It was a whirlwind ride: Within one week I got a call from Playboy Studio West and was on my way to the Mansion. At the end, I would spend almost three years living at the Mansion with my best friend, Miss September 1980 Lisa Welch. We had some pretty exciting adventures, let me tell you!

Anyway, I arrived at the Playboy Mansion and almost immediately met Hef in his photo gallery. I was up there looking at all the hundreds of photos of Hef, the Playmates and the celebrities, when I turned around and literally bumped into him. He was so sweet as he introduced himself. I, on the other hand, was very nervous, but managed to squeak out a hello and introduce myself, as well.

I had a wonderful time living at the Mansion. It was as though I were living at Club Med, with all the food I could eat whenever I wanted it, in this beautiful tropical environment with fabulous swimming pools and hot tubs. What more could a 19-year-old ask for?

Lisa Welch and I met shortly after I arrived at the Mansion and became fast friends. We were a team! The men we dated were usually friends with each other, so we were constantly together and had a lot of fun.

The parties at the Mansion always brought many celebrities, and it was fun to stargaze from time to time. I was never that impressed with any particular star, until I met Clint Eastwood. Although he was much older than I was, he was so sincere and kind, and what a talent! He really made an impression on me.

An outtake from my Playmate pictorial, 1980.
Photo by Mario Casilli

Shot from my first photo session in Vancouver, age 17.

One of my test shots for Playboy, age 20 in 1980.
Photo by Mario Casilli

A   test shot for Playboy, age 34 in 1994.
Photo by Arny Freytag