Dorothy Stratten: Unveiling the Life and Tragic Legacy of a Hollywood Starlet
The name Dorothy Stratten often evokes a profound sense of tragedy, forever linked to the horrific murder that cut short her burgeoning career in 1980. For decades, her demise at the hands of her estranged husband, Paul Snider, has haunted Hollywood and captivated public imagination. However, to focus solely on the manner of her death is to overlook the vibrant, ambitious, and talented woman she was – a Playboy Playmate and actress on the precipice of true stardom. Her story is not just one of a sensational crime, but a poignant reminder of shattered potential, the darker side of fame, and the insidious nature of control and obsession.
Almost 30 years after the events that sealed her fate, Dorothy Stratten’s life and legacy are once again brought into the spotlight, notably through documentaries like 20/20‘s “The Death of a Playmate: The Dorothy Stratten Story.” This renewed attention offers an opportunity to delve deeper into her journey, celebrating her life and achievements, while also confronting the circumstances that led to her untimely end. Dorothy was just 20 years old when Paul Snider took her life, and then his own, driven by a possessive rage as her career soared without him and she found love with acclaimed director Peter Bogdanovich. Her narrative is a complex tapestry woven with threads of innocence, ambition, exploitation, and ultimately, heart-wrenching loss.
From Dairy Queen to Playboy: The Ascent of a Young Star
Dorothy Stratten’s story began not in the glamorous lights of Hollywood, but in the unassuming setting of a Vancouver, British Columbia Dairy Queen in 1977. It was there, while still in high school, that her captivating beauty caught the eye of Paul Snider, a local pimp and aspiring promoter with a Svengali-like charm. Snider, significantly older at 26, immediately began to “groom” the then-17-year-old Dorothy. He showered her with gifts, took her on lavish dates, bought her an expensive dress for her senior prom, and became a constant, dominating presence in her life. This initial period was marked by an unsettling power imbalance, as Snider skillfully exploited Dorothy’s innocence and yearning for a better life, slowly isolating her from her existing support network.
After Dorothy turned 18, Snider’s manipulation intensified. He pressured her to pose nude for a professional photoshoot, convinced that her striking looks would be her ticket to fame and, by extension, his own fortune. These photographs were then submitted to Playboy magazine for their highly publicized “Great Playmate Hunt” contest, which promised the winner the coveted centerfold spot in the 25th-anniversary issue in 1979. While Dorothy didn’t win the grand prize, her photos made a significant impression on Hugh Hefner and other Playboy executives. They were so captivated by her natural beauty and innate charm that she was chosen as the August 1979 Playmate.
This pivotal moment prompted Dorothy and Paul to relocate to Los Angeles, a move that promised a glittering future for Dorothy but solidified Paul’s parasitic dependence. In Hollywood, Dorothy immersed herself in the world of Playboy, posing for the magazine and working as a Bunny at the prestigious Playboy Club. Her star was undeniably on the rise, yet she remained largely dependent on Paul, who skillfully positioned himself as her manager and protector, all while leeching onto her growing success and financial gains. This period saw the early warning signs of Paul’s possessive and volatile nature, as he grew increasingly resentful of Dorothy’s independent success and the attention she garnered. Even Hugh Hefner, who had a paternal affection for Dorothy, recognized Paul’s toxic influence and reportedly tried to dissuade her from marrying him in 1979, fearing for her well-being and career.
The Shadow of Paul Snider: A Toxic Presence
As Dorothy Stratten’s career blossomed, the chasm between her upward trajectory and Paul Snider’s increasingly desperate attempts to cling to her success widened. Paul became an unwelcome and disruptive presence within Dorothy’s burgeoning professional and social circles. His personality, often described as coarse and boorish, clashed dramatically with the sophisticated world she was entering. Eric Roberts, who famously portrayed Snider in the critically acclaimed film Star 80, characterized him as “offensive” and “small-time,” an accurate reflection of how he was perceived by those around Dorothy.
Snider’s behavior was not only unprofessional but often outright disrespectful, particularly within the hallowed grounds of the Playboy Mansion. He was notorious for spending an inordinate amount of time in the mansion’s grotto, engaging in inappropriate behavior with other women, despite being married to Dorothy. This flagrant disregard for decorum eventually led to his expulsion from the mansion. Alison Reynolds, a former Playboy social secretary, recounted how security ultimately banned him, stating he would only be permitted on the property if he was explicitly accompanied by Dorothy. This incident underscored his social ostracization and the contempt with which he was viewed by those who genuinely cared for Dorothy’s well-being. Recognizing Paul’s detrimental influence, Hefner took proactive steps to protect Dorothy’s career, ensuring she was set up with a professional manager who could truly safeguard her interests, effectively circumventing Paul’s self-appointed role and further diminishing his control.
A Career in Bloom: Hollywood Beckons
Dorothy’s natural talent and undeniable screen presence quickly transcended the pages of Playboy. Her charm and photogenic qualities paved the way for opportunities in television and film. After a memorable appearance on the 1979 ABC special Playboy’s Roller Disco and Pajama Party, she began to receive offers for acting roles, marking a significant step in her transition from pin-up model to legitimate actress. She landed bit parts in popular television shows like Fantasy Island, gaining valuable experience and exposure. Her potential was undeniable, and it wasn’t long before she secured her first major role.
In 1980, Dorothy was cast as the lead in the science fiction comedy Galaxina, a role that allowed her to showcase both her beauty and her developing comedic timing. This was a significant milestone, proving her capability beyond just her looks. That same year, her star ascended even further when she was named Playboy’s Playmate of the Year, a prestigious honor that cemented her status as one of the magazine’s most beloved figures. This period of professional triumph, however, tragically coincided with the rapid deterioration of her personal life. The more successful Dorothy became, the more independent she felt, and the more intolerable Paul’s possessiveness became, setting the stage for the inevitable collapse of their troubled marriage.
A Fateful Encounter: Love and Liberation
The turning point in Dorothy’s personal life came in 1980, when she met acclaimed film director Peter Bogdanovich. Bogdanovich, reeling from a breakup, had found solace and companionship among the denizens of the Playboy Mansion. He and Dorothy immediately formed a strong connection, drawn to each other’s intelligence and spirit. Their bond deepened when Bogdanovich cast Dorothy in his upcoming film, They All Laughed. This comedy boasted an impressive ensemble cast, including Hollywood legends Audrey Hepburn, Ben Gazzara, and John Ritter, offering Dorothy an unparalleled opportunity to work alongside seasoned professionals and further hone her craft.
During the production of They All Laughed, which filmed partly in New York, the professional relationship between Dorothy and Peter blossomed into a profound love. This burgeoning romance occurred while Dorothy was still legally married to Paul, a marriage that had become increasingly suffocating and abusive. Her friend and co-star, Colleen Camp, keenly observed the volatile dynamics and wisely warned Peter about Paul’s dangerous nature, urging him to exercise extreme caution in his dealings with the unstable man. As filming concluded, Dorothy made the courageous and long-overdue decision to leave Paul and move in with Peter, seeking a future free from her husband’s control. She met with Paul, hoping for an amicable separation and the finalization of their divorce papers, as recounted by Larry Wilcox, executive producer of the 1981 film Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story. However, Paul’s reaction was far from amicable. Fueled by jealousy and a desperate need for control, he borrowed a revolver from a friend and reportedly waited outside Dorothy and Peter’s home, a terrifying act of intimidation that foreshadowed the tragedy to come, though he did not harm them at that time.
The Tragic End: A Life Unjustly Stolen
The fatal climax of Dorothy Stratten’s life occurred on August 14, 1980, a day that would forever be etched into Hollywood’s collective memory. Dorothy, driven by a desire to finalize her divorce and sever ties with Paul once and for all, went to the house she had once shared with him. Unbeknownst to her, their mutual friends, Stephen Cushner and Patti Laurman, who also lived there, were out for the day. When Stephen and Patti returned home, they observed Dorothy and Paul’s cars in the driveway, leading them to assume the estranged couple had reconciled for a discussion and were downstairs in Paul’s bedroom. They proceeded upstairs to watch television, giving the pair what they believed was privacy.
However, as hours passed with an eerie silence emanating from downstairs, a sense of unease settled over Stephen and Patti. They knocked on the bedroom door, but received no answer. Stephen, overcome by a growing dread, cautiously opened the door, only to be confronted by a scene of unspeakable horror. Paul and Dorothy lay naked, covered in blood, both lifeless. Patti’s chilling description of the scene—”It looked like it was a horror movie — a staged horror movie — like mannequins and fake blood”—perfectly encapsulates the surreal and traumatic nature of their discovery. It was a mental image, she confessed, that would forever be seared into her mind.
Police investigations quickly pieced together the gruesome events. Detectives determined that Paul Snider, consumed by rage and a desire for ultimate control, had raped Dorothy, then brutally shot her in the face with a 12-gauge shotgun he had purchased just the day prior. Following this heinous act, he turned the weapon on himself. Homicide detective Richard DeAnda, who worked on the case, offered a profound insight into Snider’s warped motivations: “I think that if you look at the control factor of…forcing sex upon her, I think that’s all a part of his regaining his position of power.” DeAnda concluded, “I think it was more realizing that he had no future without her and didn’t want anyone else to have a future [with] her.” This statement speaks volumes about the possessive, narcissistic psychology of Paul Snider, for whom Dorothy was not a partner, but an object to be owned, and if not owned, then destroyed.
Dorothy Stratten’s murder sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond, serving as a stark warning about the dangers of domestic violence and the dark undercurrents that can exist beneath the glamorous facade of fame. Her death was a profound loss, robbing the world of a bright talent whose potential was only just beginning to unfold. Her story, though tragically brief, continues to resonate as a powerful cautionary tale and a reminder to honor the vibrant life she lived, rather than solely focusing on the violent end she endured.
The 20/20 episode “The Death of a Playmate: The Dorothy Stratten Story,” which first aired on October 18, 2019, on ABC, is one of several efforts to ensure that Dorothy Stratten is remembered not just for her untimely death, but for the beautiful, ambitious, and promising young woman she was.