Judi Andersen

Judi Andersen Harrison, born Judi Andersen on October 11, 1958, is an American model, actress, and beauty pageant titleholder. She is best known for winning the Miss USA 1978 pageant and subsequently competing as the representative for the United States at Miss Universe 1978.

Andersen was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She attended the Punahou School during her early years. Later, she relocated to Millbrook, New York, where she pursued studies in fashion design at Bennett College.

Her rise in the pageant world began in 1977 when she was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 1978. This title earned her the right to represent her home state at the Miss USA 1978 competition held in Charleston, South Carolina. She ultimately won the national crown, becoming the third woman from Hawaii to achieve the title of Miss USA.

Following her national win, Andersen represented the United States at the Miss Universe 1978 pageant in Acapulco, Mexico, where she wore a Vegas showgirl outfit as her national costume. During the competition, she achieved the highest scores in both the interview and swimsuit segments, as well as the highest average score in the semifinals. She finished the pageant as the first runner-up to South Africa's Margaret Gardiner, marking the best result for a U.S. delegate at Miss Universe since 1973.

After completing her duties as Miss USA, Andersen crowned her successor, Mary Therese Friel, at the Miss USA 1979 pageant. She returned to the event the following year to serve as a judge for Miss USA 1980.

Following her time as a pageant titleholder, Andersen transitioned into acting. Her television career included appearances on series such as Fantasy Island, Magnum, P.I., and Jake and the Fatman. Later in her professional life, she moved back to Hawaii, where she owned and operated a chiropractic clinic.