Dorothy Stratten 1960 – 1980

Biography

She burst onto the scene as a Playboy Playmate in the late 1970s, becoming one of the decade’s most captivating faces. Dorothy Stratten’s rise was meteoric—she possessed the rare combination of breathtaking beauty and genuine star power that launched her beyond the magazine into film and television roles. At just twenty years old, she was poised to become a major entertainment force, balancing modeling work with acting ambitions during Hollywood’s golden age of the era.

Stratten’s tragic death on August 14, 1980, shocked the entertainment world. She was killed by gunshot wound in Los Angeles, her promising career cut devastatingly short. Though her time in the spotlight lasted mere years, her impact resonated far beyond—she became an enduring cultural icon and symbol of untapped potential. Today, she rests at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, remembered not just for her stunning looks but for the genuine talent and charisma she brought to every role.