Kimberly McArthur is an American model and actress, born September 16, 1962, in Fort Worth, Texas. She is best known as Playboy magazine’s Playmate of the Month for the January 1982 issue and for taking over the role of Kelly Capwell on the NBC daytime soap Santa Barbara in 1988. Her career spans modeling, television guest roles and a handful of 1980s film credits.
TL;DR
- Kimberly McArthur, American model and actress, known for her 1982 Playboy Playmate feature.
- Replaced Robin Wright as Kelly Capwell on Santa Barbara in 1988.
- Active since the early 1980s; left the public eye after her Santa Barbara run ended in 1989.
- Film credits include Easy Money, Malibu Express and Slumber Party Massacre II.
- Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas.
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kimberly Ann McArthur |
| Known As | Kimberly McArthur |
| Date of Birth | September 16, 1962 |
| Age | 63 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Studied dance, song and dramatic art at a university in Fort Worth, Texas |
| Profession | Model, Actress |
| Active Since | 1982 |
Who is Kimberly McArthur?
Kimberly McArthur is an American model and actress who rose to public attention as Playboy’s January 1982 Playmate of the Month before moving into television acting. Her centerfold was photographed by Arny Freytag, and she went on to appear in additional Playboy videos and special publications through the early and mid-1980s.
McArthur later transitioned into acting, landing guest roles on established network shows and a leading role on a major daytime soap. She largely withdrew from public life after her television run ended in the late 1980s.
Early Life and Background
Childhood and Family
McArthur was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 16, 1962, the youngest of three children. She was raised primarily by her mother after her parents divorced. She has described being close to her parents and her elder sister; her elder brother died in a car accident.
Education
She studied dance, song and dramatic art at a university in Fort Worth before pursuing performance professionally. That training fed directly into her early stage work and later television career.
Career Journey
Before Fame
Before her Playboy feature, McArthur tried out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders but did not make the final squad. She instead performed in the musical revue “The Rock’n’Roll Girls,” which proved successful enough to be staged in Monte Carlo.
How Kimberly McArthur Got Started
McArthur moved to Los Angeles and was selected as Playboy’s Playmate of the Month for January 1982. The issue also featured an interview with George Carlin and fiction by Stephen King, placing her centerfold within one of the magazine’s higher-profile issues of the year.
Breakthrough Moment
Her Playboy exposure led to television commercial work for Kleenex, Merrill Lynch and AT&T, and a role in Mel Tillis’s music video “A Cowboy’s Dream.” These appearances built the visibility that led to her film and television casting through the early 1980s.
Career Today
McArthur has not maintained a public acting career since leaving Santa Barbara in 1989. She has not returned to film, television or modeling work in any documented capacity since that period.
Milestone: Replacing Robin Wright on Santa Barbara
In June 1988, McArthur became the first of three actresses to succeed Robin Wright as Kelly Capwell on Santa Barbara. More than 200 candidates auditioned for the role. McArthur played the part for roughly eight months before her contract was not renewed, and Carrington Garland took over the role in 1989.
Screen and Television Credits
McArthur’s film and television work includes Young Doctors in Love, Easy Money, Malibu Express and Slumber Party Massacre II, along with guest appearances on Magnum P.I. and Highway to Heaven. In Easy Money she played Rodney Dangerfield’s neighbor, and in Slumber Party Massacre II she appeared in a supporting role. She was also part of one of Playboy’s early home video releases, The Girls of Rock and Roll.
Interesting Facts About Kimberly McArthur
- She auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders before her Playboy feature but did not make the final cut.
- Her Playboy centerfold was photographed by Arny Freytag, who shot multiple Playmates of the Month in the early 1980s.
- She was the first of three actresses to play Kelly Capwell following Robin Wright’s departure from Santa Barbara.
- She appeared in a Mel Tillis music video, “A Cowboy’s Dream,” during the early stage of her career.
- Her Santa Barbara run lasted roughly eight months before the role was recast.
Read About
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McArthur’s full career history and profile appear alongside other 1980s television and entertainment figures on Leakshaven.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Kimberly McArthur?
Kimberly McArthur was born on September 16, 1962, in Fort Worth, Texas, making her 63 years old as of 2026.
What is Kimberly McArthur known for?
She is known for being Playboy magazine’s Playmate of the Month for January 1982 and for playing Kelly Capwell on the NBC soap opera Santa Barbara in 1988 and 1989.
Where is Kimberly McArthur from?
She was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas.
What happened to Kimberly McArthur?
After leaving Santa Barbara in 1989, McArthur largely stepped away from the public eye and has not maintained an active acting career since.
What movies and shows was Kimberly McArthur in?
Her credits include Young Doctors in Love, Easy Money, Malibu Express, Slumber Party Massacre II, Magnum P.I., Highway to Heaven and Santa Barbara.
