Emmys, shmemmys. For more than half a century, our culture's truest measure of appeal for female actresses is whether Playboy comes knocking. Let's face it, most men love seeing photos of beautiful women in their birthday suits, and many women love scrutinizing them. What follows are some of our favorite examples of the small screen's biggest stars who have appeared in the magazine.
Jenny McCarthy
Pamela Anderson ("Home Improvement," "Baywatch," "V.I.P.")
Nobody could better begin this gallery than the biggest sex symbol of her generation. Pamela began as a Playboy model, using her 1989 cover exposure to land "Home Improvement" in 1991 (as the "Tool Time" girl), then "Baywatch" in 1993. Household-name status came with her taboo-busting '90s sex tapes, which also helped launch reality TV careers for their waning co-stars, Tommy Lee and Bret Michaels. Pammy has appeared on Playboy's cover a record 12 times, most recently in January 2007. Nothing, absolutely nothing, has diminished her sex appeal -- not aging, being diagnosed with hepatitis C or removing her breast implants.
Nobody could better begin this gallery than the biggest sex symbol of her generation. Pamela began as a Playboy model, using her 1989 cover exposure to land "Home Improvement" in 1991 (as the "Tool Time" girl), then "Baywatch" in 1993. Household-name status came with her taboo-busting '90s sex tapes, which also helped launch reality TV careers for their waning co-stars, Tommy Lee and Bret Michaels. Pammy has appeared on Playboy's cover a record 12 times, most recently in January 2007. Nothing, absolutely nothing, has diminished her sex appeal -- not aging, being diagnosed with hepatitis C or removing her breast implants.
Anna Nicole Smith ("The Anna Nicole Show")
This curvy one-time Guess model was Playboy's 1993 Playmate of the Year. And though she may not have made a name for herself on the boob tube, "The Anna Nicole Show" made her the full-blown media sensation she would remain. E!'s reality show was also where we met most of the tragic characters forever entangled in her story: her son, Daniel, and attorney Howard K. Stern, who was recently arrested for furnishing drugs to Smith before her death.
This curvy one-time Guess model was Playboy's 1993 Playmate of the Year. And though she may not have made a name for herself on the boob tube, "The Anna Nicole Show" made her the full-blown media sensation she would remain. E!'s reality show was also where we met most of the tragic characters forever entangled in her story: her son, Daniel, and attorney Howard K. Stern, who was recently arrested for furnishing drugs to Smith before her death.
Shannen Doherty ("Beverly Hills, 90210," "Charmed")
The famously uncharming bad girl twice appeared on the cover of Playboy. Coincidentally, that is the same number of times she's been divorced -- and in the same years she appeared on the covers (1994 and 2003). Hmmm.
The famously uncharming bad girl twice appeared on the cover of Playboy. Coincidentally, that is the same number of times she's been divorced -- and in the same years she appeared on the covers (1994 and 2003). Hmmm.
Jaime Pressly ("My Name Is Earl")
She plays Joy on "My Name Is Earl" and no doubt brought joy to the millions of magazine readers who enjoyed her photos in the March 1998 issue. She appeared again in February 2004, where she also graced the cover under the headline, "Her clothing has left the building." (This was presumably in homage to Elvis Presley, to whom she isn't related.)
She plays Joy on "My Name Is Earl" and no doubt brought joy to the millions of magazine readers who enjoyed her photos in the March 1998 issue. She appeared again in February 2004, where she also graced the cover under the headline, "Her clothing has left the building." (This was presumably in homage to Elvis Presley, to whom she isn't related.)
Carmen Electra ("Baywatch," "'Til Death Do Us Part")
Carmen electrified Playboy readers in May 1996, June 1997, June 1998, December 2000, April 2003 and January 2009. And yes, in case you were wondering, they're real. Real expensive, that is.
Carmen electrified Playboy readers in May 1996, June 1997, June 1998, December 2000, April 2003 and January 2009. And yes, in case you were wondering, they're real. Real expensive, that is.
Suzanne Somers ("Three's Company," "Step by Step")
The hottest 62-year-old ever to walk the planet didn't look so shabby at 37, either. Somers posed for the December 1984 issue, long after she was fired as Chrissy on "Three's Company." Nude Playmate test photos of Somers appeared in February 1980, but they were taken years before her TV success. And no, Janet was never asked to pose.
The hottest 62-year-old ever to walk the planet didn't look so shabby at 37, either. Somers posed for the December 1984 issue, long after she was fired as Chrissy on "Three's Company." Nude Playmate test photos of Somers appeared in February 1980, but they were taken years before her TV success. And no, Janet was never asked to pose.
Jenny McCarthy ("Singled Out")
Playboy singled her out as Miss October 1993 (and subsequently Playmate of the Year in 1994). But MTV made her a household name. On "Singled Out," McCarthy proved that hot bombshells can also be smart and funny (or at least proved that one particularhot bombshell can also be smart and funny).
Playboy singled her out as Miss October 1993 (and subsequently Playmate of the Year in 1994). But MTV made her a household name. On "Singled Out," McCarthy proved that hot bombshells can also be smart and funny (or at least proved that one particularhot bombshell can also be smart and funny).
Charisma Carpenter ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer")
It was men and not vampires who were slain in June 2004 by the actress who played Cordelia Chase on "Buffy." She did the 10-page semi-nude layout to motivate her to lose the 50 pounds she'd gained while pregnant.
It was men and not vampires who were slain in June 2004 by the actress who played Cordelia Chase on "Buffy." She did the 10-page semi-nude layout to motivate her to lose the 50 pounds she'd gained while pregnant.
Tricia Helfer ("Battlestar Galactica")
She played Number Six in "Battlestar Galactica," but ranked No. 1 with Playboy readers for appearing topless in the February 2007 issue.
She played Number Six in "Battlestar Galactica," but ranked No. 1 with Playboy readers for appearing topless in the February 2007 issue.
Shanna Moakler ("Pacific Blue," "Meet the Barkers")
You may know Shanna Moakler from her two seasons on the USA Network's "Pacific Blue," or from "Meet the Barkers," MTV's 2005 reality show about life with her then-husband, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. More likely, you know her from the tabloids. Moakler, it seems, has difficulty ending a relationship well and without some type of legal intervention. In 2000, she sued former fiancé Oscar de la Hoya for $62.5 million in a 2000 palimony suit. Six years later, Barker's subsequent choice of girlfriend led to a dustup between Moakler and Paris Hilton at a Los Angeles nightclub that resulted in both parties filing battery complaints with the LAPD. Or you could just know Moakler as Playboy's Miss December 2001
You may know Shanna Moakler from her two seasons on the USA Network's "Pacific Blue," or from "Meet the Barkers," MTV's 2005 reality show about life with her then-husband, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. More likely, you know her from the tabloids. Moakler, it seems, has difficulty ending a relationship well and without some type of legal intervention. In 2000, she sued former fiancé Oscar de la Hoya for $62.5 million in a 2000 palimony suit. Six years later, Barker's subsequent choice of girlfriend led to a dustup between Moakler and Paris Hilton at a Los Angeles nightclub that resulted in both parties filing battery complaints with the LAPD. Or you could just know Moakler as Playboy's Miss December 2001
Lisa Rinna ("Melrose Place," "Days of Our Lives," "Dancing With the Stars")
In September 1998, Lisa Rinna, famous for her pregnant lips, appeared in a nude Playboy pictorial. This created quite a controversy because she happened to be six months pregnant at the time.
In September 1998, Lisa Rinna, famous for her pregnant lips, appeared in a nude Playboy pictorial. This created quite a controversy because she happened to be six months pregnant at the time.
Brooke Burke ("Wild On!," "Dancing With the Stars")
She danced her way to slightly increased stardom by winning Season 7 of "Dancing With the Stars," but this 37-year-old former Frederick's of Hollywood model remains better known for her body than her body of work. Playboy featured it in May 2001 and November 2004.
She danced her way to slightly increased stardom by winning Season 7 of "Dancing With the Stars," but this 37-year-old former Frederick's of Hollywood model remains better known for her body than her body of work. Playboy featured it in May 2001 and November 2004.
Linda Evans ("Dynasty")
Linda Evans was already a full-time actress the first time she donned proverbial bunny ears (in 1971) and a full-fledged star the second time (in 1982, around her 40th birthday).
Linda Evans was already a full-time actress the first time she donned proverbial bunny ears (in 1971) and a full-fledged star the second time (in 1982, around her 40th birthday).
Joan Collins ("Dynasty")
Apparently, the intense rivalry between Linda Evans' Krystle and Collins' Alexis Carrington extended to real life. In a 12-page layout shot when she was 49, Collins proved that her entire body remained as young and beautiful as her face (or she proved that airbrushing had become undetectable by December 1983).
Apparently, the intense rivalry between Linda Evans' Krystle and Collins' Alexis Carrington extended to real life. In a 12-page layout shot when she was 49, Collins proved that her entire body remained as young and beautiful as her face (or she proved that airbrushing had become undetectable by December 1983).
Kim Kardashian ("Keeping Up With the Kardashians")
Kim Kardashian is famous for the Andy Warhol-confirming trifecta of being a celebrity offspring (her dad was O.J. Simpson's defense attorney, Robert Kardashian), making a sex tape and having a big butt. Kim posed for the December 2007 issue, in a two-page spread that featured one butt cheek each (just kidding).
Kim Kardashian is famous for the Andy Warhol-confirming trifecta of being a celebrity offspring (her dad was O.J. Simpson's defense attorney, Robert Kardashian), making a sex tape and having a big butt. Kim posed for the December 2007 issue, in a two-page spread that featured one butt cheek each (just kidding).
Jolene Blalock ("Star Trek: Enterprise")
Phasers were set to stunning in April 2002, when the second-hottest babe in "Star Trek" history (after Jeri Ryan from "Star Trek: Voyager" of course) appeared in Playboy. Unfortunately for male fans of Sub-Commander T'Pol, it was a clothed fashion layout. Still, it was much hotter than the ratings and reviews ever were for "Enterprise."
Phasers were set to stunning in April 2002, when the second-hottest babe in "Star Trek" history (after Jeri Ryan from "Star Trek: Voyager" of course) appeared in Playboy. Unfortunately for male fans of Sub-Commander T'Pol, it was a clothed fashion layout. Still, it was much hotter than the ratings and reviews ever were for "Enterprise."
Jenna Morasca and Heidi Strobel ("Survivor: The Amazon")
During an endurance challenge on Season 6 of "Survivor," these babes shed both inhibitions and clothing in exchange for peanut butter and cookies. They received considerably more remuneration for the nude pictorial and Playboy cover they graced in August 2003.
During an endurance challenge on Season 6 of "Survivor," these babes shed both inhibitions and clothing in exchange for peanut butter and cookies. They received considerably more remuneration for the nude pictorial and Playboy cover they graced in August 2003.
Traci Bingham (pictured), Donna D'Errico, Yasmine Bleeth, Gena Lee Nolin, Erika Eleniak ("Baywatch")
Along with Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra, all these actresses appeared in Playboy's "Babes of Baywatch" issue in June 1998. Eleniak was also Miss July 1989.
Along with Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra, all these actresses appeared in Playboy's "Babes of Baywatch" issue in June 1998. Eleniak was also Miss July 1989.
Tracy Binghman
Donna D'Errico
Yasmine Bleeth
Gena Lee Nolin
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