The murder of 1980’s Playmate of the Year Dorothy Stratten has become Internet fodder over the years.  Killed because of a love triangle involving her husband Paul Snider and film director Peter Bogdanovich, people forget this was a crime that could have been prevented.

On August 14, 1980, Dorothy met her husband alone in their home to discuss their divorce.  Snider was preparing a lawsuit against Bogdanovich for “alienation of affections.”  Playboy’s founder Hugh Hefner had barred Snider from his mansion, unless accompanied by his wife.   Bogdanovich was busy preparing to make Dorothy a star in “They All Laughed” (1981) and subsequent ventures.

Previously, Paul Snider, acting as Dorothy’s manager, had her cast in “Galaxina” (1980), a sci-fi spoof.  He prepared a poster of her for mass-production that was turned down by Dorothy at the insistence of Bogdanovich.

Whatever happened from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. nobody knows for sure.  Dorothy’s lawyer (hired by Bogdanovich) offered a $7,500 divorce settlement to Snider – chickenfeed for someone who wanted half her income, his own house and a Green Card.

Snider knew it was over and with nothing left to lose, he went berserk, raped her, killed her and then killed himself.

Months earlier, Stratten had offered to go back to Vancouver with Paul… to give up show-biz and settle down.  But, he refused, wanting that big, brass ring.

Snider was warned by friend actor Max Baer, Jr. to get her out of the business of being famous.  No one gets out unscathed.  Stratten had told Baer that she didn’t want any of it – it was all Paul’s idea.  Later, when it was too late, Snider told Baer he was losing her.  What could he say?  “I warned you.”

Bogdanovich blamed Hefner for rejecting Snider.  But, why didn’t Bogdanovich go to Paul and tell him about the break-up?

CLAIM OF OWNERSHIP

Three men were in control of Dorothy’s life.

Paul Snider with Dorothy

Snider wanted to manage her career:  movies, TV, modeling, posters, etc.

Hugh Hefner with Dorothy

Hefner made Stratten his “Playmate of the Year”.

Peter Bogdanovich with Dorothy

Bogdanovich wanted her to star in his films.  They were already living together.

Didn’t Dorothy Stratten have her own life?  What did she want to do?  In her spare time, she wrote poetry and was an avid reader.  Fame and the limelight were other people’s notions.

AFTERWARD

Peter Bogdanovich married Dorothy’s sister Louise in 1988.  They were divorced in 2001.  Since then, Bogdanovich’s only successes were “Mask” (1985) and a role in “The Sopranos”.   He died in 2022 from Parkinson’s Disease.

Hugh Hefner continued Playboy until his death in 2017.  The mansion was sold and the magazine ceased publication in 2020.

Final issue of Playboy

Text © 2025 – EricReports