Kelly Monaco
Kelly Marie Monaco (born May 23, 1976[1]) is an American actress, model, and reality television personality, best known for her portrayal of Sam McCall on the ABC soap opera General Hospital and as the first season winner of the reality TV competition series Dancing with the Stars. Monaco was also Playboy "Playmate of the Month" for April 1997, and portrayed Livvie Locke on the soap opera Port Charles from 2000 through 2003.
Kelly Monaco | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kelly Marie Monaco May 23, 1976 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, model |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Partner | Mike Gonzalez (1991–2009) |
| Awards | See below |
| Playboy centerfold appearance | |
| April 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Jennifer Miriam |
| Succeeded by | Lynn Thomas |
| Personal details | |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)[1] |
| Signature | |
Early life and education
Kelly Monaco was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania[2] to Albert "Al" and Carmina Monaco. She is the middle child[3] and has four sisters: Christine, Marissa, Carmina and Amber.[4] The family moved to the Poconos, where she attended Pocono Mountain High School and took her first acting classes.[5] After high school she worked as a lifeguard at a local resort[5] and attended Northampton Community College for two years.[3]
Career
Early modeling
In 1996, Monaco, who had been thinking of a career in modeling, sent her photo to Playboy.[6] As a result, she became the Playmate of the Month for April 1997.[3][7] Throughout her tenure with Playboy in the 1990s,[3] Monaco was also featured in many Playboy Special Edition publications.[8]
Acting and reality television
Monaco's first television role was in the drama Baywatch[7] from 1997 to 1998.[3] In addition to playing the role of Susan on the show, Monaco was also Carmen Electra's body double at times,[3] as Electra could not swim.[9] Monaco also had minor roles in the late 1990s films BASEketball, Idle Hands, and Mumford.
Monaco had two roles in the ABC soap opera Port Charles: Olivia "Livvie" Locke Morley (1999–2003) and Tess Ramsey (2002–03). When that program ended, she joined the cast of the ABC soap opera General Hospital as Samantha McCall[10] in October 2003.
In 2003, Monaco was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role on Port Charles. In 2006, Monaco was again nominated for a Daytime Emmy, this time for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Sam McCall on General Hospital.[3] In 2006, Monaco also co-hosted the 33rd Annual Daytime Emmys,[7] with Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron.
In March 2009, Monaco was chosen by Donald Trump and Paula Shugart to be one of the judges for the 2009 Miss USA pageant.[7]
Monaco starred on the E! reality television series Dirty Soap, which premiered on September 25, 2011.[11]
Monaco was a cast member, and the season winner along with her professional partner, Alec Mazo, on the ABC reality television series Dancing with the Stars, during its first season in 2005. Although she initially faced tough criticism from the judges, she maintained a positive outlook throughout the series.[12] Among the events she experienced before her victory was a wardrobe malfunction in which the skimpy strap on her dress came apart during a Latin dance number.[13][14]
Monaco appeared in a Maxim cover feature in 2005,[15] and the magazine also placed her at #13 on their annual Hot 100 List in 2006.[16]
In February 2009, Monaco expanded her dancing résumé with Peepshow, a burlesque act directed by Tony Award-winning director Jerry Mitchell, that plays at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Monaco starred as Bo Peep, a precocious character who discovers her sexuality throughout the show.[17] Monaco starred alongside singer and fellow Dancing with the Stars contestant Melanie Brown,[18] until June 2009, when Monaco's contract expired and she was replaced by Holly Madison.[19] The same year, Monaco was named Maxim's number one sexiest cover model of the decade.[20]
On July 27, 2012, it was announced that Monaco would be participating in the 15th season of Dancing with the Stars for a chance to win a second mirrorball trophy.[21] This time she was partnered with Valentin Chmerkovskiy. After making the finals for a second time, Monaco finished in third place on November 27, 2012.
In November 2017, Monaco returned to 25th season of Dancing with the Stars in week eight,[22] to participate in a trio rumba with Terrell Owens and his professional partner Cheryl Burke.[23]
Charity work
In July 2009, Monaco and several other daytime celebrities traveled to Kenya, Africa, as a part of the Feed the Children program, delivering food and other supplies and visiting schools and orphanages built by Feed the Children.[7][24]
On October 24, 2009, as part of the iParticipate campaign, Monaco and several of her General Hospital co-stars volunteered to help beautify a school in Los Angeles.[25]
Personal life
When Monaco was a junior in high school, she met Mike Gonzalez, and began a relationship with him.[6] They worked together as lifeguards at a local resort and attended community college together.[26] They remained together for 18 years.[6][27] They broke up in 2009,[27] but as seen in the premiere episode of the reality television series Dirty Soap in 2011, she was still mourning the loss of this relationship. Monaco's General Hospital costar Kirsten Storms counseled her through her feelings on that episode by convincing her to burn her prom dress.[28]
On April 25, 2009, Monaco's apartment at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino was ransacked by burglars.[29]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | BASEketball | Sharon | [2] |
| 1998 | Welcome to Hollywood | Baywatch Woman Guard | |
| 1999 | Idle Hands | Tiffany | [3] |
| 1999 | Mumford | Landlady's Daughter | [3] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–1998 | Baywatch | Model flying Kite / Model at Photoshoot / Rookie Lifeguard Susan | Episodes: "The Choice", "Quarantine", "Diabolique" |
| 1999 | Late Last Night | Centerfold Elaina | Television movie |
| 2000–2003 | Port Charles | Livvie Locke / Tess Ramsey | Main role; July 7, 2000 – October 3, 2003 Role: October 1, 2002 – March 25, 2003 |
| 2001 | Spin City | Nurse | Episode: "A Shot In The Dark: Part 1" |
| 2003–present | General Hospital | Sam McCall / Alicia Montenegro | Series regular; October 1, 2003 – present Role: July – August 2005 |
| 2005, 2012 | Dancing with the Stars | Herself | Contestant: Season 1 & 15 |
| 2011 | Dirty Soap | Herself | Main cast |
| 2011 | The Edge of the Garden | Julie | Television movie[30] |
| 2015 | Baby Daddy | Kelly Monaco | Episode: "Over My Dead Bonnie" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Port Charles | Nominated | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | Soap Hub Awards | Favorite General Hospital Actress | General Hospital | Nominated | |
| 2021 | Soap Hub Awards | Favorite General Hospital Actress | General Hospital | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b "Playmate Data Sheet". Playboy. April 1997.
- ^ a b . Maxim. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i . A+E Television Networks. www.biography.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ Dirty Soap - "As the Ex Returns" (October 23, 2011) episode.
- ^ a b . Playboy. playboy.com. 1997-04-01. Archived from the original on November 15, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ a b c Burton, Alex (November 12, 2012). Star. pp. 48-49.
- ^ a b c d e "Kelly Monaco: Biography". TV Guide. tvguide.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ DOSTIS, MELANIE. "Where are they now: '90s Playboy playmates - NY Daily News". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
- ^ Kelly Monaco, John Salley (2011-11-17). (Internet). Game On! with John Salley: www.reelz.com. Archived from the original on 2015-06-10.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2003-08-27). "Monaco stays in PC and joins GH cast". SoapCentral. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "First Look at DIRTY SOAP". SoapOperaDiegst.com. 2011-08-27. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
- ^ Coleridge, Daniel R. (2005-06-13). . TV Guide. tvguide.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2012.
- ^ "2005's Top 10 Style Moments: 7. Kelly's Wardrobe Malfunction". People. people.com. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
- ^ Dahl, Oscar (2007-01-02). "Dancing with the Stars and Wardrobe Malfunctions: A Conspiracy Theory". Buddy TV. buddytv.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ . Maxim. maxim.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- ^ . Maxim. maxim.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- ^ Playmate News. Playboy magazine. March 2009. Page 114.
- ^ Gray, Mark (2008-11-18). "Mel B & Kelly Monaco to Star in Topless Vegas Show". People. people.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ Gray, Mark (2009-05-14). "Holly Madison to Replace Kelly Monaco in Sexy Vegas Show". People. people.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "Maxim's 12 Sexiest Covers of the Decade". Maxim. maxim.com. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- ^ Shira, Dahvi (2012-07-27). . People. people.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ Montgomery, Daniel (2 November 2017). "'Dancing with the Stars' trio dances will invite back Kelly Monaco, Alfonso Ribeiro, Laurie Hernandez, Corbin Bleu". goldderby.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ Brozyna, Emily (2 November 2017). "'Dancing with the Stars' trio dances will invite back Kelly Monaco, Alfonso Ribeiro, Laurie Hernandez, Corbin Bleu". J-14.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ Fairman, Michael (2009-06-29). . Michael Fairman On Soaps. michaelfairmansoaps.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ . Soap Net. soapnet.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
- ^ "Kelly Monaco Negates Dating Rumors; True about Not Having A Boyfriend?". LIVERAMPUP. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
- ^ a b "Kelly Monaco Was Devastated After Break-Up". starpulse.com. 2010-07-21. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ Logan, Michael. "Getting Down and Dirty". TV Guide. October 3, 2011. page 47
- ^ Jovie Baclayon (2009-04-27). . E!. eonline.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ Edge of the Garden 2011-02-24 at the Wayback Machine Hallmark Channel. accessed September 25, 2011.
- ^ . USA Today. Tysons Corner, Virginia: Gannett Company. Associated Press. March 12, 2003. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ . New York, New York: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. February 8, 2006. Archived from the original on May 19, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
- ^ Montgomery, Daniel (September 2, 2020). "1st Annual Soap Hub Awards decided by fans honored 'Days of Our Lives,' Steve Burton, Sharon Case and more". Gold Derby. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Montgomery, Daniel (September 2, 2020). "1st Annual Soap Hub Awards decided by fans honored 'Days of Our Lives,' Steve Burton, Sharon Case and more". Gold Derby. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved September 3, 2020.