Kelli McCarty is a familiar face in both daytime and prime-time television. The former Miss USA-turned-soap star most recently appeared on NBC's Passions as the sexy-psycho-Orangutan-employing-schemer, Beth Wallace. McCarty began the series in 1999 and appeared in more than 500 episodes.

"Beth is a whatever-it-takes and at-any-cost kind of a gal," says the Kansas native of her daytime television character.

Some of McCarty's additional television credits include Beyond the Break, Summerland, Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, Dream On, Diagnosis Murder, Silk Stockings, Pacific Blue, Travel-A-Round [as host], yourLA [as guest host] and Street Smarts [as guest co-host]. Dogs and Appetizers, Recoil, The Last Bachelor, Beach House, Polycarp and the documentary Rhinoskin are among her feature film credits.

McCarty has been interviewed by Larry King and has graced the covers of Woman's World, Golf for Women, Bridal Star Hairstyles, Diet and Exercise and Soap Opera Weekly. Additionally, she was named One of the Hottest Actresses on Television by Soap Opera Update.

In 1990, McCarty won the title of Miss Kansas. She was crowned Miss USA in '91 and named a Miss Universe finalist that same year. This small town girl, with big city dreams, has been steadily working as an actress in the entertainment industry ever since her pageant days. Growing-up with three siblings, a swim instructor/pilot for a mom and a trucking company president as her dad, McCarty's work ethic was established early in her childhood. A self-proclaimed tom-boy, she spent her summers - as a teen - life guarding, teaching swimming and installing pools.

Freshman through senior year, McCarty played on her high school's all boys golf team. This was a first for the school but business as usual for this young girl who actually started her golf game at the age of seven. After graduation, she went on to study Theater Arts and Communications at Wichita State University. She has also studied Improv at The Groundlings in Los Angeles.

McCarty is still passionate for golf, but she also enjoys designing clothes, practicing yoga, writing cook books, renovating her Southern California home and almost anything animal related. She has four adopted dogs of her own, and is actively involved with numerous animal rescue organizations.