Amanda Jones

Amanda Clara Jones (born October 28, 1950) is an American actress, former model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss USA 1973 and then represented the United States at Miss Universe 1973 where she placed 1st Runner-Up.

With no prior pageant experience, Jones was crowned Miss Illinois USA 1973, earning the right to represent Illinois in the Miss USA 1973 pageant held in New York City. She eventually won the Miss USA title and was crowned by outgoing titleholder Tanya Wilson. Her prize money included a $7,500 cash prize and a $7,500 appearance contract.

In July, Jones competed in the Miss Universe 1973 pageant in Athens, Greece where she placed 1st runner-up to Margarita Moran of the Philippines.

Jones was an aspiring local commercial model, and only applied for the Miss Illinois USA pageant at the behest of her modelling agent.

She appears under a pseudonym in Studs Terkel's 1980 book American Dreams: Lost & Found where she recalled

Jones studied at the University of Colorado but dropped out in 1971 to pursue an acting career.