Elizabeth Gracen


Actor

About

Also Known As
Elizabeth Ward, Elizabeth Ward Gracen
Birth Place
Booneville, Arkansas, USA
Born
April 03, 1961

Biography

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 t...

Family & Companions

William Jefferson Clinton
Companion
Politician. Gracen had originally denied having a relationship in 1992 but later recanted and admitted to a one-night stand in 1983.
Brandon Hughes
Husband
Married in 1989; divorced.
Pat Austin
Companion
Businessman. No longer together; reportedly racked up debts in Gracen's name; jailed in Paris for fraud and embezzlement.

Biography

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.

Life Events

1981

Named Miss Arkansas

1982

Crowned Miss America

1987

Film acting debut opposite Charlie Sheen in "Three for the Road", credited as Elizabeth Ward

1989

Changed billing to Elizabeth Gracen for "Sundown"

1989

TV acting debut as a prostitute in the Showtime TV-movie "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"

1992

Called a press conference to deny she ever had a sexual relationship with Bill Clinton

1992

Had recurring role of Amanda on the syndicated "Highlander: The Series"

1992

Posed for a nude layout in PLAYBOY

1995

Was a regular on the short-lived ABC adventure series "Extreme"

1998

Admitted in interviews that she had one night stand with then-State Attorney General Bill Clinton in 1982

Family

James Ward
Father
Factory worker. Made bowling balls.
Patricia Hampe
Mother
Nurse.
Van Ward
Brother
Born c. 1963.
Margaret Ward
Sister
Born c. 1969.

Companions

William Jefferson Clinton
Companion
Politician. Gracen had originally denied having a relationship in 1992 but later recanted and admitted to a one-night stand in 1983.
Brandon Hughes
Husband
Married in 1989; divorced.
Pat Austin
Companion
Businessman. No longer together; reportedly racked up debts in Gracen's name; jailed in Paris for fraud and embezzlement.

Bibliography