| Chicago-born California-raised Welch has had a long and interesting career. While in her teens she won many beauty contests. Among her many titles were "Miss Photogenic," "Miss Contour" and "Miss Maid of California." The natural career progression for any model is to enter acting. Welch's acting career began when she was 24 with an uncredited bit part in the 1964 Elvis Presley movie "Roustabout." A steady stream of roles began pouring in and with each movie she garnered more acclaim. Movie highlights include: "Fantastic Voyage" and "One Million Years B.C." (1966), "100 Rifles" (1968), "Myra Breckenridge" (1970-in which the feuds with co-star Mae West are legendary), "Fuzz" and "Kansas City Bomber" (1972), "The Three (and Four) Musketeers" (1973-1974), "Mother, Jugs & Speed" (1976), "Muppets Go To Hollywood" (1979) and "Legally Blonde" (2001). Like an good "entertainer" Welch has often sang on TV specials and variety shows but never pursued a singing career. And wisely during disco's heyday she did not jump on the bandwagon a release a disco record. Instead she waited until well into the 1980's to record a "disco/dance record." In 1987 she released the 12" single of "This Girl's Back In Town." The song was written by Paul Jabara and Bob Esty and first appeared on Jabara's "Ocho Rio" album. Welch's version, produced by Esty and Michael Zager, was a torrid uptempo smash. The accompanying video helped bring Welch to a whole new generation of fans, most of whom only knew her from her "Crystal Light" T.V commercials. Oddly enough given it's success Welch never issued a follow-up single. Instead she went back to her acting career and can be seen in the upcoming Burt Reynolds comedy "Forget About It" looking more stunning than ever. |
