Kelly Carlson, 44, says she was 'upset' when her blonde bombshell character was cut from Nip/Tuck... but now she is loving life away from Hollywood

By Heidi Parker For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Kelly Carlson starred as Kimber Henry on 82 episodes of Nip/Tuck when the show aired from 2003 until 2010.

And the 44-year-old star was 'upset' when she was cut from the popular series, she admitted during an Instagram Live interview this week.

But if the actress was asked to return to the Ryan Murphy project for a remake, she would do it.  

Too short: Kelly Carlson starred as Kimber Henry on 82 episodes of Nip/Tuck when the show aired from 2003 until 2010. And the 44-year-old star was 'upset' when she was cut from the popular series, she admitted during an Instagram Live interview this week

Too short: Kelly Carlson starred as Kimber Henry on 82 episodes of Nip/Tuck when the show aired from 2003 until 2010. And the 44-year-old star was 'upset' when she was cut from the popular series, she admitted during an Instagram Live interview this week 

A terrific figure: The actress is seen here in 2009 in Malibu as she shoots a scene for Nip/Tuck

A terrific figure: The actress is seen here in 2009 in Malibu as she shoots a scene for Nip/Tuck

'Was I upset [Kimber] was killed off? I mean, of course, a little bit,' she admitted. 'But I also knew she needed somewhat of a dramatic departure.' 

The character did sort of return, however. 'I will say this: she didn't leave the show, because she came back in dream form. And you know in TV, if you don't see a body, they can always come back. Not that Ryan had any plans of returning at all.'

And she added that if the show comes back, she should be on it. 

A fan favorite: But if the actress was asked to return to the Ryan Murphy project for a remake, she would do it. She played Kimber opposite Julian McMahon's Dr Christian Troy

A fan favorite: But if the actress was asked to return to the Ryan Murphy project for a remake, she would do it. She played Kimber opposite Julian McMahon's Dr Christian Troy

'I hope this doesn't sound arrogant, and I'm sorry if it does. ... I think it would be a mistake not to ever bring Kimber back if they did that,' said Carlson.

'I do. Yeah, that's my ego a little bit. But I don't think Ryan would do that.

'So, if that makes you feel better. Too many people were invested in Kimber and Christian.'

She had a thriving career as a blonde bombshell in Hollywood for a decade.

It was hard to take: 'Was I upset [Kimber] was killed off? I mean, of course, a little bit,' she admitted. 'But I also knew she needed somewhat of a dramatic departure'

It was hard to take: 'Was I upset [Kimber] was killed off? I mean, of course, a little bit,' she admitted. 'But I also knew she needed somewhat of a dramatic departure' 

Not only was she on Nip/Tuck, but she also appeared on Melrose Place. 

And she worked on feature films such as Starship Troopers 2, The Marine and Made Of Honor. 

But around 2010 the siren up and left the business, which not many actors do, and she has no regrets, the star said.

During the video the beauty, who still looks incredible with her signature short blonde hair, reveals why she made the move from Los Angeles to San Diego.

Living the life: She was the red hot siren who turned heads in Miami; seen with McDonald again

Living the life: She was the red hot siren who turned heads in Miami; seen with McDonald again

'Nothing bad happened or anything like that. I loved it, loved my life up there,' said the star who often posed for pinup images for Maxim magazine.

'Why am I not acting? Not for any reason, really. Just that we live far away,' began the actress, who still looks every inch a pinup star.

'I need to be in L.A. and we're not for my husband's work, which is down — he's in the Navy, so we're way down in southern San Diego. And that's kind of it.'

Call me: But she could have come back. 'I will say this: she didn't leave the show, because she came back in dream form. And you know in TV, if you don't see a body, they can always come back. Not that Ryan had any plans of returning at all'

Call me: But she could have come back. 'I will say this: she didn't leave the show, because she came back in dream form. And you know in TV, if you don't see a body, they can always come back. Not that Ryan had any plans of returning at all' 

Her spouse is Dan Stanchfield, whom she wed in a private ceremony with only a few of their close friends and family members.

Kelly added that Dan is 'the star of the family' and she serves in a way as his manager.

He also works as a 'survival instructor.' He was with Kelly during the interview and confirmed that she does in fact help him. 

'It was just a decision, right, so that's all,' said Carlson.

In a bra and not much else: Carlson with John Cena in The Marine (2006)

In a bra and not much else: Carlson with John Cena in The Marine (2006)

Another scene: And here she was with Robert Patrick and Abigail Bianca in The Marine

Another scene: And here she was with Robert Patrick and Abigail Bianca in The Marine

In addition to Nip/Tuck she was also seen on the TV shows Everwood, CSI, CSI: Miami, Monk and Castle. 

The star also said there is a chance she could return to performing.

'Maybe I'll go back one day, I don't know,' she said.

'I'm open. I'm kind of a free spirit. I kind of am, and I'm kind of not. But I'm always up for new experiences. 

She did it for love: 'I need to be in L.A. and we're not for my husband's work, which is down — he's in the Navy, so we're way down in southern San Diego. And that's kind of it,' said Kelly

She did it for love: 'I need to be in L.A. and we're not for my husband's work, which is down — he's in the Navy, so we're way down in southern San Diego. And that's kind of it,' said Kelly

All good: 'And Dan is such a great guy, I'm not gonna say no. Yeah, you don't say no to this kind. No, no. You make adjustments,' she added

All good: 'And Dan is such a great guy, I'm not gonna say no. Yeah, you don't say no to this kind. No, no. You make adjustments,' she added

'And Dan is such a great guy, I'm not gonna say no. Yeah, you don't say no to this kind. No, no. You make adjustments.

'And it's not that he asked me to leave. He didn't at all. It was like I saw a lot of value in what he was doing and so I said we have to go do it. And so we moved.'

But she has come back in a way: the star has a part in the movie The Reason, based on the William Sirls book.

It follows a small-town pastor, his wife and their sick child as a mysterious man is sent to give them hope. Louis Gossett Jr. also stars.

The film is listed as having a 2020 release date.  

Always sizzling on the red carpet: The looker in black lace at a MAC event in 2008

Always sizzling on the red carpet: The looker in black lace at a MAC event in 2008 

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