Who was Dorothy Stratten? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Canadian Celebrities Born In February

Also Known As: Dorothy Ruth Hoogstraten

Died At Age: 20

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Paul Snider (m. 1979–1980)

father: Simon

mother: Nelly Hoogstraten

siblings: John Arthur Stratten, Louise Stratten

Died Young Actresses

Height: 5'9" (175 cm), 5'9" Females

Died on: August 14, 1980

place of death: West Los Angeles, California, United States.

Cause of Death: Murdered

Ancestry: Dutch Canadian

City: Vancouver, Canada

Recommended For You

1

How did Dorothy Stratten start her career in the entertainment industry?

Dorothy Stratten began her career in the entertainment industry when she was discovered by a photographer at the age of 17 while working at a local Dairy Queen in Vancouver.
2

What was Dorothy Stratten's breakthrough role in a film?

Dorothy Stratten's breakthrough role in a film was in the 1980 comedy-drama film "Galaxina," where she played the title role of a beautiful android.
3

What tragic event led to Dorothy Stratten's untimely death?

Dorothy Stratten was tragically murdered by her estranged husband, Paul Snider, in 1980 at the age of 20.
4

How did Dorothy Stratten's death impact the entertainment industry?

Dorothy Stratten's death shocked the entertainment industry and led to increased awareness of domestic violence and the exploitation of young women in Hollywood.
5

What legacy has Dorothy Stratten left behind in the entertainment world?

Dorothy Stratten's legacy in the entertainment world includes being remembered as a promising young talent whose life was cut short, as well as sparking conversations about the dark side of fame and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals in the industry.

Recommended Lists:

Women Film & Theater Personalities

Childhood & Early Life

Dorothy was born on 28th February, 1960 at Grace Maternity Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to Dutch immigrants Nelly and Simon Hoogstraten. When she was 3 years old, her father abandoned the family. Her mother remarried, but this marriage was also a failure.

She had a younger brother John Arthur (born in 1961) and a younger step-sister Louis Stratten (born in May 1968). Though she grew up in a noisy neighborhood in Vancouver, she kept away from most of the troubles.Dorothy studied at the Centennial High School in Coquitlam. Nelly Hoogstraten, having been married and divorced twice, barely earned enough by working as a nurse to support her three children and hence had to depend on welfare grants.

Continue Reading Below

Recommended Lists:

Canadian Female Film & Theater Personalities

Canadian Film & Theater Personalities

Career

While in high school and working at an outlet of the Dairy Queen fast food chain, she met a 26 year old Vancouver promoter and an allegedpimp named Paul Snider and they soon started dating. Snider later asked a professional photographer to take nude pictures of Stratten. Paul then sent those photographs to Playboy Magazine andDorothy immediately asked her mother to sign the consent form for modelling in the US (the Stratten biopic ‘Star 80’ implies that Snider may have forged Stratten’s mother’s signature).

Stratten and Snider flew to Los Angeles in August 1978 and she became one of the contestants of the 25thAnniversary Great Playmate Hunt. Incidentally she changed her surname to Stratten on Snider’s insistence.

She started working as a bunny (club hostess / entertainer) at the Playboy Club in Century City, Los Angeles.

Later sheconsciously tried to move from the Playboy career to an acting career by starring in episodes of the populartelevision series‘Fantasy Island and Buck Rogers’. As she ventured into films, she proved her potential as an actress, particularly noted for comedy roles. Dorothy also became apopular actor in Richard Dawson’s ABC TV Specials, shot at the Playboy Mansion.

Personal Life

Dorothy and Snider got married on June 1979 in Las Vegas. As she was rising as a star, their relationship encountered multiple issues. He started to bother her on the sets of the movie ‘Galaxina’ and also found out that she was developing more than a friendly relationship with director Peter Bogdanovich.

Snider’s cocaine addiction worsened and he became increasingly violent and abusive. According to the biopic ‘Star 80’, Snider may have lost Stratten’s hard earned money through failed business attempts and excessive spending.

Stratten tried her best to move away from Snider with support from Hugh Hefner and her friend and Playboy colleague Rosanne Katon. In 1980, Stratten was cast (probably with some help from Hugh Hefner) in a romantic comedy titled ‘They All Laughed’, co-starring Audry Hepburn and Bena Gazzara.

Director Peter Bogdanovich (just separated from his partner Cybill Sheperd) and Stratten had an affair during the filming in New York in spring 1980. Strangely Stratten played the role of a wife, having an extramarital affair while her husband tries to discover her secret life with the help of a private detective, just like what Snider did in real life. Later, Stratten and Bogdanovich went to Europe for a vacation.

When Stratten returned, she had plans of divorcing her husband Snider, who by that time was living separately along with another blonde.

Continue Reading Below

The estranged couple agreed upon meeting each other on 14th August, 1980 for discussing separation formalities. The argument soon turned violent, and as Snider had other plans, he had come armed with a gun.He raped his wife and then shot her to death before killing himself.

The incident was first brought to light by Snider’s private detective who called their mutual friend Dr. Cushner in order to break into the room where the incident had happened. Autopsy reports suggested that Stratten was assaulted before and after her death. The death of the Playmate was on the headlines of many national dailies the next morning.

Awards & Achievement

Dorothy became Playboy’s Miss August in 1979.

In 1980, it was revealed that Stratten would be declared as the Playmate of the Year by Playboy founder and publisher Hugh M. Hefner.

Film critic Vincent Canby had said that Stratten possessed a great screen presence and would have become a first-grade comedian, had more time and work been allotted to her. She also had a flair for writing good poetry and essays. She also appeared in the Vancouver Canadians’ baseball program, one month before her death.

Facts About Dorothy Stratten

Dorothy Stratten was not only a successful model and actress, but she was also a talented artist who enjoyed painting in her spare time.

Despite her glamorous career in Hollywood, Dorothy was known for her down-to-earth personality and kindness towards others.

Dorothy had a passion for cooking and often experimented with new recipes in her kitchen, surprising her friends and family with delicious meals.

In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Dorothy was also an advocate for animal rights and supported various animal welfare organizations.

Dorothy had a love for vintage fashion and often incorporated retro styles into her wardrobe, showcasing her unique and timeless sense of style.

Dorothy Stratten Biography

You wanted to know

How did Dorothy Stratten start her career in the entertainment industry?

What was Dorothy Stratten's breakthrough role in a film?

What tragic event led to Dorothy Stratten's untimely death?

How did Dorothy Stratten's death impact the entertainment industry?

What legacy has Dorothy Stratten left behind in the entertainment world?