Ria Pavia
Ria Pavia is an award-winning director whose debut, Second Team, recently won over a dozen awards on the festival circuit from 2020- 2021. Pavia also works as a dialogue/acting coach, privately coaching dozens of actors to prepare them for set and self-tape auditions. Prior to her coaching work, Pavia worked as a stage director, helming more than 20 plays and musicals. In the theater world, she has collaborated with actors including Jennifer Aniston, Noah Wyle and Mark Ruffalo. Her debut as a director represents a new step into film and television for Pavia, who has worked extensively in the industry. Previously, she worked as a "punch up" writer for feature films and staff writer on Ask Harriet, starring Ed Asner, as well as Pauly, starring Pauly Shore. Pavia's varied experiences as a casting associate included the classic movies Twister, Dead Presidents, and Flirting with Disaster. Though she excelled in her directing roles, Pavia began her career as a commercial actor; her "big break" came via a memorable gymnastics performance in a tampon commercial in the 80s. She went on to recur on hit TV shows ranging from sitcoms like Who's the Boss and The Hughley's to the soap Santa Barbara, before moving behind the camera. Pavia's creative education began in high school as a Theatre Major at Interlochen Arts Academy. She then studied under Sanford Meisner in the West Indies and finished up her education at UCLA, with a focus on theatre, TV and film. Her most rigorous role to date is the title of "Mother" to three spirited spawn: Daughter, Adrianna (20) and twin boys Dominic and Rocco (17). Pavia is based in Los Angeles.
Acting
TV
How I Met Your Mother
as Gloria
2005
Movie
Candyman
as Monica
1992
TV
Married... with Children
as Kitty
1987
TV
ER
as Andrea Zucker
1994
TV
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
as Cindy
1993
Movie
Freeway
as Waitress
1996
TV
Freddy's Nightmares
as Ellen
1988
Movie
Dream a Little Dream
as Maureen
1989
Movie
She's Out of Control
as Robin
1989
Movie
Breast Men
as Darnell
1997
Movie
Hide and Go Shriek
as Malissa Morgan
1988
TV
Caroline in the City
as Tanya
1995
TV
Herman's Head
as Ellen
1991
TV
The John Larroquette Show
as Amy
1993
TV
American Dreams
2002
TV
The Hughleys
as Coach
1998
TV
The Hughleys
as Mrs. Milmore
1998
TV
The Hughleys
as Joan
1998
Movie
Student Exchange
as Student Bagley
1987
Movie
Kill Shot
as Polly
1995
Grown Ups
as Beth
1999
Movie
The Great O'Grady
as Reporter #2
1993
TV
Working
as Janet
1997
Movie
Roseanne and Tom: Behind the Scenes
as Cherie Barr
1994