Minka Kelly Talks Plastic Surgery And Past Jobs With David Letterman (VIDEO)

Actress Minka Kelly is kicking butt as one of "Charlie's Angels" in the reboot of the iconic 1970's series, but before she was a household name, the 31-year-old had a surprising career.

Kelly told "Late Show" host David Letterman that she was a scrub nurse for four years -- prepping operating rooms, and suturing up patients. The actress said she hadn't planned on working in the medical industry, but found herself working in a doctor's office in exchange for plastic surgery.

She explained to Letterman that when she was 19, she was approached by a former Playboy Playmate who wanted to manage her acting career.

"She was very seductive and said that she wanted to manage me and that I had a lot of potential," Kelly said. "She said that she could get me a job at this doctor's office in return for plastic surgery which I would need to be a Playboy Playmate."

Hard to believe anyone would tell the gorgeous actress she needed work done, but Kelly told Letterman the Playmate told her she needed, "lipo, fake breasts, a few veneers and all kinds of stuff."

Minka took the job, but said she only lasted a month, because she realized she didn't want any plastic surgery after all.

"When I told [the former Playmate] that I didn't want [surgery], she said I would never be Playmate of the Year and I said, 'I think that's okay. I'm okay with that.'"

While Kelly didn't last long in that office, she took a course to become a certified scrub nurse. Had her acting career not taken off, she might still be working in medicine today.

WATCH:

Check out some photos of Minka's top 25 red carpet looks.

Comments

[John Di Saia]

02:45 PM on 10/09/2011

Story sounds OK except that scrub nurses do not suture patients.

[vena]

01:54 AM on 09/28/2011

All these beautiful people claim it's in the 'genes'. I would say this is an embelishment of the truth. Most may not do radical surgery, but they most certainly do nips and tucks. So, do not believe these beautiful people and waste your time trying all kinds of lotion and potions...go do the nip and tuck as well (-_-)!!

[Makenzie]

02:46 PM on 09/26/2011

After that article that Giula Rozzi wrote last month about her acting teacher suggesting she go under the knife, I'm not too surprised by this. Plastic surgery is a good option for some people, but the fact that it almost seems like a prerequisite to stay in the limelight is sad.
I work for RealSelf.com, and one of our members said it's not even just celebs who feel the pressure in LA:

"Where I live, everyone is beautiful! It’s LA, the land of quick cures where no one ages. You’d think this just applies to celebrities but it doesn’t...I’m always accused of looking angry and tired even when I’m not and I felt like this was having a negative impact on my work."

LA is a city of dreams for sure. But after seeing a good friend lose herself to eating disorders just by going to fashion design school down there, I am slightly bitter toward the "perfect at any cost" attitude.

Also: I bet Playboy would love for Minka Kelly to be a centerfold now, sans surgery!

[SAMUEL50]

10:02 AM on 09/23/2011

never would have made it at playboy! Shes not blonde.

[oncarnp]

08:41 AM on 09/23/2011

I find the sensationalism in this story offensive...to nurses. I am a NURSE! I have a four year degree and a masters degree. You cannot "take a course" to become a nurse. She may have worked as a scrub "TECH" but she certainly was NOT a nurse. And as a patient, I would carefully evaluate a plastic surgeon who trades surgery for manpower, especially using someone so untrained in his procedures. Please use terms correctly when reporting such stories!

[BabyMed]

09:57 AM on 09/23/2011

Yes...It's funny how these "Hollywood" types like to make themselves to sound more than they are.
You get a degree in most states to be a "Nurse" and what she did was a scrub "Tech" because they are much cheaper than nurses.

[John Di Saia]

02:46 PM on 10/09/2011

Scrub techs do not suture patients either. The story is being embellished but that to is "o so Hollywood." :)

[EightDMB]

07:51 AM on 09/23/2011

What's amazing is that a grown woman who doesn't gain weight or have a child, can jump about 2 cup sizes (see 2007 and 2008 pics). She must have had her surgery after the Playboy gig. Of course the Playboy surgery requires a 4 cup size jump! Regardless, she is gorgeous.

[kinogod]

07:11 AM on 09/23/2011

You can stitch me back together after I stop Rollin around on the floor laughing at what a bad idea a Charlie reboot really is. Rachel Taylor really knows how to act so what the heck is she doing in this mess? She looks like she wants her reps to do a little explaining.

[DogDancer]

01:28 AM on 09/23/2011

My goodness, and so modest, too.

[WestOfTheMoon]

01:19 AM on 09/23/2011

Don't know much about her as an actress, but I loved her dress at the Emmy Awards. Classy, conservative and refined.

[DogDancer]

10:31 PM on 09/22/2011

Where did the real names go?

[liberalsrheros]

10:17 PM on 09/22/2011

she's 31?!

[jkpcguru]

12:07 AM on 09/23/2011

That's what I said! I thought she was like 25

[ptrgamb]

10:07 PM on 09/22/2011

As a running joke (noticed only by me) I type "she appears to be attractive" in comments on all of these stories. But she really DOES appear to be attractive. Very. Nothing about her should be changed.

[panasonic52]

08:50 PM on 09/22/2011

She's prettier than any fake playmate

[sheilajmq]

08:30 PM on 09/22/2011

Thank goodness she didn't have any surgery. She is one of the most natural beauties on the screen today.

[P51MUSTANG]

08:22 PM on 09/22/2011

Is plural of Minka "Minx?" Cause she's definitely a little minx...