Tara Donna Reid, who celebrated her 48th birthday on November 8, 2023, is an accomplished American actress known for her diverse roles in both film and television.
She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Vicky in the successful “American Pie” film series, appearing in “American Pie” (1999), “American Pie 2” (2001), and “American Reunion” (2012). Additionally, she showcased her talent as Bunny Lebowski in the critically acclaimed film “The Big Lebowski” (1998).
Tara Reid brought charisma to the role of Victoria ‘Vicky’ Lathum, while Thomas Ian Nicholas portrayed the endearing and relatable character of Kevin Meyers in the “American Pie” series (Credit: Universal Pictures)
Success of ‘American Pie’ and Tara Reid’s Impact
Reid’s acting career began with her film debut in “A Return to Salem’s Lot” in 1987. She has since appeared in various notable films, including “Urban Legend” (1998), “Dr. T & the Women” (2000), “Josie and the Pussycats” (2001), “Van Wilder” (2002), “My Boss’s Daughter” (2003), and “Alone in the Dark” (2005). Her performances have showcased her versatility and range as an actress.
Reid’s breakthrough into mainstream success came with her portrayal of the innocent and relatable Vickie in the widely popular film “American Pie” (1999).
The movie achieved remarkable commercial success, grossing over $100 million in the United States and becoming her first film to top the box office charts. This pivotal role catapulted Reid’s career and showcased her talent and charm to a wide audience.
The Cast of ‘American Pie’: Ages and Key Moments
The main cast members were relatively young when “American Pie” was released on July 9, 1999. Jason Biggs, who played the lead character Jim Levenstein, was born on May 12, 1978, making him 21 years old at the time of the film’s release. Chris Klein, who portrayed Chris “Oz” Ostreicher, was born on March 14, 1979, and was also 20 years old.
Tara Reid, who celebrated her 47th birthday on November 8, 2022, attends Netflix’s A Tourist’s Guide to Love special screening at Netflix Tudum Theater on April 13, 2023, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: DDP / INSTARimages)
Thomas Ian Nicholas, who played Kevin Myers, was born on July 10, 1980, and turned 19 just one day after the film’s release.
Eddie Kaye Thomas, who portrayed Paul Finch, was born on October 31, 1980, and was 18. Seann William Scott, who brought the iconic Stifler to life, was born on October 3, 1976, and was 22 years old during the film’s release.
Tara Reid, who played Vicky in American Pie, was born on November 8, 1975. The film was released on July 9, 1999, when she was 23 years old.
Jennifer Coolidge got her big break playing Jeanine Stifler, famously known as “Stifler’s mom,” in American Pie. Born on August 28, 1961, she was 37 years old when the movie was released. She turned 38 on August 28, 1999.
Navigating MPAA’s Guidelines: The Challenges of Securing an R-Rating
The film American Pie initially received an NC-17 rating from the MPAA, which required three resubmissions to secure an R rating. Certain scenes had to be edited or trimmed to meet the necessary criteria. One of the primary reasons for the NC-17 decision was the infamous pie scene.
The NC-17 rating is more restrictive and signifies that no one under 17 is admitted, while the R rating permits viewers under 17 if accompanied by an adult.
Jim inserted four thrusts into the pastry in the original cut, exceeding the acceptable R-rating limit. Eventually, the filmmakers and the MPAA reached a compromise, reducing the number of thrusts to two.
Actress Tara Reid was 23 years old when she attended the world premiere of the coming-of-age teen sex comedy film “American Pie” on July 7, 1999 (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
The opening scrambled porno scene also contained dialogue that was considered too explicit. The line “ride me like a pony” was initially “blow your wad on my tits,” while “spank my hairy ass” was originally “play with my hairy balls.”
In another instance, after Stifler consumes beer laced with ejaculate, Kevin’s line asking him, “Hey Stifler, how’s the pale-ale?” was altered from the original “Hey Stifler, how’s the man-chowder?” The MPAA objected to the use of “man-chowder,” leading to its replacement.
Additionally, in the scene where Nadia is seen masturbating to Jim’s porn magazine, the shot of her placing her hand inside her panties was shortened by a few seconds.
Lastly, the duration of the scene where Kevin performs oral sex on Vicky was deemed too long, resulting in the removal of certain moaning sounds. Through editing and adjustments, the filmmakers navigated the MPAA’s guidelines and secured an R-rating for “American Pie.”
The American Pie movie series features a talented ensemble cast, including Shannon Elizabeth as Nadia, Jason Biggs as Jim Levenstein, Natasha Lyonne as Jessica, Thomas Ian Nicholas as Kevin Meyers, Alyson Hannigan as Michelle Flaherty, Chris Klein as Chris ‘Oz’ Ostreicher, Tara Reid as Victoria ‘Vicky’ Lathum, Mena Suvari as Heather, Seann William Scott as Steve Stifler, and Eddie Kaye Thomas as Paul Finch (Credit: Universal Pictures)
Behind the Scenes: Tara Reid Reflects on the ‘American Pie’ Experience
During a November 2021 interview with Page Six, Tara Reid shared that there were no romantic entanglements among the cast members during the filming of “American Pie.” She revealed that none of the stars hooked up with each other on set, emphasizing that she could confidently put that on the record.
According to Reid, the cast’s young age at the time played a role in their decision not to date. Being only 23 years old herself when the movie premiered, she explained that they all became more like a family, treating each other as brothers and sisters. This created a strong sense of respect and a strict no-hooking-up policy.
Furthermore, Reid mentioned that many of the cast members were already involved in relationships outside of the film during that period. She emphasized that the primary focus was on creating a great film together and maintaining the chemistry on set, rather than engaging in personal relationships.
Tara Reid played the character Vicky Lathum, Jim Levenstein’s girlfriend, while Natasha Lyonne portrayed Jessica, one of Jim’s friends and a member of the “Band Camp” crew, in the American Pie movie series (Credit: Universal Pictures)
“A lot of us [stay in touch],” Reid said. “And the ones that don’t [with me] are in touch with the other ones, but the group is definitely still really great with each other.”
Tara Reid’s Fashion Choices and Red Carpet Moments
Building upon the original film’s success, Reid reprised her role as Vickie in “American Pie 2” (2001). The sequel opened with an impressive $45 million and surpassed its predecessor, grossing over $145 million in the United States. The film’s triumph solidified Reid’s standing in the franchise and established her as a recognizable face in the industry.
While Reid did not appear in “American Wedding” (2003), the third installment of the series, she made a triumphant return in “American Reunion” (2012), the fourth theatrical film in the franchise. Her reprisal of the beloved character delighted fans and contributed to the film’s success.
Tara Reid wears her blonde hair down at the premiere Of Vertical Entertainment’s “Undrafted” held on July 11, 2016, in Hollywood, California (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)
The ‘Sharknado’ Star’s Style: A Look at Tara Reid’s Red Carpet Appearances
Did you hear about Tara Reid‘s walk-off from Jenny McCarthy’s radio show? After it happened, spectators tried to decide whether Tara needed an attitude adjustment.
But, we weren’t sure which side to take after seeing Miss Reid’s hospitality toward paparazzi during the red carpet premiere of “Undrafted” in July 2016.
Tara Reid wears an embellished short-sleeve dress at the premiere of “Undrafted” (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)
Tara chatted with the people behind the cameras as she posed for them on the Hollywood carpet. The “Sharknado” star slipped into a gorgeous embellished short dress with billowing bell sleeves.
Tara accessorized her dress with a slim patent belt, a silver bracelet, a watch, and a pair of Givenchy ‘Shark Lock’ ankle-strap sandals in black suede.
Tara Reid’s feet in black suede Givenchy sandals (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)
Her “Shark Lock” sandals aligned perfectly with the movie’s theme. Her shoe choice was likely not a coincidence, as the footwear cleverly played into the film’s narrative.
Tara warmly engaged with the paparazzi, and when asked about the upcoming “Sharknado” sequel, her excitement was palpable as she eagerly discussed the premiere.
For those interested in Tara’s style, her Givenchy “Shark Lock” sandals can be found at retailers like Farfetch and Mytheresa.
Givenchy Leather “Shark Lock” d’Orsay Sandal, $1,095