Dorothy Stratten was a Canadian-American actress who is best known for her roles in “They All Laughed,” “Galaxina,” and “Americathon.” Her life was marked by a rapid rise to fame followed by a tragic end.
Personal and Family Life
Born Dorothy Ruth Hoogstraten on February 28, 1960, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, she grew up in a challenging neighborhood. Despite her difficult surroundings, she managed to stay out of trouble and focused on school. After high school, she attracted the attention of promoter Paul Snider, who became her husband shortly after she began her modeling career.
Career Highlights
Stratten started her career as a Playmate in August 1979 and quickly transitioned to acting in films like “Americathon” and “Galaxina.” Her beauty and talent gained her recognition in Hollywood, and in 1980, she was named Playmate of the Year. However, her rising star was overshadowed by her troubled marriage to Snider, who became increasingly controlling and jealous.
Death and Legacy
Dorothy Stratten’s life came to a tragic end on August 14, 1980, when she was murdered by her estranged husband Paul Snider in a horrific act of violence. After killing her, he took his own life. Since her death, she has remained a symbol of tragedy in Hollywood, with multiple films, books, and songs inspired by her story.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| They All Laughed | 1981-11-20 | Dolores Martin |
| Galaxina | 1980-06-06 | Galaxina |
| Autumn | 1979-09-01 | Tara Dawson |
| Playboy Video Magazine: Volume 4 | 1983-01-01 | Herself |
| Playboy’s Roller Disco & Pajama Party | 1979-11-23 | |
| Americathon | 1979-08-10 | Americathon Stage Dancer |
| Skatetown, U.S.A. | 1979-10-01 | Girl at Snack Bar |
| Playboy Playmates of the Year: The 80’s | 1989-01-02 | |
| Dorothy Stratten: The Untold Story | 1985-10-13 | |
| One Day Since Yesterday: Peter Bogdanovich & the Lost American Film | 2014-08-26 | Self |
| Buck Rogers in the 25th Century | 1979-09-20 | Miss Cosmos |
| Secrets of Playboy | 2022-01-24 | Self – (Archive Footage) |
| The Playboy Murders | 2023-01-23 | Self (archive footage) |