Celebrating The Career Of Barbi Benton!
There are some iconic Actresses who everyone seems to know – even if they don’t know much about them!
That’s the case for me and Barbi Benton, who it turns out is a close friend with one of my neighbors!
My “2021 Sex Kitten Countdown” has her fascinating story!
Barbi Benton was born on January 28, 1950 in New York City as Barbara Lynn Klein. After growing up in the Big Apple, Hollywood called.
Barbi moved to Los Angeles when she was 16 and began modeling…but her life changed dramatically when she met Hugh Hefner in 1968, when she was 18 years old. The Playboy founder was 42.
Benton made her TV debut on the syndicated show, “Playboy After Dark” in 1969, as Hefner’s Co-Host!
Despite being involved with Hefner for several years, Barbi never was a Playmate of the Month.
But that’s not to say she didn’t grace the cover of the magazine many times!
Barbi was more than just an Actress and Model – she recorded and released four albums for Playboy Records in the 1970’s. One is a collection of her greatest hits performed live in Japan!
Barbi had more than twenty acting credits, mostly in television shows in the late 70’s and 80’s, including such mainstream hits as “The Love Boat” and “Fantasy Island.”
She starred in the 1981 thriller “X-Ray”, which was also known as “Hospital Massacre.”
Of course, since it was a medical thriller, she had to undergo a thorough checkup:
She also starred in the sword and sorcery epic “Deathstalker” in 1983:
The warrior Deathstalker is sent by a witch on a quest to find a chalice, an amulet, and a sword, two of which are held by the wicked sorcerer Munkar. Benton played the Princess Codille.
Check out the trailer:
Benton stepped away from the entertainment business and raised a family, and I read that she was a successful Interior Designer.
Bravo to Barbi for a great career!
Benton was one of many Playboy Models who ended up doing a lot of television work in the 80’s…remember Angela Aames?
Angela had TV credits on “Cheers” and more – but she had a tragic end…you can read her story here:
Of course, the most tragic story of all involved Dorothy Stratten, who was one of Playboy’s most famous Playmates:
She was murdered by her estranged Husband just as her film career was taking off…such a sad story, but I celebrated her life and career and you can see it here:
If you like these stories, and don’t want to miss any of my “2021 Sex Kitten Countdown” as well, then go to my website’s front page and sign on to follow me – there are NO ads at all, just lots of stories to come about the wild world of exploitation and cult films!
Click here and see the “follow” button on the upper right!
If you want to see more of my stories, make sure to subscribe for more of my “2021 Sex Kitten Countdown”!
Categories: 70's Films, Books / Media, Cult Classics, JRsploitation, Nudity, sex kittens, Talent / Celebrites
JR-Sploitation! 
I can understand the financial benefits of being Hefner’s girlfriend, but he was SO creepy! Yuk! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The nadir was his “Girls Next Door” series that suggested, as an 80 year old man, he had FOUR 20-year old girlfriends…pathetic
LikeLiked by 1 person
Barbi was the one Hee Haw honey i would have gladly spent an entire day and night in a Cornfield County barn with!
LikeLike