Ian Ziering

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Ian Ziering
Ziering in 2023
Born
Ian Andrew Ziering

(1964-03-30) March 30, 1964 (age 59)
EducationWest Orange High School
Alma materWilliam Paterson University
OccupationActor
Years active1981–present
Spouses
  • (m. 1997; div. 2002)
  • Erin Kristine Ludwig
    (m. 2010; div. 2022)
Children2

Ian Andrew Ziering (/ˈən ˈzɪərɪŋ/; born March 30, 1964) is an American actor best known for his role as Steve Sanders on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210, which he played from 1990 to 2000. He is also the voice of Vinnie on Biker Mice from Mars. From 2013 to 2018, he starred as Fin Shepard in the Sharknado film series. In 2019, he played the DC Comics character Blue Devil on the series Swamp Thing.

Early life[edit]

Ziering was born in Newark, New Jersey, the youngest of three boys for Muriel (1925–1998) and Paul M. Ziering (1921–2008), an educator, orchestra leader, and saxophonist.[1][2][3] He grew up in West Orange, New Jersey and has two older brothers, Jeff and Barry. Ziering is Jewish (his family is from Russia and Austria).[4][5] He graduated from West Orange High School in 1982, and from William Paterson University in 1988.[6]

Career[edit]

In 1990, Ziering began his portrayal of the character Steve Sanders on the hit series Beverly Hills, 90210. Sanders was a high school student and friend of Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestley), one of the series' other central characters. He is one of only four series regulars to appear on the show for its entire duration of ten seasons until 2000.

In 1998, Ziering was cast as the voice of Dr. Niko "Nick" Tatopoulos in Godzilla: The Series, which was a direct follow-up to the 1998 film. Ziering replaced Matthew Broderick, who portrayed Nick Tatopolous in the film.[7]

In 2006, Ziering produced, directed and starred in the short film Man vs. Monday, which won the Audience Choice Award at the 2006 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.[citation needed] Also in 2006, he won the Best Actor Award at the 2006 Monaco Film Festival for his portrayal of Francis in the independent film Stripped Down.[citation needed]

Ziering has also appeared in the television series JAG, What I Like About You, The Doctors as Erich Aldrich and Guiding Light as Cameron Stewart. He also had a role in the videogame Freelancer as the protagonist, Edison Trent.

Ziering at NBCUniversal's Summer TCA Tour on July 14, 2014

He was a celebrity dancer in 2007 on Season 4 of Dancing with the Stars.[8] His professional dance partner was Cheryl Burke, who won the competition in Season 2 with partner Drew Lachey and Season 3 with partner Emmitt Smith. Ziering made it to the semi-finals, and received a perfect score (three 10s) from the judges for one of his two dances in the round. However, it was not enough to reach the finals: he and Burke were eliminated during the results show the next day on May 15, 2007. In 2016 Burke said the experience of working with Ziering made her want to "slit her wrists".[9] She later apologized, not to Ziering, but for making a thoughtless reference to suicide. Ziering did not comment publicly on Burke's comments beyond re-tweeting a message from a former co-worker that praised him as a great person to be around.

On June 18, 2007, Variety reported that Ziering had auditioned the previous week for the opportunity to succeed Bob Barker as host of The Price Is Right.[10] The job ultimately went to Drew Carey.[11] Ziering's ex-wife, Nikki, was a model on the show from 1999 to 2002.

In May, 2013, it was announced that Ziering would be performing with Chippendales as a celebrity guest star for four weeks at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.[12]

In 2015, he appeared on Celebrity Apprentice on NBC.

In 2018, he competed on Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition.[13]

In 2019, he was cast to play the superhero, Blue Devil, on the show Swamp Thing, in the DC Universe streaming service. The show ran for only one season, though it was positively received by critics and audiences.

Personal life[edit]

Ziering married Playboy model Nikki Schieler in July 1997. She converted to Judaism before marrying him.[14] They filed for divorce in February 2002, citing irreconcilable differences.[15] Nikki has said that the separation was contentious and she was not given any support or help moving out; a spokesperson for Ziering stated Nikki was "compensated above and beyond the prenup".[16]

On February 3, 2010, Ziering announced his engagement to Erin Ludwig.[17] The couple married at a ceremony in Newport Beach, California, on May 28, 2010. They have two daughters, Mia Loren (born April 25, 2011)[18] and Penna Mae (born April 25, 2013).[19] On October 31, 2019, Ziering announced that the couple had separated. The divorce was finalized October 4, 2022.[20][21]

Ziering was involved in an altercation with a group of mini-bike riders in Los Angeles December 31, 2023. Ziering reported on social media that both he and his daughter, Penna, who was in the car when the group attacked her father, were uninjured.[22]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1981 Endless Love Sammy Butterfield Film debut
1995 Savate Cain Parker Direct-to-video
1995 No Way Back Victor Serlano
1996 Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off Wildwing Flashblade Voice, direct-to-video
2005 Domino Himself
2005 Six Months Later Michael Short film
2006 Stripped Down Francis
2006 Man vs. Monday Dan Smith Short film; also director
2007 Tyrannosaurs Azteca Cortes
2009 Step Seven Richard Miller/Brother Abraham Short film
2010 Hopelessly Devoted unknown role Short film
2011 The Legend of Awesomest Maximus Testiclees
2012 That's My Boy TV Version Donny
2012 McKenna Shoots for the Stars Mr. Brooks
2013 Disney's Vehicle Movies unknown role Voice, short film
2013 Snake & Mongoose Keith Black
2014 Christmas in Palm Springs Teddy
2016 Killer Deal Nick Steel Short film; also producer
2017 F the Prom Ken Reede
2019 Malibu Rescue Gavin Cross Netflix film
2021 Hunters

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1981–1982 The Doctors Erich Aldrich 2 episodes
1987 Guiding Light Cameron Stewart Contract role
1988 ABC Afterschool Specials Randy Forrester Episode: "Terrible Things My Mother Told Me"
1990 CBS Schoolbreak Special Donnie Episode: "Flour Babies"
1990 Married...with Children The Kid Episode: "The Unnatural"
1990–2000 Beverly Hills, 90210 Steve Sanders, Ronnie Robertson Series Regular; 292 episodes
Producer of 8 episodes
Director of Episode: "I'm Using You 'Cause I Like You"
Writer of Episode: "Sentenced to Life" (story by)
1992 Melrose Place Steve Sanders 3 episodes
1992 The Legend of Prince Valiant Unknown Voice, 2 episodes
1992 Parker Lewis Can't Lose Himself Episode: "Geek Tragedy"
1993–1996 Biker Mice from Mars Vinnie Voice, main role
1994 Aaahh!!! Real Monsters Gludge Voice, episode: "Smile and Say Oblina/The Great Wave"
1994 Beverly Hills, 90210: A Christmas Special Himself Television film
1995 The Women of Spring Break George Peck Television film
1996 Subliminal Seduction Darrin Danver Television film
1996–1997 Mighty Ducks Wildwing Flashblade Voice, main role
1998 V.I.P. Peter, Tasha's ex-husband Episode: "Bloody Val-entine"
1998 All-Star Party for Aaron Spelling Himself Television special
1998 78th Annual Miss America Pageant Himself (Judge) Television special
1998–1999 Hollywood Squares Himself (Panelist) Recurring role; 10 episodes
1998–2001 Godzilla: The Series Dr. Niko Tatopoulos Voice, 40 episodes
1999 Love Boat: The Next Wave Joshua Krumb Episode: "Don't Judge a Book by Its Lover"
1999 Batman Beyond Mason Forrest Voice, episode: "The Winning Edge"
2000 Twice in a Lifetime Dr. Steven Weaver/Lance Kensington Episode: "Even Steven"
2001 Inside Schwartz Parker Episode: "Event Night"; uncredited
2001 JAG Captain William Shepard Episode: "Ambush"
2001 The Test Himself (Panelist) Episode: "The PDA Test"
2002 Son of the Beach Harry Johnson 3 episodes
2002 What I Like About You Paul Cody Episode: "Copy That"
2003 Spider-Man: The New Animated Series Harry Osborn Voice, main role
2006–2007 Biker Mice from Mars Vinnie/Brie Fish/Taonga Voice, main role
2007 Side Order of Life Brian Fowler 3 episodes
2007 Drawn Together Chase Huffington Voice, episode: "Drawn Together Babies"
2007 Dancing with the Stars Himself (Contestant) Reality Television
2008 Lava Storm John Wilson Television film
2008 Your Mama Don't Dance Himself (Host) Series Regular; 8 episodes
2009 The Christmas Hope Nathan Andrews Television film
2010 CSI: NY Thom Weir Episode: "Pot of Gold"
2010 Elopement David Drummond Television film
2011 Happily Divorced Robert, Support Group Leader Episode: "Spousal Support"
2013 Sharknado Fin Shepard Television film
2013 Deadtime Stories Mr. Tyler Episode: "Terror in Tiny Town"
2013 Hell's Kitchen Himself (Restaurant Patron) Episode: "9 Chef's Compete"
2013 Shark After Dark Himself (Guest) Episode: "Sharkmania!"
2013 Oprah: Where Are They Now? Himself (Guest) Episode: "90210 Star Ian Ziering"
2014 Sharknado 2: The Second One Fin Shepard Television film
2014 Sproutnado: Ocean Weather Report Weather Reporter Television film
2014 94th Annual Miss America Pageant Himself (Judge) Television special
2014 On Your Marc! Himself (Guest) Episode: "Ian Ziering"
2014 Sproutnado: Synchronized Swimming Himself – Swimmer Television film
2014 Sproutnado: So Many Numbers in the Ocean Himself – Swimmer Television film
2014 Sproutnado: Shark Costume Delivery Himself – Movie Star Television film
2014 The Wil Wheaton Project Himself (Guest) Episode: "Wil Master: Axis of Wheaton"
2014 America's Healthiest Heroes Himself (Host)
2014–2016 Celebrity Name Game Himself (Celebrity Player) Recurring role; 5 episodes
2015 Defiance Conrad Von Bach Episode: "The Beauty of Our Weapons"
2015 Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! Fin Shepard Television film
2015 Lavalantula Fin Shepard Television film
2015 Celebrity Apprentice Himself (Contestant) 8 episodes
2016 The Muppets. Himself Episode: "A Tail of Two Piggies"
2016 Hashtaggers Himself Episode: "#Colin'sRival with Ian Ziering"
2016 Sharknado: The 4th Awakens Fin Shepard Television film; also co-executive producer
2017 Sharknado 5: Global Swarming Fin Shepard Television film; also co-executive producer
2017 Battle of the Network Stars Himself (Contestant) Episode: "Primetime Soaps vs. ABC Stars"
2018 The Thundermans Young Thunder Man Episode: "The Thundredth"
2018 Aussie Girl Himself Episode: "Crafty Service"
2018 Worst Cooks in America Himself (Contestant) Series Regular; 6 episodes
2018 Celebrity Family Feud Himself (Contestant) Episode: "Sherri Shepherd vs. Ian Ziering"
2018 The Last Sharknado: It's About Time Fin Shepard Television Movie; also Executive Producer
2019 Swamp Thing Dan Cassidy / Blue Devil[23] Recurring role
2019 Malibu Rescue Gavin Cross Recurring role
2019 BH90210 Himself/Steve Sanders Co-producer
2019 Zombie Tidal Wave Hunter Shaw Television film; also writer and producer
2020 The Order Himself Netflix series; episode: "Spring Outbreak, Part 2".
2021 The Other Two Himself Episode: "Chase Guest-Edits Vogue"
2023 Clone High Himself Voice[24]

Video games[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2003 Freelancer Edison Trent Microsoft Game Studios
2006 Biker Mice from Mars Vinnie PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS

Dancing with the Stars season 4[edit]

Week # Dance / Song Judges' Score Result
Inaba Goodman Tonioli
1 Cha-Cha-Cha / "Mony Mony" 7 7 7 No Elimination
2 Quickstep / "Don't Get Me Wrong" 7 8 7 Safe
3 Jive / "Hard Headed Woman" 8 8 8 Safe
4 Waltz / "He Was Beautiful" 7 9 8 Safe
5 Samba / "Dance Like This" 8 8 8 Safe
6 Paso Doble / "Waiting for Tonight" 8 8 8 Safe
Swing / "Rock This Town" No scores given
7 Tango / "Holding Out for a Hero" 9 9 9 Safe
Mambo / "Gimme the Light" 9 9 9
8 Foxtrot / "Baby, It's Cold Outside" 8 7 7 Safe
Rumba / "Imagine" 8 8 9
9
Semi-finals
Tango / "Maneater" 9 10 9 Eliminated
Jive / "All Shook Up" 10 10 10

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Paul M. Ziering Obituary: View Paul Ziering's Obituary by Star-Ledger". Star-Ledger. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  2. ^ "Monday's Dancing with the Stars: What You Didn't See". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  3. ^ Bloom, Nate (October 20, 2008). "Jewish Stars". Cleveland Jewish News.
  4. ^ "Ziering Dominates with Blonde Ambition | Arts | Jewish Journal". Archived from the original on November 8, 2009.
  5. ^ "Ian Ziering glad to share his happy life | Hollywood | Jewish Journal". Archived from the original on July 22, 2016.
  6. ^ "THE ULTIMATE NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK: T-Z AND ALSO...", The Star-Ledger, June 27, 1999. Accessed August 4, 2007.
  7. ^ Goldstein, Rich (May 18, 2014). "A Comprehensive History of Toho's Original Kaiju (and Atomic Allegory) Godzilla". The Daily Beast. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  8. ^ "Meet the New Cast of 'Dancing With the Stars". Good Morning America. February 21, 2007.
  9. ^ "Dancing with the Stars: Cheryl Burke Apologizes for Ian Ziering Jab". April 17, 2016.
  10. ^ "Is Rosie right for 'Price'?". Variety. June 18, 2007
  11. ^ Strauss, Gary; Levin, Gary (July 24, 2007). "Game show 'Price' is right for Carey". USA Today.
  12. ^ Moraski, Lauren (May 17, 2013). "'Beverly Hills 90210' star Ian Ziering: Why I'm taking my shirt off for Chippendales". CBS News.
  13. ^ "Worst Cooks in America, Season 13: Meet the Celebrity Recruits".
  14. ^ "Ziering Dominates with Blonde Ambition | Arts | Jewish Journal". Archived from the original on November 8, 2009.
  15. ^ "Breaking Celeb News, Entertainment News, and Celebrity Gossip". E! Online. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  16. ^ "When Hollywood Marriages Go Wrong". Entertainment Weekly. November 25, 2005.
  17. ^ Salem News: "Erin Kristine Ludwig to wed Ian Ziering" Archived 2014-05-06 at the Wayback Machine February 14, 2010
  18. ^ "Ian Ziering Welcomes Daughter Mia Loren". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  19. ^ Herbst, Diane (April 26, 2013). "Ian Ziering Welcomes Daughter Penna Mae". People. Archived 2013-04-27 at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ "Ian Ziering Reveals He and Wife Erin Have Split, Says They Grew Apart Amid 'Hectic Work Schedules'". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  21. ^ "Ian Ziering's Wife Erin Ludwig Files for Divorce Days After Split Announcement". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  22. ^ Petski, Denise (January 1, 2024). "Ian Ziering Attacked By Bikers On New Year's Eve In Los Angeles: "I Find It Unacceptable That Groups Can Freely Engage In This Behavior, Causing Fear & Chaos" — Update". Deadline. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  23. ^ Petski, Denise (December 12, 2018). "'Swamp Thing': Ian Ziering To Play Daniel Cassidy In DC Universe Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  24. ^ Clarendon, Dan (March 25, 2023). "'Clone High' First Look: See Who's Joining the Cast and Which Character Is Gone". TV Insider. Retrieved April 7, 2023.

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