Raye Hollitt Biography: Children, Age, Height, Net Worth, TV Shows, Parents, Husband, Ethnicity

Raye Hollitt, better known to fans as “Zap” on the iconic 1990s television series American Gladiators, is an American actress, professional bodybuilder, model, and stunt performer.

With her powerful physique and fearless on-screen presence, she became one of the most recognizable faces of the original Gladiators franchise, competing across all seven seasons and earning a reputation as a fierce yet approachable competitor.

Beyond the arena, Hollitt carved out a niche in action and exploitation films, often performing her own stunts, and remains a respected pioneer for women in strength sports and fitness entertainment.

Profile

• Full Name: Raye Hollitt
• Stage Name: Zap (American Gladiators)
• Born: April 17, 1964
• Age: 61 years old
• Birthplace: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Professional Bodybuilder, Model, Stunt Performer
• Height: 1.68m
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Ted Prior (married 1990–1992)
• Children: Teddi Rae Prior
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Raye Hollitt was born on April 17, 1964, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to parents whose names are unknown.

Details about her having any siblings remain private.

She discovered weight training in her late teens and quickly became obsessed with building strength and muscle.

Hollitt attended college briefly but left to pursue fitness full-time, eventually relocating to California to chase opportunities in bodybuilding and entertainment.

Her ethnicity is European-American, and she has never publicly discussed religious beliefs.

Career

Raye Hollitt burst onto the national scene in 1987 when she began competing in professional bodybuilding contests under the stage name “Rain.”

She placed in the top tier of several NPC and IFBB events and earned attention for her striking combination of size, symmetry, and beauty.

That visibility led to her casting in 1989 as one of the original female Gladiators on the groundbreaking syndicated series American Gladiators.

As “Zap,” she competed in every season from 1990 to 1996, excelling in events like Powerball, Atlasphere, and Hang Tough, and became a fan favorite for her intensity and sportsmanship.

The show’s massive popularity turned her into a household name and opened doors in acting and modeling.

After establishing herself on television, Hollitt transitioned into film, primarily in the action and B-movie circuit popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

She appeared in titles such as Skin Deep (1989) opposite John Casale, The Immortalizer (1990), and several projects alongside her then-husband, actor Ted Prior, including Born Killer (1989) and Raw Nerve (1991).

Hollitt frequently performed her own stunts, capitalizing on her athletic background, and landed roles that showcased her physique in films like Hot Under the Collar (1992) and Cyborg 3: The Recycler (1995).

She also made guest appearances on shows like JAG and Baywatch and continued fitness modeling for magazines and supplement brands.

Raye Hollitt stepped back from regular competition and acting in the late 1990s to focus on family, though she never fully left the fitness world.

She has made occasional convention appearances, participated in American Gladiators reunion events, and maintains a loyal following among fans of the original series and 90s pop culture.

Her pioneering role as a female Gladiator helped normalize muscular women on mainstream television and inspired countless athletes who followed in strength sports and entertainment.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @raye.hollitt
• Facebook Handle: Raye Hollitt
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Raye Hollitt married actor and bodybuilder Ted Prior in 1990; the couple welcomed daughter Teddi Rae Prior the following year but divorced in 1992.

She raised Teddi largely as a single mother while continuing her career.

Hollitt has kept subsequent romantic relationships private and currently lives a low-key life in the United States, occasionally sharing fitness throwbacks and family moments online.

Filmography

• Skin Deep (1989)
• Born Killer (1989)
• The Immortalizer (1990)
• Raw Nerve (1991)
• Hot Under the Collar (1992)
• Cyborg 3: The Recycler (1995)
• American Gladiators (1990–1996, as Zap)
• JAG (1997)

Net Worth

Raye Hollitt has an estimated net worth of $2 million.

She earned the bulk of her wealth from seven seasons as a lead Gladiator on American Gladiators, residuals and syndication royalties, action-film roles and stunt work, fitness modeling contracts, and personal appearances over the decades.