Dorothy Stratten
Dorothy Ruth Hoogstraten (February 28, 1960 – August 14, 1980), known professionally as Dorothy Stratten, was a Canadian model and actress, primarily known for her appearances as a Playboy Playmate. Stratten was the Playboy Playmate of the Month for August 1979 and Playmate of the Year in 1980, and appeared in three comedy films and in at least two episodes of shows broadcast on American network television. She was murdered shortly after starring in the movie Galaxina at the age of 20 by her estranged husband and manager Paul Snider, whom she was in the process of divorcing and breaking business ties. Snider committed suicide after he killed Stratten.
Dorothy Stratten | |
|---|---|
Stratten in 1979 | |
| Born | Dorothy Ruth Hoogstraten February 28, 1960 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Died | August 14, 1980 (aged 20) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wound |
| Resting place | Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse |
Paul Snider
(m. 1979; sep. 1980) |
| Playboy centerfold appearance | |
| August 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Dorothy Mays |
| Succeeded by | Vicki McCarty |
| Playboy Playmate of the Year | |
| 1980 | |
| Preceded by | Monique St. Pierre |
| Succeeded by | Terri Welles |
Stratten's death inspired two movies, a book, and several songs: the 1981 TV movie Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story, the 1983 theatrical motion picture Star 80, the book The Killing of the Unicorn, and songs such as "The Best Was Yet to Come" by Bryan Adams, and "Cover Girl" by Prism.