Barbi Benton, whose real name is Barbara Lynn Klein, is an American actress, model, and singer who became famous in the 1960s and 1970s.
Benton had a big effect on the entertainment business during her peak. She was known for her stunning beauty and varied career.
She was interested in modelling and the arts from a young age.
She started modelling when she was just 16 years old, and it soon took off because of her beautiful looks and charm.
Her time as a model helped her get into the entertainment business.
Benton got a job with Playboy after high school and went to UCLA. At 18, he appeared on the Playboy After Dark show.
At first, she was just an extra on the show, but as presenter Hugh Hefner fell in love with Benton, she swiftly became the co-host. Hefner asked the young co-ed out on a date after they had filmed two episodes.
When asked, she is said to have told the then-42-year-old Hefner, “I don’t know, I’ve never dated anyone older than 24.” Hefner said, “That’s okay, I haven’t either.”
They started dating, and their relationship lasted for several years. Benton became the centre of the Playboy business.
Hefner talked her into changing her name from Barbara Klein to Barbi Benton, which sounded better for business.
Benton, who was first known as Barbi Klein, was on the cover of Playboy four times: in July 1969, March 1970, May 1972, and December 1985. She was included featured nude photo shoots in the December 1973 and January 1975 issues.
Even though she was in a lot of photo-essays, she was never named Playmate of the Month.
She got a part on the TV show Hee Haw doing short comedic sketches. She also danced on some of the last episodes of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In and then went on to have a successful career as a country singer.
Barbi Benton worked as a model and on TV, but she also wanted to be a musician. She put out a number of albums in the 1970s, such as “Barbi Doll” and “Ain’t That Just the Way.”
In 1979, Baribi married real estate entrepreneur George Gradow, with whom she had two kids.
Benton’s choice to leave the entertainment business to spend more time with her family was a big change in her life.
Benton kept a modest profile in her final years, putting her family life ahead of her job in the spotlight.
(Photo credit: Pinterest / Wikimedia Commons).
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