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Biography courtesy and copyright of Shade at
www.geocities.com/shadecat49.
Shade |
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I was born in Akron,
Ohio to Bill & Annamae Toomey. The 50's were a wonderful time to be a
kid. When I was 5 or 6 I had a fascination, almost to the point of
obsession, with bunnies (the four-legged, furry kind).
I used to make
cardboard bunny ears and toilet paper tails and dress up the
neighborhood kids! I made up this game called "RABBIT
AND WOLF" and we had a blast!
I even took it a
step further and would raid all the gardens in the neighborhood just
like Peter Rabbit. I'd sit there munching away on carrots, pepper,
tomatoes and even onions! YUMMY! My poor mom would get phone calls
from all the neighbors saying "Your daughter is in my garden again! I
guess it was destiny.
Shade |
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When I was a
teenager and found out about Playboy Bunnies I knew what I wanted be!
In 1969 I met a wonderful photographer named Ott Gangl.
He took pictures
of me for a year before I got the nerve to ask him if he would send
some shots into PLAYBOY. He agreed. PLAYBOY liked the pictures and
flew me to Chicago for a shot at Playmate! WOW! I stayed at the
mansion in the "Blue Room". I thought I
was dreaming!
The photo shoot
went well (I was scared to death), But... no Playmate. The experience
was priceless, though. I got to attend a movie party with Hef, Barbie
Benton and lots of their friends. (I turned Hef on to the movie "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD" and he loved it!)
Bunny
Shady |
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In 1972 I moved
to Denver, Colorado with a couple of friends. I found out that there
was a Playboy Club there. YAHOO!
In January 1973,
I applied and got the job! I was thrilled! The Bunny Mother's name was
Janet. My Training Bunny's name was Kathy Horineck (aka Marlo Paris).
The training was tough, but well worth it. I can still remember all
the garnishes that went into the drinks even after all this time!
One time Playboy
threw Howard Cosell a special party and a
couple of other Bunnies and me were scheduled to work it. Everything
was going great. I went around the corner to the Bunny station to get
something and when I turned round, Howard was right there! He put his
arms around me, bent me over backwards, and before I knew what was
happening he had his tongue down my throat! (GAG, CHOKE!) It was
pretty gross! And his wife was right around the corner too!! I got out
of there quick like a Bunny and acted like nothing had happened. But
I'll never forget it!
Shade |
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But I also met so
many cool people too! Like Jimmy Caan
(wink wink, nudge nudge) Steve Martin,
Kreskin, Harry
Blackstone Jr., Engelbert Humperdink,
rock bands like Uriah Heep,
T-Rex, Fleetwood
Mac, Manfred Mann,
Dennis Wilson & Al
Jardin from The Beach Boys,
Led Zeppelin, Frank
Zappa, and my favorite... KISS!!
Love that Paul Stanley!! Hi Paul, Hope
you read this!!
During that time,
I was photographed again for Playmate. The photographer was David
Chan. We went up to Red Rocks Park for the shoot. Being nude in a
public park was risky! We almost got bust a couple of times, but it
was fun! Again, no Playmate (SOB). But I did make it into
VIP - The Playboy Club Magazine. YAY!
Alas, I only
worked at the Club for a year. Let's just say I had a hard time
abiding by the "no dating" rule. The
temptation was much too great! Hey... I was young, what can I say? But
it was a wonderful experience and I wouldn't change a thing!
Since then, I've
had many jobs and lots of wonderful experiences. I live in Florida now
and I am finally fulfilling a lifelong dream. I just landed a great
role in a horror / thriller Called "VALLEY OF
THE SHADOW". We should begin filming in February 2003. Check my
website for all the details:
www.geocities.com/shadecat49.
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Peace out,
Shade |
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