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KAREN CLICHE ASKMEN.COM ARTICLE
Karen Cliche

why is she famous?

Sexy Karen Cliche has starred alongside Hollywood heavy hitters such as Natasha Henstridge, Stephen Dorff, Peter Gallagher, and she currently stars as Mackenzie Previn in the hit TV series Adventure Inc.

quick bio

It doesn't take much for any man to notice actress Karen Cliche. Between the mesmerizing eyes, sultry lips, sexy freckles, and knockout body, Karen is stunning -- but that is not what she wants you to notice. After all, there is no lack of attractive women on fashion runways, so Karen has set her sights on a greater prize: Hollywood.

After working with Francis Ford Coppola and appearing with everyone from Stephen Dorff and Natasha Henstridge to Stephen Baldwin and Peter Gallagher on a wide range of projects, Cliche now finds herself under the tutelage of Gale Anne Hurd in Adventure Inc., the latest weekly action-hour show from Tribune Entertainment and Fireworks Entertainment. Fireworks' previous works include Armageddon, The Terminator, T2, The Abyss, and the upcoming feature, The Hulk.

In her latest role as Mackenzie Previn, Karen is accumulating fans every time she walks onto the set. Hailing from Montreal -- a city known as much for hockey as it is for its good times and great-looking women -- Cliche's character combines the toughness of hockey with her down-to-earth persona and sexy physique, making her an immediate favorite with audiences.

We were fortunate enough to sit down with Karen to chat about what's going on in her life...

q & a

Q: Karen, I can see how you fell into modeling, but when did you decide to get into acting?
I always wanted to act, it was something I did in school, but then something happened when I hit college. I thought it was too ambitious to go into acting, so fear kicked in and I went into psychology. But then my modeling agency started an acting department, so I just went for it. I was lucky to have that outlet.

Karen ClicheQ: How important is it to get involved with acting in school?
Well, I was not trained in the traditional sense, but growing up, you become inhibited about acting. Things like improv make you a better actor -- you become less shy and more open to ideas.

Q: You studied psychology; how useful is that?
I have never played a psychopath (laughs), but I did a year in college so I did not get into it too much... but acting is psychology so it does help.

Q: You've worked with a bunch of different people, are you at all star struck?
Nothing intimidates me. People are people so I do not have that separation. I grew up knowing that I would be an actor -- I hope that is not arrogant -- but I knew that they were people like me... of course, if Al Pacino was on the set, then yes, I would be a bit nervous!

¿ Quick fact ?
Karen Cliche was born July 22, 1976, in Quebec, Canada, where it's rumored that some of the most beautiful women reside.

Q: Tell us about Adventure Inc.
It is loosely based on the story of Barry Clifford, really well known with [fans of] the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. He spent years diving for fun, searching for treasure; he has found plenty of sunken pirate ships. His name got around and this has been in the making for 10 years. Every episode is about some adventure somewhere; we have bad guys trying to sabotage us, we kick some butt, and everybody is happy (laughs).

Q: You mention 10 years, is that the typical Hollywood pace?
Well, I am surprised to see that it took so long, oftentimes it is a matter of who you want in there and who you want to work on it. You have to be at the right place at the right time.

Q: You mentioned Al Pacino; besides him, who do you look up to?
Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep... Anyone who is talented and takes risks is great in my eyes.

Karen ClicheQ: What do you want people to think of when they hear the name Karen Cliche?
Well, I want people to know that I am really down-to-earth; I do not take myself too seriously. I think I am a big loser sometimes (laughs)! I have a horrible laugh... but if they think that I am a good actor and a nice person, that's even better.

Q: You have a great laugh... anyway, how hard is it to be respected as an actor when you are good-looking?
Very hard. But it's like that everywhere, not just acting. People are surprised to see that you can act. But just because you are in the attractive group (laughs), that doesn't mean you cannot have anything else going for you. I mean, you want to be treated like a normal person.

Q: You've played a Marilyn Monroe wannabe?
I am quite obsessed with her life. Everyone loves looking at her; in her life she exuded so much vulnerability. I relate to her need to be loved and can appreciate the way she was. Her acting was a bit over the top, but she was funny and good-looking. She was very feminine.

Q: You come across as though you were raised like a boy, any truth to that?
Well, that is true, my father raised me like a boy... I happen to swear and stuff to the crew, I have a foul mouth but it is meant in a nice way, I guess I am not very girly...

Q: Gee, I wonder what profanities you will use to thank us (laughs). It's all good, so long as you shave your legs, you can curse like a sailor (laughs).
Oh I don't shave my legs, just kidding... actually, sometimes I may go a week, but I am naturally blonde...

Q: Too much information (laughs). Actually, after that last comment, no one will ever think of you as just a sexy, hot woman... did you say a "natural blonde"? All righty, let's focus. We will leave all of this out...
I do not care, you can leave it (laughs).

¿ Quick fact ?
Karen stands nice and tall at a towering 5'9". Still, she decided that she wanted to be an actress as opposed to a model.

Karen ClicheQ: You've traveled a bit to Hong Kong and obviously L.A.; tell us about some of the places you've been to.
Oh my God, I loved Germany, Italy and Australia as well. The people are just great. I love Europe -- both the UK and France.

Q: What would you do if you were a man for a day?
I would probably... hmm... I don't know... I would probably hang out in the park and check out girls... isn't that what you do?

Q: What is the one thing about you that would shock our readers?
I burp really well, [but] not on command... there are some things I can't say... one thing I have done is, I have really long toes, so I once smoked a cigarette with my toes for a pitcher of beer...

Q: You sure you want us to print that?
Oh yeah... go for it.

Q: All right, what about giving us one thing that we can keep to ourselves, you know, off the record?
(laughs) Okay, come closer...

Ooh, is it getting hot in here? Thanks so much for your time, Karen, you truly are beautiful in all the ways that matter...