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Born an Air Force Brat January 29, 1963 in Fort Dix, New Jersey, Theresa Zaino spent much of her early childhood in England and upstate New York eventually settling in Palm Beach County, Florida when her father retired from the United States Air Force in 1973.
From an early age, Theresa developed a passion for music and dance. As a teenager, she became an active member of the North Palm Beach Country Club, where she studied jazz dance and performed on stage in several musical productions. She was also a dedicated member of the Jupiter “Warriors” Chorus throughout her middle and high school years, performing in numerous school variety shows and holiday events across Palm Beach County. In addition, Theresa joined the Jupiter High School all-girls chorus Serenity. During her junior year, Serenity earned First Place at the Palm Beach County Annual Music Contest in 1980 for their outstanding performance. After graduating high school, Theresa explored other avenues of interest, including nursing and dental assisting. However, her passion for entertaining and working with the public soon drew her back into the spotlight when she joined her future husband, Danny Zaino, in his martial arts programs. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Theresa performed in numerous self-defense demonstrations, showcasing both her talent and her ability to engage audiences. Her involvement expanded further when she took on the role of Assistant Head Coach for their nationally recognized National Team Pepsi “Show Team”, proudly sponsored by Pepsi Americas. From 2000 to 2008, Theresa traveled around the country with the team as they performed their unique martial arts shows. Behind the scenes, she skillfully managed the music and served as announcer, ensuring that each performance was professional, polished, and memorable. In 2006, the team was honored with the award for Outstanding Show Team of the Year. This recognition marked a new chapter in Theresa’s career, opening the door to opportunities in broadcasting. That same year, she and her husband, Danny launched The Danny & Theresa Zaino Martial Arts Radio Hour, a popular podcast they co-hosted together. The program originally aired on the Action Radio Network before expanding its reach in 2007, when the couple founded Martial Arts Entertainment Radio on the MASBTV Network. This venture allowed Theresa to bring her charisma, organizational talent, and love for the martial arts entertainment community into a new medium, connecting with listeners across the country. In 2009, Theresa expanded her presence in the entertainment world by helping to create Martial Arts Entertainment Magazine, an online publication dedicated to the martial arts community. The following year, in 2010, she and her husband, Danny launched Martial Arts Show Biz TV, a streaming, interview-based reality news show originally starring the Zaino family. Alongside these ventures, Theresa continued auditioning for roles in television commercials, keeping her passion for performance alive. In 2011, Theresa’s career took a different path when her manager, Hollywood Stunt Legend Kim Kahana Sr. from the famous Kahana Stunt & Film School suggested she become a licensed talent agent for the state to help supply talent for the school’s various productions. It wasn't an easy task, but with hard work and determination in 2012, she opened up a Florida-based talent agency in her hometown of Jupiter, Florida, called Action Entertainment Talent Agency, Inc., and quickly established the agency as a trusted name in talent representation. Always reaching for the stars, in 2017, Theresa elevated her agency to the national stage by becoming a Hollywood-franchised Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and American Fed- eration of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) agent. This milestone firmly established her as a respected figure in the professional entertainment industry, bridging opportunities for her agency’s talent across local, national, and Hollywood markets. Leveraging her extensive promotional background, Theresa co-created and co-hosted the Action Entertainment Hollywood News radio podcast designed to not only promote her agency’s roster of talent but also feature shows on Hollywood celebrities, entertainers, and living legends. Her work often extended beyond the airwaves, incorporating promotional articles and television interviews, further amplifying the visibility of both her clients and the entertainment community at large — earning her recognition as a true Hollywood Agent to the Stars. Currently, Theresa serves as the premier booking agent for Living The Dream Productions, Inc. and its subsidiaries, providing top-tier talent for shows across the MASBTV Network and the Hard Core Cooking Network, including the hit comedy sitcom Hard Core Cooking with Celebrity Cook Danny Zaino In addition to her achievements in the entertainment industry, Theresa is a highly accomplished martial artist, holding the prestigious rank of Judan (10th-Degree Black Belt). She began her martial arts journey in 1984 under the guidance of her future husband, Danny Zaino, and has remained dedicated to the arts for more than forty years. While rooted in the Goju-ryu style, she has also studied Kang Do Kwon Taekwondo and Thai Boxing. From 1985 to 2006, Theresa competed professionally at the state, national, and world levels. She also played an integral role in training their renowned National Team Pepsi “Show Team” (now Team Americas), working alongside her three children—Tony, Joey, and Dominique Zaino—who are all accomplished martial artists. Theresa’s journey extends far beyond martial arts and talent management. She continues to explore and elevate her creative pursuits, making her mark as a talented graphic artist, accomplished Hollywood TV, and film editor, published author, and dedicated advocate for clean beauty. Her multifaceted career reflects a deep passion for storytelling, visual expression, and purposeful living. |
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