Exuding an old school sexuality a la Ava Gardner and Rita Hayworth, actress Laura Elena Harring launched her career by making history as the first Latina to be crowned Miss USA in 1985. A year after her reign, the striking brunette married a German count and swiftly began her acting career playing Raul Julia's wife in the NBC TV-movie "The Alamo: 13 Days to Glory" (1987). After clashing with her husband over her desire to pursue an acting career, Harring obtained a divorce and landed the lead in "The Forbidden Dance" (1990), as well as a one-year stint on the daytime serial, "General Hospital"
Was the victim of a drive-by shooting at age 12 while living in San Antonio, Texas; suffered wound to the head
1982
Stranded in the Philippines for eight months when the owner of the restaurant at which she was working as a cashier confiscated her passport because he was infatuated with her
Returned to USA and lived in El Paso, Texas; entered local beauty pageant in 1984
