When we think ‘hometown girl’, we think of Jenny McCarthy. She’s one of Playboy’s greatest success stories, and so much more than a model – she’s an actress and TV hostess extraordinaire, author of eight bestselling books, and most recently, an activist. Born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, Jenny rose to fame as Playmate of the Month in October 1993, and her beauty and charm won her Playmate of the Year in 1994. In that first flush of fame – and flush with cash – she moved to Los Angeles, where she hosted Hot Rocks, an uncensored music video series on Playboy TV. From there, she became a host on MTV’s Singled Out, and later, she coined her own late-night slot, The Jenny McCarthy Show. With the glamour of an ingénue and a sense of humor that would make your older brother blush, Jenny became a movie star, and her roles in BASEketball, Scream 3 and Scary Movie 3cemented her place in Hollywood and pop culture at large. Miss McCarthy is a Chicago girl, and with a tip of the top hat to Hugh Hefner’s home base, she never forgot where she came from. She continued to model for Playboy, with covers and features in January 2005 and June 2012 issues of the magazine, and she was the second woman – and first Playmate – to be a Celebrity Photographer for the Cyber Club. She’s guest starred on countless sitcoms, including The Drew Carey Show, Just Shoot Me and Two and a Half Men, served as a co-host on The View, and in 2014 wed actor Donnie Wahlberg. She’s come under fire for her social and political opinions, but with all the classic style and grace of a Playmate, she knows what she wants, and is not afraid to get it. From Polish kielbasa vendor to meaty roles in film and television, a helping hand to a round of applause, one thing is for sure – Jenny McCarthy is here to stay.