Where are they now: JUDITH McCONNELL

- Sophia Armonti on SANTA BARBARA (1984-93) -

Judith McConnell was a former Miss Pennsylvania 1965, and competed in the 1966 Miss America pageant. She started her acting career in a 1967 episode of Judd, for the Defense. In the same year she starred in an episode of the TV series Star Trek. In 1968 she was Princess Marta on the cult series Get Smart. She later played short-term recurring roles on The Beverly Hillbillies in 1969 and Green Acres in 1970 and 1971. Her soap career includes several roles: Augusta McLeod on General Hospital (1973-75), Valerie Conway on As the world turns (1976-79), Miranda Bishop on Another World (1980-81), Eva Vasquez on One life to live (1983) and finally Sophia Wayne Capwell Armonti on Santa Barbara (1984-93). However, the role was originated by Rosemary Forsyth who remained on the show for a few weeks. At the time almost no one noticed the recast because Sophia was introduced disguised as a man, Dominic. So big dark sunglasses, a thick beard and mustache made ​​the recast less traumatic. The only striking difference: the height.

In fact, McConnell was much lower than Forsyth. “It was as grueling as it was fun” said the actress as she pointed out the physical discomforts her costume involved. “It took me two hours to get into makeup, and I would spend 10 to 12 hours a days, three to four days a week, on the set as Dominic”. The wig gave her migraine headaches and the beard was painful to remove. The bodysuit that gave her muscles was too warm and made her hitch. “I had to learn to walk differently and speak in a lower, gravely voice” said McConnell, who only had a day and a half's notice to prepare to the role.  “I just couldn't be the opposite of a woman as a man”, she said. “I had to learn to walk like a man (with my hips straight) and to run and stand like a guy. It took me a number of weeks to get it down”.

After the SB’s end, McConnell has guest-starred on numerous television series throughout the years and some films: Baywatch Nights (1995), Melrose Place (1998), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1999), JAG (2004), the NBC soap Passions (2007) and The Weather Man (2005) as Lauren, Nicolas Cage’s mother. In addition to the series listed above, McConnell recently appeared in a commercial for IKEA and for Christmas cards. Today Judith McConnell is 68 years old, she is not married and has a very beautiful daughter, Gwendolyn.