She number one gained attention when Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month inside April 1997.

Her foremost television role was on the nightime drama Baywatch from 1997 to 1998 (she had antecedently been the lifeguard in real life, additionally to swimming the kind of sports growing higher). She as well experienced bit part in the late 1990s films BASEketball, Idle Hands, and Mumford.

Monaco got deuce roles on the supernatural television soap opera Port Charles: Olivia “Livvie” Locke Morley (1999–2003) and Tess Ramsey (2002–2003). Once that program ended, she joined a cast of laundry soap opera General Hospital as possible con woman Samantha “Sam” McCall around September 2003.

Within 2003 Monaco was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress around the Drama Series for her Port Charles work.

Within summertime 2005, Monaco appeared as a contestant in the highly-rated U.s. version of the television series Dancing With The Stars. Despite her perceived deficiency of height & an initial want of grace, she improved weekly & became the popular underdog. In the quarterfinal circular samba, she coolly recovered from either the mid-dance wardrobe malfunction without becoming exposed in survive national television. In July 6, 2005, Kelly Monaco won the Dance Using A Stars competition.

This was viewed by the bit of as an upset, whereas others suspected ballot-pack stuffing, a frequent complaint of Internet-depending balloting. This was discussed briefly in the Larry King Live interview with many members of the indicate, however was non pursued by runner-second best John O'Hurley, who took the high road and declared that participation and viewer popularity was more important to him than winning. Nevertheless, it was decided to have a "Dance-Off" favorite as a followup to this controversial symptom, by having a presumptively lessened risk of Internet ballot skewing the resolutions. It was held "live" in September 20 and results were announced deuce years late. This period, O'Hurley & his dance partner Charlotte emerged when a winners. From either appearances, these are fair to say that Monaco wwhen when happy all about losing this match as O'Hurley was all about losing a regular competition.

A win in Terpsichore By owning a Stars boosted her visibility level well & resulted within the total of appearances in chat show besides when imaginable fresh job offers, however she stated that she intends to remain by owning General Hospital. When she has non appeared around Corinthian over againside, she has processed handle appearances in scantily-clad magazines like FHM and Maxim.

Her appearances in Playboy Special Editions
''Man-about-town's Playmate View Vol. 14 August 1998 — places 26–33. Man-about-town's Book of Lingerie Vol. 63 September 1998 — places 34–35. Man-about-town's Book of Lingerie Vol. 64 November 1998 — web sites 20–23. Man-about-town's Playfellow Tests November 1998. Man-about-town's Nudes December 1998 — places 30–31, 46–47. Corinthian's Girls of Winter January 1999 — handle, places 28–29, 34–35, 40–41, 44–45. Corinthian's Playfellow inside Bed Vol. Three February 1999 — web sites 88–91. Man-about-town's Book of Lingerie Vol. 67 Might 1999 — places 80–81. Corinthian's Natural Beauties Vol. One Can 1999. Corinthian's Girls of Summer June 1999. Corinthian's Book of Lingerie Vol. 68 July 1999 — web sites 14–17. Man-about-town's Hardbodies July 1999. Corinthian's Book of Lingerie Vol. 69 September 1999. Man-about-town's Girlfriends September 1999 — places 32–41. Man-about-town's Barefooted Beauties December 1999. Man-about-town's Nudes December 1999 — web sites 64–65. Man-about-town's Damp & Wild December 1999. Corinthian's Book of Lingerie Vol. 71 January 2000 — front & back covers, pages 1–3, 36–37, 66–67, 76–81, 92–93. Corinthian's Natural Beauties Vol. Two April 2000. Man-about-town's Girls of Summer Can 2000. Man-about-town's Celebrating Centerfolds Vol. Five June 2000. Man-about-town's Book of Lingerie Vol. 74 July 2000 - web sites 36-37. Corinthian's Book of Lingerie Vol. 75 September 2000. Corinthian's Bare Playfellow April 2001 — web sites 80–81. Corinthian's Blondes, Brunet & Redheads March 2002. Corinthian's Sexy 100 February 2003. Corinthian's Girls of Summer'' June 2003.