Not, perhaps, a name that jumps out at the average Jo in the street, with no huge movie deals, celebrity marriages or DUI charges, but Karen McDougal is a firm favourite among the throngs of guys who are avid followers of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy magazine and DVD’s and videos

Karen, one of five children, from an early age Karen had a passion for ballet, tap dancing, and had an eye for all things feminine.

Standing 5 ft 8 inches tall, with her beautiful cascading hair and glamorous looks, Karen earned her self the name Barbie while attending high school at River Valley High School, in Michigan.

Karen’s overall beauty and sporty attitude lead her to the school’s cheerleader team but her talents didn’t stop with the physical, she was also musical and played the clarinet, which she still plays in her spare time.

After leaving school, Karen didn’t instantly break into the world of modeling and found herself working as a pre-kindergarten teacher in a Detroit suburb.

During her teaching days a friend of Karen’s convinced her to join a swimsuit contest, the Venus Swimwear International Model Search. Karen was selected as the newest Venus swimsuit model, which led to a whole world of opportunity for her in the world of fashion and modeling.

That was where Karen made friends with a Playboy photographer who suggested she make a test shoot for Hugh Hefner’s Playboy magazine.

With a little bit of luck on her side and her general beauty, Karen was soon a favourite with Playboy and was named Playboy’s Miss December in 1997, and 1998 Playmate of the Year and as 1998’s Playboy Queen.

Karen has also appeared in Playboy Video Centerfold: Playmate of the Year and Playboy Video Playmate Calendar and making the requisite appearances, before handing over the crown to 1999 Playmate of the Year, Heather Kozar.

Karen has also signed a developmental contract with the WWF in 2000, and also appeared in the blockbuster Charlie’s Angels in the role of a party girl as well as 2001’s The Arena.