Randi Oakes
| Randi Oakes | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Betty Lee Oakes August 19, 1951 Sumner, Iowa, U.S. |
| Residence | Portland, Oregon |
| Occupation | Actress, model |
| Years active | 1970s–1985 |
| Spouse(s) | Gregory Harrison (1980–present) (4 children) |
| Children | Emma Lee Harrison (b. 1985) Lily Anne Harrison (b. 1989) Kate Harrison (b. 1991) Quinn Edgar Harrison (adopted) |
Betty Lee "Randi" Oakes (born August 19, 1951) is an American actress and fashion model. Active in the 1970s and early 1980s, she is probably best known for her role as Officer Bonnie Clark on the television series CHiPs, a role she played from 1979 to 1982. Married to actor Gregory Harrison since 1980, Oakes retired from acting when their first child was born in 1985.
Oakes was born in Sumner, Iowa, and grew up in tiny Randalia, Iowa. While in high school, she went to Des Moines, Iowa, twice a week to attend modeling school. Oakes was named Miss Iowa Model of the Year and moved to New York City with a modeling contract at age 17. She quickly became one of the top fashion models in the United States. While modeling, she was in a relationship with pro football star Joe Namath for seven years and was sometimes referred to as "Joe's fiancee". Oakes began a shift from modeling to acting when, at the age of 23, she overheard one model tell another, "You know, you're kind of a young Randi Oakes."
Oakes was a frequent guest star on television series during the late 1970s and early 1980s, including roles on McCloud, Delvecchio, Switch, B. J. and the Bear, Barnaby Jones, The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. She also starred as Sally in the 1978 theatrical crime drama Acapulco Gold and had recurring roles as Georgia on the 1977 television series Rosetti and Ryan and as a young Taurus woman on the original Battlestar Galactica.
A guest role as a car thief in the episode "Downtime" on CHiPs led to the featured role as the beautiful blonde police officer Bonnie Clark that made her a household name. She appeared on the series from the beginning of its third season until the end of its fifth season. Along with costar Larry Wilcox, Oakes left the show in 1982. According to a 1983 article that appeared in People, a lack of time spent with significant other Gregory Harrison led to the actress's departure from CHiPs.
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