Elizabeth Gracen

This willowy, exotic-looking brunette first came to national attention in 1982 when, representing her native Arkansas (and then known as Elizabeth Ward), was crowned Miss America. After her reign, she married her high school sweetheart and concentrated on developing as an actress, studying at the HB Studio in NYC. Still billed as Elizabeth Ward, she made her feature debut in "Three for the Road" (1987) co-starring Charlie Sheen. Gracen continued on her career landing middling roles until the 1992 US Presidential campaign focused attention on an alleged incident in 1983 involving the then Attorney General of Arkansas Bill Clinton. She called a press conference to issue a denial, although the timing was questionable: within weeks she was featured in a nude pictorial in PLAYBOY. Whatever the case, work began flowing regularly her way. Gracen was cast as a gangster's daughter who enters a convent in the syndicated miniseries "Sidney Sheldon's 'The Sands of Time'" (1992) and she landed the recurring role of Amanda, a love interest for Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) in "Highlander: The Series." She made occasional guest appearances on "Murder, She Wrote" and had featured roles in films like "Lisa" (1990) and "Final Mission" (1994). Gracen was once again in the spotlight when a subpoena was issued for her by independent prosecutor Kenneth Starr who was investigating President Bill Clinton's affairs. As her work kept her out of the USA, she managed to avoid having to testify and she also issued a statement admitting to a consensual one-night affair with Clinton in 1983. Gracen reportedly had a second PLAYBOY layout planned and headlined the syndicated spin-off "Highlander: The Raven" (1998-99), revolving around her character of Amanda.