Remembering Dorothy Stratten: A Cautionary Tale of Manipulation and Tragedy
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Gina Gershon recounts a chilling encounter with Paul Snider, the man who later murdered his wife, Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten, before taking his own life. In her new memoir, "AlphaPussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs," Gershon reflects on her Hollywood journey and the unsettling interaction with Snider.
During a night out in 1980 at a Los Angeles nightclub with Jodie Foster, Gershon was approached by Snider, who suggested she pose for Playboy. Despite his persistence, Gershon declined, recognizing his sleazy demeanor and rejecting the offer.
Three weeks later, Gershon learned of Snider's heinous act in the news, where he had murdered Stratten and then committed suicide. The tragic incident was later depicted in the film "Star 80," a story Gershon was relieved not to be a part of.
Snider's manipulation and abuse of Stratten, whom he scouted as a teenager and later married, led to a tragic end. Stratten's rise to fame as a Playboy Playmate was overshadowed by Snider's jealousy and control, ultimately resulting in her untimely death.
The toxic relationship between Snider and Stratten unraveled as she found love with filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich. Snider's inability to accept her leaving him led to a violent confrontation that ended both their lives.
Bogdanovich, who later married Stratten's sister, Louise, never forgot the love he shared with Dorothy. His book, "The Killing of the Unicorn," criticized the Playboy empire's role in the events leading to Stratten's death.
Despite the tragic outcome, the memory of Dorothy Stratten lives on, as her story continues to be a cautionary tale of manipulation, abuse, and the devastating consequences of toxic relationships.