Known for bringing a loopy, perky quality to the zany characters she plays, Kim Coles got her start in show business as first runner-up in the Big Beautiful Woman beauty pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. After a successful career as a "large-size" model, a desire to bring more glamour to her act inspired Coles to shed a few pounds. Appearances as a club performer led to her first break as a warm-up comic for NBC's "The Cosby Show". Coles also appeared on "Yo! MTV Laffs" and "Star Search" and performed as an opening act for musicians Luther Vandross, Bobby Brown, and The O'Jays, among