whenever she leaves, she gives the fish to someone special or interesting she meets in her travels. Rhonda finds her fish fun to watch and graceful, and she assures me that they are the ideal pet and yes, she does love her fish. Rhonda Shear is truly unique. Not only is she beautiful and talented, she is very smart and very funny, and whenever she is around you know there's something fishy going on.

-Kareem Tabsch is a freelance writer who specializes in celebrity interviews. He has interviewed celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Julio Iglesias, Barbara Mandrell and others. He writes frequently on animal related issues as well as on the entertainment industry.