Diana Canova

Diana Canova (born Diane Canova Rivero; June 1, 1953) is an American actress, director, and professor. She is best known for her role as Corinne Tate on Soap (1977-1980). Early life Canova was born Diane Canova Rivero in West Palm Beach, Florida, to actress and singer Judy Canova and Cuban musician Filberto Rivero. She was raised in the Greater Los Angeles Area, where she graduated from Hollywood High School. Canova later studied acting at Los Angeles City College. Career Canova made her television acting debut in a 1974 episode of Happy Days portraying a considerably taller date of Richie; in reality both she and Ron Howard are the same height at 5'9". She later guest-starred on episodes of Chico and the Man and Starsky and Hutch and appeared in television films. Canova then landed the role of Corinne Tate on Soap in 1977 opposite Katherine Helmond as her mother. She remained with the series until 1980. Canova was known for her singing, exhibited during Perry Como's "Early American Christmas" program in 1978. The show was filmed in Williamsburg, Virginia, featured John Wayne, and had musical numbers interwoven with storytelling. In 1979, she made an appearance on Barney Miller as nude dancer/graduate student Stephanie Wolf.