PLAYBOY Centerfolds from the 1970's

After the legendary start of Playboy magazine in the 1950's, the publication continued to build on its reputation through the 60's with the help of some talented women posing for the centerfold sections. The 1970's saw not only the full frontal nudity wars between men's magazines, but also another slew of women from all different backgrounds and heading towards different paths in life disrobing for Playboy. Here is a tribute to some of the more famous women of the 70's and some facts of fame and tragedy.

Willy Rey: She was born with the name Wilhelmina Rietveld in Holland and became the Playboy Playmate centerfold model in February of 1971. Rey died in Canada from an overdose of barbiturates on August 13th of 1973 leaving not only her pictorial as a legacy, but also the fact that her nude likeness adorned the stock certificate of Playboy Enterprises at the time of its first initial offering.

Janice Pennington: Janice was the centerfold for May of 1971 and is most recognizable for having been one of "Barker's Beauties" from the television gameshow: The Price Is Right. Her first husband became the source of a book she co-authored, when he disappeared mountain climbing and it was later discovered he wasn't just an adventurer, but a CIA agent who died fighting with the Afghans against the USSR. In 1988 Janice was knocked off stage by a camera while filming The Price Is Right and she successfully sued the show for $1.2 Million. In the year 2000 Janice was released from modeling duties on the show because the producers wished to go with younger models, however she was soon fired completely after being subpoenaed to give testimony in another lawsuit against the show. Janice and her husband also founded the Hollywood Film Festival.

Lenna

Credit: Dwight Hooker

Copyright: Playboy