Karen McDougal began her career as a promotional model and a swimsuit model. Since her appearances in Playboy, her career has broadened to encompass appearances in a wide variety of mainstream media including print media, television and movies with mixed success. She has transitioned into fitness modelling and also guest hosted TV programs (Wild On! on E!, VIP Access on Showtime) and appeared in other television programs (such as: Lovespring International, The O'Reilly Factor, Playmate edition of Russian Roulette) and movies (cameos in Joe Dirt, Charlie's Angels, Grind, The Girl Next Door and Raising Helen), music videos (singer David Lee Roth), various pin-up posters, calendars, magazine covers, advertising campaigns, promotional events, clothing, swimwear and lingerie catalogs following her success as Playmate of the Year.