Billie Walter

In 1966, I was sixteen years old.  At school we were all asked to fill out a form stating what we thought we might like to do after we graduated from high school.  We were allowed three answers.   While most of the men said they would like to be doctors or accountants, most of the women said they wanted to be nurses or teachers.  One of my answers was, “I want to be a Playboy Bunny.”

In 1973, I was a single twenty-three year old, living in New York City.  At the time I was working as a secretary for a major record company, Atlantic Records.   As much as I loved the job, it was difficult to take time off to go on auditions.  I was landing some jobs as a model and I even had a few auditions as an actress.    When I mentioned this to a few of my friends, one suggested that I try to get a job as a Bunny at the Playboy Club.  I could work nights and be available for auditions during the day.  This comment was really meant as a joke since I am small breasted and the likelihood of me getting hired was minimal.

Not being one to back down from a dare or a challenge, I decided that I would go and see if I could actually get a job as a Playboy Bunny.  Of course, I wasn’t about to tell anyone.  I figured that if I didn’t get the job, no one would know, so what did I have to lose.  I called the club to find out the specifics of the interviews.  I just had to show up between 2 PM and 4 PM, fill out an application and be interviewed.  Sounded easy.

When I got there I entered the room, gave someone my name and got an application to fill out.  There were at least fifteen other girls waiting ahead of me to be seen.  It felt more like an acting audition.  They were all attractive and most were well endowed.  As each one of the girls came out of their interview, they would tell their friends that the club wasn’t hiring right now but were going to keep their names on file.  I really felt like I was wasting my time but since I was already there,  I decided to wait.

It was finally my turn.  I went in and was introduced to Jadee, the Bunny Mother.  We chatted for awhile and then she told me that she was sending me to wardrobe to have me try on a Bunny costume.  “What!  I thought you weren’t hiring?” I said.  “That’s what we tell the girls who are not Bunny material.” she replied.  “But what about my small breasts?” I asked.  Nothing like pointing out ones flaws at an interview.  She told me that a Bunny needed to have a pretty face, nice skin, hair and teeth and a good butt and legs, the rest could be enhanced.

I was then sent to wardrobe and put into a Bunny costume.   Amazing what one of those costumes can do for a body.  I was then taken upstairs where I met the General Manager, who had the final say.   He congratulated me and welcomed me to the world of Playboy.

After two weeks of training. I was officially working as a Playboy Bunny.  I worked at the New York Club for about a year.  During my time at the Playboy Club, costumes were required to be left at the club and pictures were not allowed to be taken except by Playboy.  They did approach me and ask me if I was interested in doing a layout for the magazine.  My manager and agents assured me that if I were to do that, that my career as an actress would be seriously damaged. (My, how things have changed.)  I turned them down.  Unfortunately, the only physical proof that I have that I ever worked there are some pay stubs and a letter written to management complimenting me on the terrific job that I was doing.  That’s okay.  I still have the memories.