Karen McDougal (b. March 23, 1971, in Gary, Indiana) is an American model and actress. She was Playboy's Miss December 1997 and Playmate of the Year of 1998. She is of Cherokee Indian and Irish descent.

McDougal moved to Sawyer, Michigan at the age of 9. She is a clarinet player (Michigan state champion 4 years in a row in high school) and was a cheerleader, volleyball and softball player in high school and college. After attending Ferris State University for college, she moved to a Detroit suburb and taught preschool there. She was called "Miss Karen" by the children she taught. In her spare time, she works out 3 times a week to keep fit and stay in shape. Her childhood dream, prior to teaching and modeling, was to become a ballerina.