Diana Canova

Diana Canova Headshot

Actress

Birth Date: June 1, 1953

Age: 71 years old

Birth Place: West Palm Beach, Florida

Diana Canova is an American actress best known for being part of the ensemble cast of ABC's soap opera spoof, "Soap." Canova is the daughter of musician Filberto Rivero and singer/actress Judy Canova. Canova grew up in the Los Angeles area and graduated from Hollywood High. Her first TV credit was in 1974, playing Richie Cunningham's extra tall blind date in an episode of the opening season of "Happy Days." In 1976, she appeared in "The First Nudie Musical," performing a number entitled "Perversion." In 1977, Canova was cast in as Corrine, the nymphomaniac daughter of Jessica Tate in the controversial prime time program "Soap."

The show was a success over its four seasons, leading to her appearances on other ABC shows, including the drama series "Fantasy Island," the romantic comedy series "The Love Boat," and the game show"The Hollywood Squares." In 1986, she starred in the syndicated sitcom "Throb," playing a divorced mother working at an indie record label. Canova was a member of the Church of Scientology but spoke out against the group in the early 1990s. She was last on the big screen in the 1998 drama "One True Thing" and has announced her retirement, although she has provided voices for a few children's cartoon shorts such as the family penguin adventure "Antarctic Antics" in 2000. Since her retirement Canova worked with local school theater productions in Redding, Connecticut.

Credits

Petunia

Narrator
Show
2019

Reading to Your Bunny

Voice
Show
2008

Space Case

Voice
Show
2001

Home Free

Actor
Vanessa Bailey
Series
1993

Throb

Actor
Sandy Beatty
Series
1986

Murder, She WroteStream

Guest Star
Annie Lawson
Series
1984

Hotel

Guest Star
Soap
1983

Night Partners

Actor
Lauren Hensley
Movie
1983

I'm a Big Girl Now

Actor
Diana Cassidy
Show
1980

Trapper John, M.D.

Guest Star
Series
1979

The Death of Ocean View Park

Actor
Sheila Brady
Movie
1979

Perry Como's Early American Christmas

Guest
Show
1978

Fantasy IslandStream

Guest Star
Series
1978

With This Ring

Actor
Dolores Andrews
Movie
1978

SoapStream

Actor
Corrine Tate
Series
1977

The Love Boat II

Actor
Donna Morley
Movie
1977

The First Nudie MusicalStream

Actor
Juanita
Movie
1976
86%

Starsky & HutchStream

Guest Star
Series
1975

Barney MillerStream

Guest Star
Stephanie Wolf
Series
1975

Chico and the ManStream

Guest Star
Series
1974

Happy DaysStream

Guest Star
Phyllis Denton
Series
1974