In all likelihood, you would probably recognize Caroline Rhea for her role in the hit 90’s show Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Specifically, Rhea was cast as Hilda Spellman, the aunt of Sabrina (played by Mellisa Joan Hart). However, you may also know her for her stand-up specials, cameos, or many other roles. Since her break out success on Sabrina, Rhea has played a variety of roles in competition shows, movies, and cartoons.
Early Life
Rhea was born on April 13th, 1964 in Quebec, Canada. Her parents were both physicians, with her mother specializing in obstetrics and her father in gynecology.
She attended a prestigious private school, The Study, in her native Quebec during her grade school years. This school is girls-only, and has had a strong reputation for many decades. Upon graduation, she went on to further her studies at both Dalhousie University (a school in Nova Scotia) and the University of Arizona.
From there, she decided to pursue a career in Comedy.
Standup Comedy Career
Like most great comedic actors and actresses, Caroline started off in stand-up comedy. Notably, she came up alongside stand-up royalty, such as Chris Rock and Jim Gaffigan.
Rhea frequented historic comedy venues such as The Comic Strip and others around New York City. Over her career, she has produced three separate, well-received comedy specials for Bravo, HBO, and Showtime.
Acting Career
Caroline has played major roles in many different productions, with her most well-known role clearly being Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Like so many before her, Caroline decided to make the move from NYC to LA to pursue acting. In no time at all, she secured a starring role on the show Pride and Joy alongside a young Jeremy Piven.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Of all the parts Rhea has played, Hilda Spellman was the most iconic. She was beloved by fans for her witty lines and perfect timing.
She remained on Sabrina for six seasons, returning in a guest capacity on the seventh and final season.
When Sabrina finally came to a close, Caroline went on to appear in numerous television and film series.
The Biggest Loser
While Caroline may have found her niche in comedy, she has also served as a host of reality TV game shows such as The Biggest Loser, where contestants compete to see who can lose the most weight.
The Perfect Man
The romantic comedy film The Perfect Man received mixed reviews at the box office. Rhea played Gloria, a friend of the main character.
Christmas with the Kranks
Christmas with the Kranks is a holiday comedy. It features Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis as the main characters, with Rhea playing the role of Nora’s (Jamie Lee Curtis) friend.
Sordid Lives: The Series
Serving as a prequel to the movie by the same name. Caroline plays a white trash friend of the main character throughout this short-lived series.
Phineas and Ferb
Branching out from standard acting gigs, Rhea then went on to play Linda Flynn-Fletcher, Phineas’s mother in this wildly popular animated kids show. Phineas and Ferb lasted for 4 official seasons with a total of 129 episodes.
Caroline and Friends
Rhea then went on to host Caroline and Friends, a show similar to America’s Funniest Home Videos, in which Rhea watches, reacts to, and narrates silly videos.
Where is Caroline Rhea doing now?
Acting
Carline is still acting. Recently she played the character of ‘Judy’ in the Disney Channel show Sydney to the Max. The show lasted for 3 seasons, ending in 2021.
Caroline Rhea made an appearance in the Netflix produced series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but her character plays quite a different role.
In the reprisal, Rhea is featured as an evil demon (alongside her former partner in crime from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Beth Broderick) instead of a helpful witch.
Comedy
In 2022, Caroline began to participate in the Canadian version of the international comedy Last One Laughing.
During the course of the show, the contestants (all comedians) attempt to make each other laugh, while not laughing themselves. Those who laugh are eliminated from the game until there is only one contestant left standing.
Caroline is still doing standup comedy and often tours the country performing at various comedy clubs.
Conventions
(photo: Fandom Spotlite)
Today, it’s easy to find your favorite celebrities at various conventions around the world. In 2022, she attended two separate conventions, The Awesome Con and The 90’s Con. She often attends conventions with her Sabrina The Teenage Wtich costars, Melissa Joan Hart and Beth Broderick, where they sign autographs and answers questions for adoring fans.
As of right now, Caroline doesn’t have any public events scheduled, and she is not expected to attend any more conferences at this time. However, this could change quickly, should another event spring up.
Personal Life
In the early 2000’s, Rhea was engaged to Bob Kelty. Sadly, they broke up and were never married.
Rhea was married to stand-up comedian Costaki Economopoulos from 2007 until their divorce in 2010.
They have a 14 year old daughter named Ava Rhea Economopoulos.
Children
Ava Rhea Economopoulos
Rhea has described her daughter as her miracle baby.
Having tried to conceive for quite some time with her then husband Economopoulos, but with no luck, Caroline found herself childless at 44 years old. She desperately wanted a baby, but it didn’t seem like she was going to be able to have a child naturally.
Then, in the midst of her struggles with fertility, Rhea found out that both her father and mother had been diagnosed with cancer. Just a few months later, her father succumbed to the illness and passed away. Her mother lived for another 6 years after that, but then she too passed on.
However, only a short while after her father’s death, Caroline found out that she was pregnant through natural conception.
Caroline Rhea has had an interesting, multifaceted career which spanned different formats and many decades. She continues to be active in comedy circles and has served as a role model for many young, aspiring comedians.
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