Public opinion reflects new stance
But Marilyn Monroe, in fact, had never posed for the magazine. The photographs used had been taken four years earlier by Tom Kelley for the John Baumgarth Calendar Company. Playboy publisher Hugh Heffner bought the images and used them without Monroe's consent.
The famous Playboy centerfold spread did little to inhibit Monroe's career, and she became—and remains—one of the most celebrated cultural icons of the 20th century. Marilyn Monroe was found dead aged 36 in her apartment (pictured) on August 14, 1962, the victim of an apparent barbiturate overdose.
One of Hollywood's original blonde bombshells, Jayne Mansfield was a sex symbol of the 1950s and early '60s. But her film career was short-lived.
On June 29, 1967, Mansfield, together with two others, died in an automobile accident outside of Biloxi, Mississippi. Her three children (Miklós, Zoltán, and Mariska), who were asleep on the rear seat, survived with minor injuries. Mariska Hargitay is today known for her lead role in the NBC drama series 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.'
Hailing from Saint Paul in Minnesota, Claudia Jennings was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for November 1969, and also Playmate of the Year for 1970.
Born Mary Eileen Chesterton, Jennings changed her name as her career blossomed. She's pictured in 1967 with actor Michael Cole, best known for his role as Pete Cochran on the television crime drama 'The Mod Squad' (1968–1973).
Jennings followed her modeling career by appearing in a succession of largely forgettable films, becoming known as the "Queen of B Movies." On October 3, 1979, the actress died in an automobile collision on the Pacific Coast Highway near Topanga, California. She was 29.
Dorothy Stratten was just 17 years old when her boyfriend, Paul Snider, submitted a portfolio of professionally taken photographs of her in near-undress to Playboy magazine.
Stratten became a regular Playboy Playmate, and was the Playboy Playmate of the Month for August 1979, and Playmate of the Year in 1980. She also had started to appear in movies. But her success had dreadful consequences.
By now married to Stratten, Snider became enraged when his model wife told him she was leaving him for Hollywood film director Peter Bogdanovich. On August 14, 1980, a jealous Snider shot and killed Stratten before turning the gun on himself.
On February 8, 2007, Smith was found unresponsive at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Her sudden passing aged just 39 was was ruled "an accidental overdose with no other criminal element present" by the Seminole Police Department in Florida.
The body of 28-year-old Playmate Jasmine Fiore was found on August 15, 2009, at the L'Auberge Hotel in Del Mar, San Diego.
Fiore had been murdered, her remains horribly mutilated in an attempt to prevent identification. But the serial numbers of her breast implants eventually revealed the identity of the swimsuit model.
Fiore's husband, Ryan Jenkins, was later charged with his wife's murder. However, before he could be charged, Jenkins took his own life, in a hotel room in Hope, British Columbia, Canada.
Actress, model, and singer Yvette Vickers appeared as Playboy's Playmate of the Month in the July 1959 issue.
Vickers had previously enjoyed moderate success costarring in a number of B movies and TV shows. However, her Playboy centerfold and subsequent appearances in a number of other men's magazines somewhat tarnished her reputation. Her last movie role of note was in 1963's 'Hud' (pictured), starring Paul Newman.
Vickers was last seen alive in 2010. In a macabre turn of events, her mummified body was discovered on April 27, 2011. A forensic report concluded that the former actress and model had likely been dead for at least a year.
Educated to degree level and a successful entrepreneur, Adams was also a published author.
Model Ashley Mattingly was the Playboy Playmate of the Month for March 2011.
Later in her career, Mattingly struggled with substance abuse and alcoholism. Lockdown during the coronavirus crisis was an additional burden.
On April 15, 2020, Mattingly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home in Austin, Texas. She was 33 years old.
Star Stowe, born Ellen Louise Stowe, was Playboy Playmate of the Month for February 1977.
She mixed in celebrity music circles and at one time dated Kiss founder and bassist Gene Simmons.
In later life, Stowe was plagued by alcohol and drug issues. She turned to prostitution to help feed her habits. On March 16, 1997, while plying her trade in Coral Springs, Florida, she disappeared. Her body was later found strangled and partially clothed. Her murder has never been solved.
Former Playboy model Christina Carlin-Kraft was murdered in August 2018.
The 36-year-old was found dead in her Philadelphia apartment, the victim of a brutal and sustained attack.
A suspect, Jonathan Wesley Harris, was later arrested and eventually found guilty of killing Carli-Kraft. He was sentenced to life in prison for first degree murder in May 2019.
Sources: (People) (Page Six) (New York Post) (Biography)
See also: Celebrities who died tragically young
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The tragic deaths of Playmate models
The poignant portfolio of Playboy Playmates who met an early end
LIFESTYLE Tragedy
For some glamour models, recognition as Playboy Playmate of the Month is a dream come true. But the crowning achievement is being made Playmate of the Year. Unfortunately, these accolades have come at the ultimate price for a few hapless women, who, soon after centerfold success, met untimely ends in sad, mysterious, or sometimes violent circumstances. Their demise serves as a poignant reminder that fame for some does indeed come at a price. So, who are those models whose careers were perhaps a page too far?
Click through for a portfolio of Playboy models who met an early end.