Not content with just one career, the Playboy model, Barbi Benton has established herself as a model, actress and singer since becoming famous as one of the girlfriend’s of the Playboy himself, Hugh Hefner.

Barbie Benton made several appearances on the covers of the famous men’s magazine since traveling to Los Angeles at the tender age of 16 to try her hand at a modeling career.

It was at this time that Barbi met Hefner while attending a television show as a piece of eye candy for the show Playboy After Dark which filmed A-list entertainers performing in Hugh Hefner’s mansion surrounded by Playboy Playmates. Benton said she pretended to be Hefner’s girlfriend for a couple of episodes and soon found herself living the role in real life. From then on Barbi’s life was pretty well mapped out for her to become a glamour icon of 1970s.

Speaking about the beginning of her relationship with Hef Barbi recalled, “When he asked me out, I was 18 and he was 42. I said I’d never gone out with anyone older than 24, and he said, ‘That’s all right. Neither have I.’ We hit it off right away, and it lasted for eight years!” Benton was Hefner’s girlfriend and lived with him from 1969-1976.

Barbi later became a recording star, a Las Vegas headliner and a movie actress, with roles in movies including Deathstalker, The Naughty Cheerleader and Hospital Massacre. Although none of the films were particular box office successes, they enjoy a cult status among fans of B-movies.

Apart from her role as Hef’s girlfriend and Playboy model, Barbi is also known for her years as a regular on the country music series Hee Haw where she appeared as a scantily clad country cutie trading gags and appearing in comic skits with other regulars.

Barbi’s 1975 record, “Brass Buckles,” was a top five hit on Billboard’s country singles chart. She has also recorded eight albums, the last of which she personally produced in 1979. She also composed the songs, sang them and played piano. One of her better known songs was “Ain’t That Just the Way” in 1976.

Barbi Benton now works as an interior decorator and is married to George Gradow, a successful real estate developer. The couple have two children, Alexander Benton Gradow, born on August 23, 1986 and a daughter, Ariana who was born 1988.

The family now split their time between their homes in Aspen, Colorado and Los Angeles.