Education and Career
Shelton was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. She graduated from Norview High School and attended Old Dominion University. She was a junior studying art at the time she won the Miss USA title.
Prior to winning her first pageant title, Shelton was enrolled in a pre-medical. After college she moved to New York City where she studied acting, modeled, and appeared on television commercials.
In March 1974, she appeared on the cover of Playboy Magazine. She later starred in the 1984 film Body Double and made frequent guest appearances on television shows such as Fantasy Island, The A-Team, T. J. Hooker, The Fall Guy, Cheers, The Love Boat, Riptide, and Get a Life. In 2008 she was cast to play a rich housewife in the American TV series Nip/Tuck.
Her most notable television performance is the role of Mandy Winger, one of J. R. Ewing's more memorable mistresses in Dallas. After the character left the show, an outpouring of fan mail convinced the producers to bring the character back. Shelton appeared in the series from 1984 to 1987. She also had a role on The Yellow Rose, a "critically acclaimed flop".
In 1991 and 1992, Shelton returned to the Miss USA stage, offering commentary during the pageant.
Read more about this topic: Deborah Shelton
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