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Kelly Marie Monaco (born May 23, 1976 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, and raised in the Poconos) is an American model and actress.
She first gained attention as Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month in April 1997.
Her first television role was on the nightime drama Baywatch from 1997 to 1998 (she had previously been a lifeguard in real life, in addition to playing a variety of sports growing up). She also had minor roles in the late 1990s films BASEketball, Idle Hands, and Mumford.
Monaco had two roles on the supernatural television soap opera Port Charles: Olivia “Livvie” Locke Morley (1999–2003) and Tess Ramsey (2002–2003). When that program ended, she joined the cast of soap opera General Hospital as possible con woman Samantha “Sam” McCall in September 2003.
In 2003 Monaco was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her Port Charles work.
In summer 2005, Monaco appeared as a contestant in the highly-rated American version of the television series Dancing With The Stars. Despite her perceived lack of height and an initial lack of grace, she improved each week and became a popular underdog. In the quarterfinal round samba, she coolly recovered from a mid-dance wardrobe malfunction without becoming exposed on live national television. On July 6, 2005, Kelly Monaco won the Dancing With The Stars competition.
This was viewed by some as an upset, whereas others suspected ballot-box stuffing, a frequent complaint of Internet-based voting. This was discussed briefly on a Larry King Live interview with several members of the show, but was not pursued by runner-up John O'Hurley, who argued that participation and viewer popularity was more important to him than winning.
The win on Dancing With the Stars boosted her visibility level considerably and resulted in a number of appearances on talk shows as well as possible new job offers, but she stated that she intends to remain with General Hospital.
Kelly Monaco
PROFILE
Birthplace Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Birthdate May 23, 1976
Measurements 34" D - 21 ½" - 31 ½"
Height 5' 3"
Weight 95 lbs
Preceded by Jennifer Miriam
Succeeded by Lynn Thomas
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