Dolly Martin (born Dolly Read on 13 September 1944 in Bristol, England) is an English pinup model and actress. She is best remembered for her appearance in Playboy magazine and as the lead character in Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. She is sometimes credited as Margaret Read, Dolly Read Martin, or Dolly Martin.
Career
Read’s first onscreen appearance was in the 1963 film The Kiss of the Vampire, followed by a role in the British series Dixon of Dock Green later that year. In May 1966, she was Playboy magazine’s Playmate of the Month, becoming the first British Playmate in the magazine’s history. She posed for the magazine again in 1970. Read also worked as a Bunny at the Playboy Clubs in Chicago, London, and New York City.
After appearing in the low-budget erotic film That Tender Touch in 1969, she landed the lead role of the sexy but naive rock and roll singer Kelly McNamara in Russ Meyer’s comedy pastiche Beyond the Valley of the Dolls the following year.
Throughout the 1970s, Read appeared on television with guest starring in shows such as Charlie’s Angels, Fantasy Island, and Vega$. She was also a frequent panellist on the game show Match Game, along with her husband.
In 2006, Read and other cast members provided commentary and were interviewed for the release of the special edition DVD release of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
