15 Secrets Of The Playboy Bunny: The 2025 Revival, Billionaire Careers, And The Infamous ‘Bunny Dip’

The iconic Playboy Bunny is back in the spotlight in late 2025, proving the enduring, complex legacy of Hugh Hefner’s empire is far from over. While the image of the Bunny costume—a satin corset, bow tie, cuffs, and cotton tail—is instantly recognizable, the reality of the role, its history, and the powerful careers it launched are often misunderstood. Today, the brand is undergoing a significant transformation, blending its vintage allure with a new era of empowerment, even as shocking new details from former Bunnies continue to emerge.

This deep dive explores the surprisingly strict training, the major celebrity careers that began in the Playboy Clubs, and the fresh, current updates for December 2025 that signal a major cultural re-entry for the world’s most famous rabbit logo. From WNBA stars to media moguls, the Bunny legacy continues to evolve and shock.

The A-List: 18 Famous Playboy Bunnies and Their Post-Mansion Careers

The role of a Playboy Bunny or Playmate often served as a powerful launchpad, propelling women into major careers in Hollywood, business, and media. The following entities represent some of the most successful and recognizable figures who started their journey with the brand, demonstrating the significant topical authority this position once held:

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• Pamela Anderson: Arguably the most famous Playmate, Anderson holds the record for the most Playboy covers. Her career spanned from Baywatch to activism, cementing her status as a global icon and a symbol of the brand.
• Jenny McCarthy: A former Playmate of the Month, McCarthy successfully transitioned into a long-running career as an actress, television host, and media personality, including a prominent role on The View.
• Holly Madison: One of Hugh Hefner’s most high-profile girlfriends and a former Bunny, Madison became a reality TV star on The Girls Next Door. She has since become a best-selling author, releasing shocking memoirs that continue to make headlines in late 2025.
• Kendra Wilkinson: Another star of The Girls Next Door, Wilkinson parlayed her Mansion residency into her own reality show, Kendra, and a long-term career in television and real estate.
• Bridget Marquardt: The third star of the famous trio, Marquardt established herself as a TV host and paranormal investigator after her time at the Mansion.
• Diane Hendricks: A remarkable success story, Hendricks once worked as a Playboy Bunny to make ends meet and is now the co-founder of ABC Supply and one of the wealthiest self-made women in America.
• Susan Sullivan: A former Bunny who used her earnings to attend college, Sullivan went on to have a decades-long career as a prominent actress in TV shows like Castle.
• Dorothy Stratten: Playmate of the Year 1980, her tragic story was immortalized in the film Star 80.
• Jayne Mansfield: Though not a Bunny, the famous actress was a frequent collaborator and major celebrity model for the magazine.
• Shannon Tweed: A former Playmate and actress, Tweed is known for her extensive filmography and her marriage to KISS bassist Gene Simmons.
• Shanna Moakler: A former Playmate of the Month who went on to a career in reality television and modeling.
• Kelly Monaco: A Playmate who transitioned to a successful soap opera career, most notably on General Hospital.
• Crystal Hefner: Hugh Hefner’s third wife, who has since become an advocate for body image and a DJ.
• Barbi Benton: A model and singer who was one of Hefner's long-term girlfriends in the 1970s.
• Anna Nicole Smith: Playmate of the Year 1993, a model and media personality whose life was a subject of intense public fascination.
• Donna D’Errico: A Playmate who achieved fame as an actress on the TV series Baywatch.
• Claudia Jennings: Playmate of the Year 1970, known for her acting career in B-movies.
• Marilyn Cole: Playmate of the Month January 1972 and the only British Playmate of the Year (1973), who went on to a career in journalism.

The Strict Secrets of the Playboy Club: Training and The ‘Bunny Dip’

The image of the Playboy Bunny is one of effortless glamour, but the reality of working in the original Playboy Clubs was governed by a set of strict, almost military-like rules and a rigorous training program. The goal was to create a uniform culture of sophistication, charm, and impeccable service that justified the exclusive nature of the Club’s “Keyholders.”

A new Bunny underwent a complete and detailed training program, which was a demanding three-week course. This training was far more intense than that of a typical cocktail waitress, focusing on high-end service and detailed memorization.

The Bunny’s Curriculum: 143 Liquors and 20 Cocktails

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To ensure elite service, Bunnies were required to possess an encyclopedic knowledge of the bar. They had to be able to identify 143 brands of liquor and know how to properly garnish and mix at least 20 cocktail variations. This level of expertise was essential to maintain the Club’s high standards and cultivate the desired mix of "cheekiness, charm, and enterprise."

The Infamous ‘Bunny Dip’

Perhaps the most famous and physically demanding requirement was the “Bunny Dip.” This was the required maneuver used to serve drinks to customers. Because the Bunny costume was extremely tight and the tail was a prominent feature, a Bunny could not simply bend over without the risk of exposing too much or bumping the customer with the tail.

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The solution was a strict, standardized dip: the Bunny would bend her knees while keeping her back perfectly straight, leaning forward slightly to place the drink on the table without ever turning her back to the customer. This maneuver was not just a service requirement; it was a non-verbal rule enforcing the fact that customers were absolutely not allowed to touch the Bunny. Any unwanted physical contact was grounds for the customer’s immediate expulsion from the Club.

The 2025 Revival: A New Era for the Playboy Brand

The Playboy brand continues to adapt to the modern cultural landscape, proving its longevity with several key developments in late 2025. These updates show a clear strategy to blend the brand’s vintage, nostalgic appeal with a new focus on diversity and empowerment, moving beyond the legacy of Hugh Hefner.

The Print Magazine Relaunch

In a major move, Playboy is relaunching its print magazine with a Winter 2025-26 issue, hitting newsstands in November 2025. This return to print is a bold statement in a digital age. The issue is set to feature a mix of rare vintage images—such as those of Jane Birkin—alongside new Playmates, signaling a bridge between the classic era and the brand’s future. The relaunch confirms that Playboy is "not playing it safe" and is committed to its original format.

WNBA Star Named Playmate of the Month

One of the most surprising and fresh pieces of news in 2025 was the announcement of WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick as Miss June 2025. This move is highly significant, as Gondrezick is the first current professional basketball player to earn the Playmate title. The selection highlights the brand's shift toward celebrating women who are successful, powerful, and famous in non-modeling careers, aligning with a "new era of bold, empowered femininity."

The Return of the Playboy Club

While the original clubs closed decades ago, the concept of the exclusive Playboy Club is seeing a modern revival. New clubs are set to open in international locations, including Macau, demonstrating the global and enduring appeal of the Bunny concept as a luxury hospitality experience. This new generation of clubs aims to capture the glamour and exclusivity of the original era while operating under modern standards.

The Playboy Bunny remains one of the most recognized and debated symbols in modern history. From the strict, three-week training that created a class of highly skilled cocktail waitresses, to the powerful careers launched by its most famous Playmates, the legacy is a complex tapestry of glamour, enterprise, and cultural controversy. The 2025 revival, marked by the print relaunch and the selection of a professional athlete as a Playmate, ensures that the iconic rabbit head will continue to spark curiosity and conversation for years to come.