Louise Stratten has had a life shaped by a personal tragedy and the glitz of Hollywood. At a young age, she was forced to confront the harsh realities of fame and loss after the death of her older sister, Dorothy, an up-and-coming Playboy model and actress.
How did these experiences make her into the woman she is today? Find the answer here.
Who Is Louise Stratten?
Born in Vancouver, Canada, in 1968, Louise Stratten is the younger sister of the late Dorothy Stratten, a Playboy Playmate whose tragic death rocked Hollywood in 1980.
Dorothy was murdered by her estranged husband, Paul Snider, at the age of 20. She was leaving him for Peter Bogdanovich, whom she fell in love with while shooting the rom-com “They All Laughed” where Peter was the director.
After Dorothy’s death, Peter took Louise and her mom, Nelly, to live with him in his Bel Air home. She was only 13 at the time.
In 1988, Louise, then 20, the age Dorothy was when she died, married the filmmaker, who was already pushing 50. Their marriage lasted 13 years, and while they eventually divorced in 2001, they lived together until his final days in his home in Toluca Lake. Louise was looking to publish Peter’s memoirs.
In 2024, she released episodes of a podcast series called “One Handshake Away,” which her late husband had started. The podcast features several filmmakers, including Guillermo del Toro and Quentin Tarantino, discussing interviews Peter conducted with classic Hollywood directors.
Hollywood Career
Louise Stratten broke into Hollywood with Peter’s help. She collaborated with the filmmaker on various projects and took on roles as an actor, producer, and writer.
Her film credits include:
- It Chapter Two (2019)
- One Day Since Yesterday: Peter Bogdanovich & the Lost American Film (2014)
- Django Unchained (2012)
- Festival in Cannes (2001)
- Noises Off… (1992)
- Illegally Yours (1988)
Louise also worked behind the scenes as a producer for a few Peter Bogdanovich movies:
- Noises Off… (1992)
- She’s Funny That Way (2015)
- The Great Buster: A Celebration (2018)
She also co-wrote the screenplay for “She’s Funny That Way” with Peter.
Louise Stratten’s Advocacies
Louise Stratten created the Dorothy Stratten Foundation to honor her sister’s memory and help survivors of domestic abuse.
She’s also been vocal about gun control. She feels strongly that there should be stricter regulations, especially after discovering how easily Paul Snider, a Canadian who was in the US illegally, managed to buy the shotgun that took Dorothy’s life.
Why Did Louise Stratten, Sue Hugh Hefner?
With her mother, Louise sued Hugh Hefner for libel and slander over his remarks about them.
The Playboy magazine publisher alleged that Peter had an affair with both the teenage Louise and her mom. He also suggested that she underwent jaw surgery to resemble her deceased sister, essentially becoming her replacement for Peter.
However, Louise eventually dropped the lawsuit because of the immense pressure it caused her.
Final Thoughts
Four decades later, Louise Stratten still grapples with the painful reminder of her sister’s heartbreaking story, most recently through Hulu’s mini-series “Welcome to Chippendales.”
Yet, she perseveres, dedicating her work to deeply personal causes, as she believes no one should suffer the same fate as Dorothy.
