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Kelly Monaco

Kelly Marie Monaco (born May 23, 1976) is an American actress, model, and personality best known for originating and portraying the role of Samantha "Sam" McCall on the soap opera from 2003 to 2024. She rose to widespread fame as the winner of season 1 of the Dancing with the Stars in 2005, partnering with professional dancer Mazo. Born in , , to an Italian-American family, Monaco is the third of five children and grew up in the Poconos region of . A highly athletic individual from a young age, she excelled in multiple sports including soccer, , track, and softball during her youth on the East Coast. After graduating high school, Monaco worked as a in Berlin, , before transitioning into modeling and acting. In April 1997, she was named Playboy's Playmate of the Month, marking a significant early milestone in her career as a model. Monaco's television career began with small roles, including appearances on and , before she landed a recurring role as Livvie Locke on the ABC Port Charles from 2000 to 2003. For her performance on Port Charles, she received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2003. Transitioning directly to , she originated the complex character of , a role that spanned over two decades and earned her another Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006. Monaco's departure from occurred in October 2024, following 21 years on the show, as part of broader production budget adjustments that led to the writing off of her character. Following her departure, Monaco launched the podcast Bad Bunnies with in March 2025 and made a guest appearance on the 20th anniversary special in November 2025.

Early life

Family and childhood

Kelly Monaco was born Kelly Marie Monaco on May 23, 1976, in , , to an Italian-American family. She is the middle child of five daughters, with her parents Albert "Al" Monaco and Carmina Monaco raising her alongside sisters Christine, Marissa, Carmina, and Amber. Monaco's family relocated from Philadelphia to the Poconos region of Pennsylvania before she entered her teenage years, where she spent much of her formative years on the East Coast. From a young age, she displayed an athletic disposition, engaging in various sports that shaped her active childhood.

Education and early activities

Kelly Monaco attended Pocono Mountain High School in Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, after her family relocated from Philadelphia to the Pocono Mountains region during her early teenage years. She graduated from the school in 1994, having been actively involved in extracurricular activities that highlighted her athletic abilities and emerging creative interests. During high school, Monaco excelled in several sports, including soccer, , , and , which her family supported as part of fostering her energetic and competitive nature. These pursuits not only built her physical discipline but also instilled a sense of and that would later influence her professional endeavors. Monaco also developed an early interest in the , participating in , and theater programs at Pocono Mountain High School. She took her first acting classes during this period, which sparked her curiosity about performance as a career path beyond athletics. After graduation, Monaco attended in , for two years, majoring in mass communications, while working as a at a local resort. She then relocated to in the late in pursuit of broader opportunities in entertainment and modeling.

Career

Modeling career

After graduating from high school, Kelly Monaco worked as a at a local resort in the Poconos region of , before relocating to in the mid-1990s to pursue opportunities in modeling. Her athletic background from sports like soccer, , and contributed to her fit physique, which suited the demands of early modeling assignments. In 1996, Monaco submitted photographs to Playboy magazine, leading to her selection as Playmate of the Month for the April 1997 issue. The pictorial, photographed by Richard Fegley, featured her in various outdoor and studio settings that highlighted her natural athleticism and appeal, significantly boosting her visibility in the industry. This exposure marked a pivotal milestone, establishing her as a prominent figure in glamour modeling and opening doors to further professional engagements. Throughout the late 1990s, Monaco continued her modeling career with appearances in Special Editions and cover features for magazines such as and . She also participated in promotional modeling, including serving as a booth representative for at the 1998 Electronic Entertainment Expo. These gigs, primarily in print and event-based formats, solidified her presence in the modeling world before 2000. Monaco's comprehensive modeling portfolio, bolstered by her feature, facilitated her transition to acting opportunities by attracting attention from directors seeking versatile with a strong visual appeal.

Acting in soap operas

Kelly Monaco made her debut on the soap opera Port Charles in July 2000, portraying Olivia "Livvie" Locke, the previously unknown daughter of psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Collins. Livvie's storyline centered on her arrival in Port Charles searching for her estranged mother, Rachel Locke, amid family tensions, and quickly evolved into supernatural territory as she became the obsession of the vampire Caleb Morley, who saw her as a of his lost love, . This arc highlighted Livvie's rebellious and vulnerable personality, drawing her into dangerous romantic entanglements and conflicts involving to recover repressed childhood memories. In 2002, Monaco took on a as Tess Ramsey, Livvie's magically created "good" counterpart, after separated Livvie's personality into two entities to control her—Livvie embodying darker traits and Tess representing innocence and purity. Tess's arc focused on her sheltered life in a , initial confusion with Livvie by suitor Jack Ramsey, and eventual efforts to reunite the split personalities, culminating in dramatic confrontations with forces. Monaco portrayed both characters simultaneously during intense 12-hour workdays, memorizing extensive dialogue for the show's vampire-themed narrative. Her tenure on ended with the series cancellation in October 2003. Monaco transitioned seamlessly to the parent series General Hospital in October 2003, debuting as con artist Samantha "Sam" McCall, a street-smart drifter searching for her biological family while supporting her mentally disabled older brother, Danny McCall. Sam's introduction involved her arrest for petty crimes, leading to a pivotal encounter with mob enforcer Jason Morgan, who bails her out and sparks an immediate, passionate romance marked by mutual protectiveness and shared secrets. Their relationship, one of daytime television's enduring supercouples, weathered betrayals, presumed deaths, and separations, including a 2004 pregnancy storyline where Sam carried Sonny Corinthos's child via embryo mix-up (revealed to be Jason's), prompting Jason to pose as the father to shield Sonny's marriage. Over two decades, Sam's character evolved from a lone-wolf grifter—later revealed as the illegitimate daughter of attorney Alexis Davis—to a private investigator and devoted mother to son Danny Morgan (with Jason) and daughter Scout Cain (with Drew Cain). Key plot developments included her 2006 shooting and presumed death, a 2012 brain tumor diagnosis forcing her to relearn sign language for Jason, and ongoing tensions in her on-again-off-again dynamic with Jason amid his criminal world and her family loyalties. Monaco's portrayal earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006. Monaco faced professional challenges on , including a temporary recast in August 2020 when she was sidelined by a breathing issue, with actress stepping in briefly as ; Monaco returned after recovery, confirmed by her mother as non-COVID related. In 2024, Monaco exited the series permanently after 21 years, with written off via a sacrificial liver to save comatose in her final episode on November 1; the departure was reported as a network decision amid contract disputes, which Monaco described as retaliatory following her advocacy for better conditions. No recast followed her 2024 exit.

Reality television

Kelly Monaco first gained widespread recognition in reality television as a contestant on the inaugural season of Dancing with the Stars in 2005, partnering with professional dancer Alec Mazo. Despite receiving one of the lowest scores of the premiere week—a 13 out of 30 for their waltz—she steadily improved over the six-week competition, showcasing growth in routines like the rumba (17/30 in Week 2) and samba (21/30 in Week 4, despite a notable wardrobe malfunction during the performance). In the finale on July 6, 2005, Monaco and Mazo earned high marks for their freestyle to Jennifer Lopez's "Let's Get Loud" (26/30) and quickstep (27/30), ultimately winning the Mirrorball Trophy in a close contest against actor John O'Hurley and Charlotte Jørgensen, though the result sparked viewer controversy leading to a rematch special where O'Hurley prevailed. Monaco returned to Dancing with the Stars for its 15th season, an all-stars edition, in 2012, this time paired with Val Chmerkovskiy. Their journey began with a (21/30 in Week 1) but saw significant progress, including standout performances like a (28/30 in Week 8) and (24/30 in Week 5), highlighting her enhanced technique from prior experience. They reached the finals as one of the top three couples but were eliminated in the season finale on November 27, 2012, finishing third behind winner and runner-up Shawn . Beyond Dancing with the Stars, Monaco appeared in the E! reality series Dirty Soap in 2011, which offered an inside look at the lives of soap opera stars including herself, Kirsten Storms, and Nadia Bjorlin. She also made guest appearances on daytime talk shows, such as The View, discussing her career and personal insights. Her success on Dancing with the Stars significantly boosted Monaco's visibility, transforming her from a niche soap opera figure to a mainstream personality and attracting a broader fanbase that crossed over to her role on General Hospital. The win, initially met with industry skepticism about reality TV's impact on acting careers, ultimately enhanced her public persona and enduring appeal.

Recent projects and ventures

In 2024, Kelly Monaco exited her long-running role as on permanently following a storyline where the character donated her liver to save another and appeared to die, marking the end of her taping for the series after 21 years. As of November 2025, no return has been announced. In March 2025, Monaco announced the launch of her first major post- venture, a podcast titled BAD BUNNIES co-hosted with , focusing on unfiltered discussions about secrets, pop culture, personal life, and career experiences. The project, drawing from their shared history as Playmates, was set to debut on PodcastOne but was ultimately canceled in July 2025 without releasing any episodes, as revealed by Moakler, who cited scheduling conflicts with Monaco's commitments. In November 2025, Monaco made a guest appearance on the 20th anniversary special of , marking her first on-screen ABC return since leaving . Beyond her soap opera work, Monaco has maintained an active social media presence on platforms like and X (formerly ), where she engages fans with updates on her career and personal insights, including addressing a brief hiatus in early 2025. No additional guest acting roles or major endorsement deals have been reported for her from 2021 to November 2025 outside of -related appearances and the special. As of November 2025, no further projects have been officially announced.

Philanthropy

Involvement with Feed the Children

Kelly Monaco has been a supporter of , an international focused on providing food, medicine, clothing, and other essentials to children and families in need. Her involvement gained prominence through hands-on efforts in the late , leveraging her visibility as a actress to raise awareness for the organization's global initiatives. In July 2009, Monaco traveled to , , alongside fellow daytime television stars and as part of the "Daytime Gives Back" campaign in partnership with . During the trip, the group documented their experiences with personal cameras while assisting founders Larry and Frances Jones in delivering food, supplies, and other aid to communities in need. They visited local villages, schools, and an abandoned baby center constructed by the organization, directly supporting efforts to aid over 100,000 children living in Kenya's slums. The footage from this journey was featured in a special segment at the 36th on August 30, 2009, and contributed to a full-length documentary produced by Associated Television International, highlighting the challenges of and the impact of . Monaco's participation in the Kenya mission underscored her commitment to the charity's mission of fostering self-sufficiency through education, health, and . She has cited the organization's long-standing work since —delivering essentials to combat , , and —as a key reason for her support. Her celebrity status from roles on shows like amplified the visibility of these efforts, drawing broader attention to Feed the Children's programs in and beyond. Following the 2009 trip, Monaco has continued her endorsement of through public advocacy and participation in related awareness campaigns. As of 2013, she described it as one of the larger charities she backs, emphasizing its role in providing hope and resources to vulnerable populations worldwide. While specific metrics tied directly to her involvement are not detailed, the organization's broader impact includes distributing millions of meals and supplies annually, with celebrity partnerships like Monaco's helping to sustain these operations.

Other charitable efforts

In addition to her global philanthropy, Monaco has actively supported domestic children's charities through volunteering at youth programs and holiday drives since 2010. She has participated in events aimed at empowering young people, such as attending the 2013 Hotel Durex Charity Event benefiting dance4life, an organization focused on youth education and advocacy against . Her involvement reflects a broader dedication to community-based initiatives that provide resources and support to underprivileged in the United States. Monaco has also contributed to programs assisting the elderly, including community efforts to raise and offer direct support for senior needs. These activities align with her long-standing interest in elder care, as noted in her professional biography, emphasizing hands-on participation in local assistance initiatives. Within the industry, Monaco has engaged in charity events tied to major awards ceremonies, such as presenting the "Daytime Gives Back" segment at the 2010 alongside , highlighting various philanthropic causes supported by stars. In 2018, she co-hosted the "Killy Live" fan event in with Billy Miller, where proceeds benefited the NextGenFace charity, which supports emerging talent in the entertainment industry. Her international experiences have further inspired these local efforts, reinforcing her focus on impactful, community-oriented giving.

Personal life

Romantic relationships

Kelly Monaco's most significant romantic relationship was with her high school sweetheart, Mike Gonzalez, which lasted from 1991 to 2009. The couple met when Monaco was a junior in high school, and their partnership spanned 18 years, during which they traveled together, including a trip to in 2009. In a 2010 episode of , Monaco described the relationship as having become "toxic" toward the end, noting that she no longer recognized the person Gonzalez had become after many years together. The breakup left Monaco grieving, as she reflected in a 2011 interview. Following the end of her relationship with Gonzalez, Monaco has maintained privacy regarding her dating life. Rumors of a romantic involvement with her General Hospital co-star Billy Miller circulated among fans from around 2016 until his death in 2023, fueled by their on-screen chemistry as characters and Jake Doe/Drew Cain, but Monaco never confirmed any off-screen romance. She honored Miller publicly on the one-year anniversary of his passing in September 2024, sharing a personal post reflecting on their friendship and his impact. As of 2025, Monaco is single and has no confirmed long-term partners since 2009. She has never married and does not have children, consistently stating her focus on career and personal independence.

Health incidents and residences

In the late , Kelly Monaco relocated from the East Coast to to launch her career in modeling and . On April 25, 2009, Monaco's penthouse apartment at the Resort and Casino in was burglarized while she was home; she hid behind her bed to avoid the intruder. The perpetrator, Merrill Wetter, was later sentenced to 12 to 30 months in prison. She purchased a four-bedroom home in , in 2005, where she resided for nearly two decades. On May 13, 2022, a fire severely damaged Monaco's residence after a butt was improperly discarded on an adjacent vacant lot, igniting dry brush that spread to her property. Monaco escaped unharmed while asleep inside but lost most of her personal belongings, including irreplaceable items accumulated over years of work. The blaze required significant recovery efforts, with her mother, Carmina Monaco, assisting in the aftermath and noting Kelly's attachment to her home as a "real homebody." Following the incident, Monaco was temporarily displaced and stayed at an . In August 2020, during the early stages of the , Monaco suffered breathing difficulties while wearing a protective on the set of , prompting a precautionary two-week despite three negative tests. This health incident led to a brief leave from the show, during which actress temporarily portrayed Monaco's character, . Monaco returned to filming shortly thereafter without further reported complications from the episode.

Filmography

Film

Kelly Monaco's feature film career was limited to a handful of minor roles in the late , primarily in comedies and a , as she transitioned from modeling to . These appearances capitalized on her athletic background and on-screen presence but did not lead to starring opportunities, with her professional focus quickly shifting to . In 1998, Monaco made her film debut in the mockumentary , directed by , portraying a Woman Guard in a brief that nodded to her early television work on the series. The role served as a quick, uncredited background appearance amid the film's satirical take on aspiring actors in . That same year, she appeared in , the sports comedy written and starring and , as the pole-dancing cheerleader Sharon in an uncredited capacity. Monaco's character featured in energetic sequences during the film's fictional games, emphasizing physical performance over dialogue, and contributed to the movie's over-the-top humor as part of the ensemble of supporting players. While specific on-set anecdotes from Monaco are limited, her involvement highlighted her modeling-honed poise in athletic scenes, though the role remained peripheral to the main plot. Monaco's 1999 roles expanded slightly in scope but stayed minor. In the horror-comedy , directed by , she played Tiffany, a KISS-obsessed teenager and girlfriend of supporting character , who meets a gruesome end when the possessed hand snaps her neck during a make-out session in a car. This short-lived part amplified the film's teen slasher tropes and provided a quick, visceral moment in the narrative centered on a killer hand. Later in 1999, Monaco appeared as the Landlady's Daughter in Mumford, a dramedy directed by Lawrence Kasdan and starring Loren Dean as a fraudulent psychologist. Her role involved limited scenes interacting with the landlady character, adding a touch of youthful energy to the small-town ensemble without advancing the central storyline. Beyond these early credits, Monaco has not taken on notable lead or substantial supporting roles in feature films, prioritizing her extensive television work instead.

Television

Kelly Monaco began her television career with uncredited appearances in three episodes of during season 8 from 1997 to 1998, including as Rookie Lifeguard Susan in the episode "The Choice". She followed this with a guest appearance as a nurse in the 2001 episode "A Shot in the Dark: Part 1" of the sitcom , marking one of her early forays into comedic television. In 2011, Monaco starred as Julie in the TV movie The Edge of the Garden. Monaco's breakthrough in daytime television came with her role on the ABC soap opera Port Charles, a spin-off of General Hospital. She portrayed Olivia "Livvie" Locke Morley, a complex character involved in supernatural storylines, from 2000 to 2003, appearing in 305 episodes. During the show's later seasons, Monaco also played Tess Ramsey, Livvie's magically created doppelganger, from 2002 to 2003, showcasing her versatility in dual roles within the series' vampire-themed arcs. Her performance on Port Charles earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2003. In 2003, Monaco transitioned to the flagship series , debuting as Samantha "Sam" McCall on October 1 in the role of a street-smart con artist with a mysterious past. She portrayed Sam continuously until 2024, accumulating over 2,200 episodes and evolving the character through key storylines including romantic entanglements, family revelations, and high-stakes investigations across major seasons like the 2006 baby switch arc and the 2010s mob-related plots. Monaco's long tenure as Sam solidified her as a staple of the soap, with the character's exit airing in November 2024 following her final taping in September. Her work on garnered additional Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress. Beyond scripted roles, Monaco made cameo appearances, such as playing herself in a 2015 episode of the sitcom . She also co-hosted the 33rd Annual in 2006 alongside , bringing her expertise to the live broadcast from . In 2025, Monaco made an on-screen appearance in the 20th anniversary special.

Awards and nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards

Kelly Monaco earned her first Daytime Emmy nomination in 2003 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her dual roles as Livvie Locke and Tess Ramsey on the soap opera . The 30th Annual ceremony took place on May 16, 2003, at the in , with Monaco competing against notable co-nominees including (), Robin Christopher (), and (). Although she did not win—the award went to for —the recognition highlighted Monaco's early impact in during her three-and-a-half-year run on . In 2006, Monaco received her second Daytime Emmy nomination, this time in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category for her portrayal of Samantha "Sam" McCall on General Hospital. The 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards were held on April 28, 2006, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, where she was nominated alongside actresses such as Tamara Braun (Days of Our Lives), Michelle Stafford (The Young and the Restless), and Maura West (As the World Turns). Monaco did not take home the award, which was presented to Kim Zimmer for her role as Reva Shayne on Guiding Light, but the nod marked a transition in her career from supporting to leading roles following her move to General Hospital in 2003. Monaco has not received additional Daytime Emmy nominations since 2006, despite her ongoing central role as through major storylines spanning nearly two decades. In 2025, her performance in the character's dramatic exit storyline—culminating in Sam's tragic death—was highlighted by soap industry observers as deserving of recognition in the Lead Actress category, yet she was notably absent from the 52nd Annual Emmy nominations announced on July 10, 2025. The oversight sparked discussions among fans and critics about the Academy's oversight of veteran soap performers.

Other awards and honors

In addition to her Daytime Emmy recognition, Monaco received the fan-voted Mirrorball Trophy as the winner of the first season of in 2005, partnering with professional dancer Alec Mazo. This victory marked her as the inaugural champion of the reality competition series, highlighting her transition from acting to competitive dance. Monaco earned a nomination for the Online Film & Television Association (OFTA) Television Award in 2008, in the category of Best Actress in a Daytime Serial for her portrayal of Sam McCall on General Hospital. The OFTA honors celebrate achievements in television, with nominees selected based on member votes from the online film and TV community. In the 2020s, Monaco was nominated for a Soap Hub Award in 2021 as Favorite General Hospital Actress, reflecting fan appreciation for her long-running role on the soap. This fan-driven accolade underscores her enduring popularity among daytime drama audiences.

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