The Shocking Truth About Big Rhonda: Why That '70s Show's Controversial Character Wouldn't Be Allowed Today
Few recurring characters from That '70s Show spark as much debate in modern retrospective articles as Rhonda Tate, better known to fans as "Big Rhonda." Her brief but memorable arc as Fez's formidable love interest in Season 4 left a lasting impression, not just for her brash personality and surprising athleticism, but also for the highly problematic way the character was physically portrayed. As of December 2025, the conversation around her character is less about nostalgia and more about how her storyline reflects outdated comedic tropes, making her a fascinating case study in how television comedy has evolved.
The character of Big Rhonda, a self-proclaimed "county hotdog eating champion," was designed to be a caricature, a foil to the main group's dynamics. However, the revelation that the actress was wearing padding to achieve the character's size has led to significant critique, especially in the context of body positivity movements today. This deep dive explores the actress behind the role, her complete biography, the character's full arc, and the reasons why Big Rhonda remains a controversial yet essential part of the show’s legacy.
Cynthia Ann LaMontagne: The Actress Behind Big Rhonda
The powerhouse actress who brought the spirited Rhonda Tate to life is Cynthia Ann LaMontagne. While Big Rhonda is arguably her most recognized role, LaMontagne had a solid career as a working actress in the 1990s and 2000s, primarily in comedy and drama. Her professional career spanned over a decade before she ultimately stepped away from the spotlight.
- Full Name: Cynthia Ann LaMontagne
- Date of Birth: February 15, 1966
- Place of Birth: United States
- Career Span: c. 1993 – 2008
- Status: Reportedly a retired actress
- Notable Film Roles:
- Carlito's Way (1993)
- Flirting with Disaster (1996)
- American Virgin (2000)
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) (as Female Bartender)
- Notable Television Roles:
- That '70s Show (2001–2002) as Big Rhonda (6 episodes)
- Frasier (as Annie)
- The Ski Lodge (That '70s Show, Season 3, Episode 11) (as Annie)
LaMontagne's career often saw her in supporting roles, showcasing her strong comedic timing. Interestingly, she appeared in a different, non-Rhonda role in That '70s Show Season 3, playing a character named Annie in the famous "The Ski Lodge" episode, a detail often missed by casual viewers. Her last major film credit was in the 2008 hit comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall, after which she appears to have retired from acting, choosing a more private life away from Hollywood.
The Complete Arc of Rhonda Tate: Fez's Formidable Girlfriend
Big Rhonda was introduced as a recurring character in Season 4 of That '70s Show, primarily serving as a love interest for Fez, the foreign exchange student. Her character provided a stark contrast to the main female cast members like Jackie Burkhart and Donna Pinciotti, being physically imposing, aggressive, and highly competitive. The character’s full name is Rhonda Tate, though she is almost exclusively referred to by the gang as "Big Rhonda."
Rhonda's six-episode arc provided several memorable, albeit divisive, storylines:
- Introduction: Rhonda first appears when the gang tries to help Hyde find a girlfriend, but she ends up connecting with Fez instead. She is immediately established as a dominant personality.
- The Relationship: Her relationship with Fez is characterized by her physical and emotional dominance. She often dictates their activities and is shown to be far more sexually experienced and assertive than Fez is accustomed to, flipping the traditional gender dynamic on its head.
- Key Entities & Storylines: She is established as the "county hotdog eating champion," a detail that contributes to her "bigger" persona. In the episode "Red and Stacey" (Season 4, Episode 10), Rhonda and Jackie Burkhart have a memorable interaction where Jackie attempts to give Rhonda a makeover, highlighting the contrast between Jackie's superficiality and Rhonda's brash self-confidence.
- Alternate Reality: In the classic Christmas episode "It's a Wonderful Life" (Season 4, Episode 12), Rhonda appears in an alternate timeline where Eric Forman never kissed Donna Pinciotti. In this reality, she is married to Fez, and they have a large family, further cementing her importance in Fez's potential future.
- Departure: Rhonda’s appearances conclude in Season 4, and her character is written out when she breaks up with Fez, allowing his character to move on to other romantic pursuits.
Her presence was a breath of fresh air for some, offering a different female archetype than the sitcom usually provided, while for others, she was simply a vehicle for fat-shaming jokes and a one-dimensional character.
The Controversy: Why Big Rhonda's Portrayal is Problematic Today
The most significant, and most discussed, aspect of Big Rhonda's character today is the way she was physically portrayed. The actress, Cynthia LaMontagne, is not the size of the character she played. Instead, she wore a padded bodysuit or "fat suit" to create the impression of a larger person. This creative decision is the central reason why the character is often cited as one that "wouldn't fly today."
The Critique of the Padded Bodysuit
The use of a padded bodysuit is now widely viewed as a form of "body-shaming" or "fat-phobia" in comedy. Critics argue that it turns a person's size into a costume and a punchline, reinforcing harmful stereotypes. The comedy surrounding Big Rhonda largely relied on her size and aggressive, unrefined personality, often making her the butt of jokes from characters like Michael Kelso and Jackie Burkhart.
- Reinforcing Stereotypes: The character was given stereotypical traits—a love for junk food ("county hotdog eating champion"), a lack of "feminine" grace, and a brash demeanor—all tied to her physical appearance.
- Casting Inauthenticity: Modern audiences and casting directors increasingly prioritize authenticity. Casting an actress who is not plus-sized and using a suit to achieve the look is seen as denying a plus-sized actress a significant role and contributing to the marginalization of those body types in media.
- The Fez Dynamic: While the relationship with Fez was a refreshing subversion of the dominant male trope, the underlying humor often stemmed from Fez’s initial fear and the gang's shock that he was dating someone like Rhonda.
Despite the modern critique, it is important to place the character in the context of early 2000s television, when such comedic devices were more common and less scrutinized. Shows like Friends and Shallow Hal also utilized similar suits, which are now almost universally condemned in contemporary media. Big Rhonda serves as a clear marker of how far sitcoms have come in terms of representation and sensitivity.
The Legacy: How Big Rhonda Influenced That '70s Show's World
While only appearing in six episodes, Rhonda Tate was a crucial entity in expanding the world of That '70s Show beyond the core group of Eric, Donna, Kelso, Jackie, Hyde, and Fez. Her arrival and subsequent relationship with Fez were a major part of Season 4's narrative, a season that also dealt with Eric and Donna's relationship struggles and the continued antics of Red and Kitty Forman.
Rhonda's character, despite her flaws, did challenge the status quo. She was unapologetically herself, a confident figure who did not conform to the beauty standards of the time, or the show. Her memorable scenes, such as her interactions with Jackie and her surprisingly tender moments with Fez, proved that Cynthia LaMontagne was a talented comedic actress who made the most of a controversially written role.
Today, Big Rhonda is a topic of conversation on fan forums and retrospective podcasts, not just for the laughs she provided, but as a lens through which to view the comedic sensibilities of the era. Her story is a perfect example of a character that is culturally significant, yet whose method of portrayal is a relic of a past that Hollywood is actively trying to move beyond.
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