Dorothy Stratten’s life reads like a Hollywood screenplay—glamorous, tragic, and hauntingly short. She was the quintessential small-town girl whose beauty and presence propelled her into the spotlight. But behind the dazzling ascent was a story of control, obsession, and a tragic end that the world still mourns.

Born Dorothy Ruth Hoogstraten on February 28, 1960, in Vancouver, British Columbia, she grew up in Coquitlam, a suburb not far from the city. Her family was modest; her parents had emigrated from the Netherlands, and her father left early in her life.

Dorothy, her mother, and her siblings lived a quiet life. She was a shy, thoughtful girl who worked at Dairy Queen during high school to help support her family. Nobody who walked into that restaurant could have guessed they were being served by someone who would soon be hailed as one of the most captivating women in North America.

It was at that Dairy Queen that Paul Snider, a small-time promoter and hustler, spotted her. He was instantly struck by her beauty and saw in Dorothy what he believed to be a ticket to fame and fortune. Snider persuaded her to pose nude for a photoshoot and submitted the photos to Playboy magazine. Dorothy was hesitant—reserved by nature and devoted to her family—but eventually relented.

In 1978, Playboy invited her to Los Angeles for a test shoot. The decision changed her life forever. Within a year, she became a Playmate, first featured in the August 1979 issue and then crowned Playmate of the Year in 1980. She was given a new last name—Stratten—and with it, a new identity. The magazine, fascinated by her mix of innocence and allure, presented her as the perfect blend of girl-next-door and Hollywood siren.

Dorothy quickly became more than just a pin-up model. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner believed she had acting potential, and she began taking small roles in films and TV shows. She appeared in Fantasy Island, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and even had a small part in the sci-fi spoof Galaxina. While none of the roles catapulted her to stardom immediately, critics and filmmakers began to notice her—not just for her looks, but for the raw charm she brought to the screen.

Among those who noticed was director Peter Bogdanovich, known for The Last Picture Show and Paper Moon. He cast her in They All Laughed, a romantic comedy with Audrey Hepburn and John Ritter. On set, their connection grew into a love affair. Bogdanovich believed Dorothy had the potential to become a serious actress, comparing her to Marilyn Monroe—not just in beauty, but in vulnerability.

But while Dorothy’s star was rising, her personal life was unraveling. Paul Snider, who had helped introduce her to Playboy, had married her in 1979. However, he quickly became possessive and controlling. As Dorothy’s fame grew, Snider felt increasingly left behind. He wasn’t part of her new world, and he knew it. Their relationship became strained and toxic. Dorothy was trying to distance herself, seeking a divorce and a new life with Bogdanovich.

Snider couldn’t let go. His jealousy consumed him. On August 14, 1980, just weeks after Dorothy had separated from him, she agreed to meet him at the house they once shared in West Los Angeles. She went to discuss their divorce and possibly settle financial matters. She never came out. Snider, in a fit of rage, sexually assaulted and murdered Dorothy before turning the gun on himself. She was just 20 years old.

The news of Dorothy Stratten’s murder shocked the nation. The media, which had once celebrated her beauty and rise to fame, now mourned her as a victim of obsession and abuse. Hugh Hefner publicly grieved her death, calling it one of the darkest moments in Playboy’s history. Peter Bogdanovich was devastated and later wrote a book titled The Killing of the Unicorn, in which he criticized the culture that had, in his view, failed to protect her.

Dorothy’s legacy lives on—not only as a tragic figure but also as a cautionary tale about fame, exploitation, and the dangers of unchecked male control. Films, books, and documentaries have been made about her life, including Star 80, a chilling 1983 film directed by Bob Fosse.

What makes Dorothy Stratten’s story so powerful is the contrast between her potential and her fate. She was on the verge of something greater, someone whose beauty was only matched by the promise of her future. But she was taken too soon, her light extinguished by the very person who once claimed to love her.

In the years since her death, Dorothy has become a symbol—a reminder of the perils that often hide beneath glittering surfaces, and the human cost of turning women into objects of obsession rather than individuals with voices and dreams. She was more than a Playmate, more than a rising star. She was a young woman with talent, grace, and heart.And though she never got the chance to fully show the world who she was, those who knew her—and many who only knew of her—have never forgotten.