Dorothy Ruth Hoogstraten, born on February 28, 1960, in Canada, is best remembered as Dorothy Stratten, a captivating model and actress who rose to fame in the late 1970s. Stratten's career took off when she was named Playboy Playmate of the Month in August nineteen seventy-nine, followed by her recognition as Playmate of the Year in nineteen eighty. Her striking beauty and charm led her to appear in several comedy films and television shows, making her a notable figure in American entertainment.
Tragically, Stratten's life was cut short when she was murdered on August 14, 1980, at the tender age of twenty. This devastating event occurred shortly after she co-starred in the film They All Laughed. Her estranged husband and manager, Paul Snider, committed the heinous act, driven by a tumultuous relationship that was unraveling as Stratten sought to divorce him and sever their business ties. Following the murder, Snider took his own life.
The impact of Stratten's untimely death resonated deeply, inspiring various artistic works, including the television movie Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story in nineteen eighty-one, the theatrical film Star 80 in nineteen eighty-three, and the book The Killing of the Unicorn published in nineteen eighty-four. These tributes reflect the profound loss of a young talent whose potential was tragically extinguished.