June Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
June Wilkinson is an English
model and actress, known for her appearances in Playboy
magazine and in films of the 1960s. One of the world's most-photographed women in the late 1950s and early 1960s, at the height of her career she was called "the most photographed nude in America".
, England
. Having started as a stage performer at the age of 12, she went on to become the youngest topless dancer, at the age of 15, at the Windmill Theatre
in London from 1957 to 1958. During a promotional tour in the United States, she was discovered by Hugh Hefner
. Her first appearance in Playboy, in September 1958, was titled "The Bosom". She was a brunette in those days, but in later shoots she was a blonde.
Wilkinson's second Playboy appearance was photographed by Russ Meyer
. Meyer was an independent photographer at the time, and filming his ground-breaking The Immoral Mr. Teas
(1959
). Because she was under contract to Seven Arts at the time, Wilkinson could not officially appear in Meyer's film. However, as an uncredited and unpaid favor to the director, Wilkinson's breasts can be seen through a window in one scene.
Wilkinson appeared in Playboy again in August 1959 in a spread titled "The Bosom in Hollywood." During this period, she appeared with Spike Jones
's band, together with actor Billy Barty
. Recalling this period in her career, Wilkinson later remembered Barty with affection, but commented that Jones, off-stage, had no sense of humor. In 1960, Wilkinson was featured in Playboy four times, in June, July, August, October, and again in November. Her feature in the November issue was titled "The Bosom Revisits Playboy". Wilkinson appeared in the 1960
voodoo film, Macumba Love, which promoted her measurements as "44-20-36". At times reported as up to "45-22-35", in 1963 Wilkinson stated that her measurements were actually "40-22-35".
In 1961 Wilkinson made several stage appearances on the U.S. West coast with performers such as Louis Jordan
in Marriage Go Round, Silvia Sidney in Come Blow Your Horn
and Milton Berle
in Norman, Is That You?
. She had a brief role in John Cassavetes
's 1962
film, Too Late Blues
.
In December 1962, Wilkinson made her last appearance in Playboy, though her photos would continue to appear in the magazine in anniversary and retrospective features. Though she was never an official Playmate
, she was featured in the magazine on seven separate occasions and was one of the magazine's most popular photo subjects. She appeared in more than fifty other men's magazines and newspapers from 1958–1970, making her one of the most well photographed models of the era.
Wilkinson was the star of director Myron Gold's 1963
film, La Rabia or The Rage. Directed in Mexico City
, the film has Wilkinson as a stripper with a gigolo boyfriend. She met Dan Pastorini
, NFL quarterback for the Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders
in 1972, and they were married in 1973. They co-starred in the 1974
film Florida Connection (also known as Weed), for the producer of Rage. The couple divorced in 1982, and Wilkinson never remarried. She has a daughter, Brahna.
In 1997, in her late 50's, June came back for another nude shoot in The Best of Glamour Girls: Then and Now vol. 2 (Winter 1997). In 1999 when Playboy published its list of the "100 Sexiest Stars of the Century," June came in at #30. Currently she hosts "The Directors," a cable show in which she interviews filmmakers. She's also putting together a show about the history of fashion called "Glamour's First 5000 Years."
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
model and actress, known for her appearances in Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
magazine and in films of the 1960s. One of the world's most-photographed women in the late 1950s and early 1960s, at the height of her career she was called "the most photographed nude in America".
Life and career
June Wilkinson was born 27 March 1940 in EastbourneEastbourne
Eastbourne is a large town and borough in East Sussex, on the south coast of England between Brighton and Hastings. The town is situated at the eastern end of the chalk South Downs alongside the high cliff at Beachy Head...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Having started as a stage performer at the age of 12, she went on to become the youngest topless dancer, at the age of 15, at the Windmill Theatre
Windmill Theatre
The Windmill Theatre, later The Windmill International, was a variety and revue theatre in Great Windmill Street, London. The theatre was famous for its nude tableaux vivants...
in London from 1957 to 1958. During a promotional tour in the United States, she was discovered by Hugh Hefner
Hugh Hefner
Hugh Marston "Hef" Hefner is an American magazine publisher, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Playboy Enterprises.-Early life:...
. Her first appearance in Playboy, in September 1958, was titled "The Bosom". She was a brunette in those days, but in later shoots she was a blonde.
Wilkinson's second Playboy appearance was photographed by Russ Meyer
Russ Meyer
Russell Albion "Russ" Meyer was a U.S. motion picture director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, actor and photographer....
. Meyer was an independent photographer at the time, and filming his ground-breaking The Immoral Mr. Teas
The Immoral Mr. Teas
The Immoral Mr. Teas is the first commercially successful film of director Russ Meyer.-Etymology:The name "Teas" is a homophone of the word tease, and one of the meanings of "tease" includes to sexually excite another person by subtle means, usually explicitly avoiding advancement to more...
(1959
1959 in film
The year 1959 in film involved some significant events, with Ben-Hur winning a record 11 Academy Awards.-Events:* The Three Stooges make their 190th and last short film, Sappy Bull Fighters....
). Because she was under contract to Seven Arts at the time, Wilkinson could not officially appear in Meyer's film. However, as an uncredited and unpaid favor to the director, Wilkinson's breasts can be seen through a window in one scene.
Wilkinson appeared in Playboy again in August 1959 in a spread titled "The Bosom in Hollywood." During this period, she appeared with Spike Jones
Spike Jones
Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny and other Warner Brothers cartoon characters, performed a drunken, hiccuping verse for 1942's "Clink! Clink! Another Drink"...
's band, together with actor Billy Barty
Billy Barty
Billy Barty was an American film actor.-Biography:Barty, an Italian American, was born William John Bertanzetti in Millsboro, Pennsylvania...
. Recalling this period in her career, Wilkinson later remembered Barty with affection, but commented that Jones, off-stage, had no sense of humor. In 1960, Wilkinson was featured in Playboy four times, in June, July, August, October, and again in November. Her feature in the November issue was titled "The Bosom Revisits Playboy". Wilkinson appeared in the 1960
1960 in film
The year 1960 in film involved some significant events, with Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho the top-grossing release in the U.S.-Events:* April 20 - for the first time since coming home from military service in Germany, Elvis Presley returns to Hollywood, California to film G.I...
voodoo film, Macumba Love, which promoted her measurements as "44-20-36". At times reported as up to "45-22-35", in 1963 Wilkinson stated that her measurements were actually "40-22-35".
In 1961 Wilkinson made several stage appearances on the U.S. West coast with performers such as Louis Jordan
Louis Jordan
Louis Thomas Jordan was a pioneering American jazz, blues and rhythm & blues musician, songwriter and bandleader who enjoyed his greatest popularity from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Known as "The King of the Jukebox", Jordan was highly popular with both black and white audiences in the...
in Marriage Go Round, Silvia Sidney in Come Blow Your Horn
Come Blow Your Horn
Come Blow Your Horn was Neil Simon's first play, which premiered in the United States in 1961 and had a London production in 1962 at the Prince of Wales Theatre.-Act Summaries:Time: The Present...
and Milton Berle
Milton Berle
Milton Berlinger , better known as Milton Berle, was an American comedian and actor. As the manic host of NBC's Texaco Star Theater , in 1948 he was the first major star of U.S. television and as such became known as Uncle Miltie and Mr...
in Norman, Is That You?
Norman, Is That You?
Norman, Is That You? is a 1970 play in two acts by American playwrights Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick about a Jewish couple coming to terms with their son's homosexuality. The work is notably the first play written by both writers. After 19 preview performances, the play officially opened on Broadway...
. She had a brief role in John Cassavetes
John Cassavetes
John Nicholas Cassavetes was an American actor, screenwriter and filmmaker. He acted in many Hollywood films, notably Rosemary's Baby and The Dirty Dozen...
's 1962
1962 in film
The year 1962 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May - The Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards are officially founded by the Taiwanese government....
film, Too Late Blues
Too Late Blues
Too Late Blues is a 1962 John Cassavetes film that stars Bobby Darin, Stella Stevens, Vince Edwards, Seymour Cassel, and Everette Chambers. It is the story of jazz musician "Ghost" Wakefield , and his relationship between both his fellow band members and his love interest, Jess, a beautiful...
.
In December 1962, Wilkinson made her last appearance in Playboy, though her photos would continue to appear in the magazine in anniversary and retrospective features. Though she was never an official Playmate
Playmate
A Playmate is a female model featured in the centerfold/gatefold of Playboy magazine as Playmate of the Month . The PMOM's pictorial includes nude photographs and a centerfold poster, as well as a short biography and the "Playmate Data Sheet", which lists her birthdate, measurements, turn-ons, and...
, she was featured in the magazine on seven separate occasions and was one of the magazine's most popular photo subjects. She appeared in more than fifty other men's magazines and newspapers from 1958–1970, making her one of the most well photographed models of the era.
Wilkinson was the star of director Myron Gold's 1963
1963 in film
The year 1963 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* June 12 - Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rex Harrison and Richard Burton premieres at the Rivoli Theatre in New York City....
film, La Rabia or The Rage. Directed in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, the film has Wilkinson as a stripper with a gigolo boyfriend. She met Dan Pastorini
Dan Pastorini
Dante "Dan" Anthony Pastorini is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and the Philadelphia Eagles.-NFL career:...
, NFL quarterback for the Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1972, and they were married in 1973. They co-starred in the 1974
1974 in film
The year 1974 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 7 - Blazing Saddles is released in the USA.*August 7 - Peter Wolf, lead singer of The J...
film Florida Connection (also known as Weed), for the producer of Rage. The couple divorced in 1982, and Wilkinson never remarried. She has a daughter, Brahna.
In 1997, in her late 50's, June came back for another nude shoot in The Best of Glamour Girls: Then and Now vol. 2 (Winter 1997). In 1999 when Playboy published its list of the "100 Sexiest Stars of the Century," June came in at #30. Currently she hosts "The Directors," a cable show in which she interviews filmmakers. She's also putting together a show about the history of fashion called "Glamour's First 5000 Years."
Filmography
- The Florida Connection (1974)
- The MackThe MackThe Mack is a 1973 blaxploitation film starring Max Julien and Richard Pryor. Although the movie was produced during the era of such blaxploitation movies as Dolemite, its producers do not label it a true blaxploitation picture...
(1973) (uncredited) - The CandidateThe Candidate (1964 film)The Candidate is a 1964 low-budgeted film that starred the 1950s sex symbol Mamie Van Doren...
(1964) - La Rabia por dentro (1963)
- Who's Got the Action?Who's Got the Action?Who's Got the Action? is a comedy film about a man suffering from an addiction to gambling starring Dean Martin, Lana Turner, Eddie Albert, and Walter Matthau...
(1962) (uncredited) - The Bellboy and the PlaygirlsThe Bellboy and the PlaygirlsThe Bellboy and the Playgirls is an American-German 1962 film by Francis Ford Coppola, Fritz Umgelter, and Jack Hill....
(1962) - The Continental Twist (1961)
- The Private Lives of Adam and EveThe Private Lives of Adam and Eve (film)The Private Lives of Adam and Eve is a 1960 comedy film starring Mickey Rooney, who also co-directed and Mamie Van Doren. It is a U.S. B-movie in which the plot revolves around a modern couple who dream that they are Adam and Eve. Others of their acquaintance assume the roles of various characters...
(1961) - Too Late BluesToo Late BluesToo Late Blues is a 1962 John Cassavetes film that stars Bobby Darin, Stella Stevens, Vince Edwards, Seymour Cassel, and Everette Chambers. It is the story of jazz musician "Ghost" Wakefield , and his relationship between both his fellow band members and his love interest, Jess, a beautiful...
(1961) - Macumba Love (1960)
- Career Girl (1959)
- The Immoral Mr. TeasThe Immoral Mr. TeasThe Immoral Mr. Teas is the first commercially successful film of director Russ Meyer.-Etymology:The name "Teas" is a homophone of the word tease, and one of the meanings of "tease" includes to sexually excite another person by subtle means, usually explicitly avoiding advancement to more...
(1959) (uncredited) - Thunder in the SunThunder in the SunThunder in the Sun is a 1959 western film made by Carrollton Inc and Seven Arts Productions and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Russell Rouse and produced by Clarence Greene from a screenplay by Russell Rouse and...
(1959) - Just for YouJust for You (film)Just for You is a 1952 film directed by Elliott Nugent. It stars Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman. It was nominated for two Academy Awards in 1953.-Cast:*Bing Crosby as Jordan Blake*Jane Wyman as Carolina Hill*Ethel Barrymore as Alida De Bronkhart...
(1952) - Frankensteins Great Aunt Tillie (1983)