CHYNA Biography - Other artists & entretainers

 
 

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CHYNA

Name: Joan Marie Laurer                                                           
Born: December 27, 1971                                                           
                                                                                   
Chyna (born Joan Marie Laurer on December 27, 1971) is an American actress         
and retired professional wrestler. A former bodybuilder, she is best known for     
her career with World Wrestling Entertainment from 1997 to 2001, where she was     
billed as "Chyna: "The Ninth Wonder of the World" (with the eighth wonder being   
AndrĂ© the Giant).                                                                 
                                                                                   
As a child, Laurer and her siblings had a structured, fairly affluent upbringing. 
She learned to play both the violin and cello.                                     
                                                                                   
Joanie Laurer left home at age 16 for Spain, under a scholarship with the United   
Nations. By 1987, she had graduated high school in Spain. She spent the next       
five years at the University of Tampa, graduating in 1992 with a major in         
Spanish Literature. During college, she also studied French and German;           
Laurer can converse in either language.She originally wanted to use her           
knowledge of foreign languages to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation     
or Drug Enforcement Administration.Subsequently, she joined the Peace Corps,       
and was assigned to Costa Rica to teach literacy.                                 
                                                                                   
After college, Laurer began to regularly enter fitness competitions. In 1996,     
Laurer competed in the New York City regional level of the Fitness America         
competition.