Dorothy Ruth Hoogstratten, later known as Dorothy Stratten, was born on February 28, 1960, in Vancouver, Canada. Raised in a struggling family in Coquitlam, she was a bright, kind student who excelled academically despite financial hardships. With dreams of a better life, she hoped to leave poverty behind and build a successful career. Dorothy had an older brother, John Arthur, and a younger sister, Louise. Though her early years were modest, they motivated her to succeed.
During high school, Dorothy worked at a Dairy Queen where she caught the eye of Paul Snider, a nightclub promoter with a questionable reputation. Recognizing her beauty, Snider encouraged Dorothy to pursue modeling and arranged for provocative photos to be taken of her. Without her mother’s consent, he forged documents to submit her pictures to Playboy, eventually convincing her to move to Los Angeles.
By August 1978, Dorothy’s modeling career took off, and within a year, she was named “Playmate of the Month” in Playboy magazine. In 1980, she became “Playmate of the Year,” which led to acting opportunities. Encouraged by Playboy’s Hugh Hefner, she appeared in TV shows and films, including Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and Skatetown, U.S.A..
Despite her professional success, Dorothy’s personal life became increasingly troubled. She married Paul Snider in 1979, but their marriage was toxic. As her career thrived, Snider grew jealous and resentful, acting out with erratic behavior. Meanwhile, Dorothy found a new, healthier connection with director Peter Bogdanovich on the set of They All Laughed. He treated her with respect and kindness, which she had longed for in her marriage. In June 1980, Dorothy decided to divorce Snider, but he refused to let go, becoming more possessive and dangerous.
On August 14, 1980, Snider lured Dorothy to his home under the pretense of signing divorce papers. Tragically, the meeting ended in violence when Snider murdered Dorothy before taking his own life. Reports suggest he acted in a fit of rage, though some claim he assaulted her before killing her. The scene left everyone who knew her in shock. Hugh Hefner described Snider as a man who couldn’t accept Dorothy’s independence, and her untimely death deeply impacted those close to her, especially Bogdanovich, who believed in her potential and kindness.
