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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Barbi Benton

Barbi Benton is an American former model, actress, television personality, and singer best known for her work with Playboy, her recurring role on Hee Haw, and her country music recordings.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Barbi Benton is an American former model, actress, television personality, and singer best known for her work with Playboy, her recurring role on Hee Haw, and her country music recordings. Born Barbara Lynn Klein in New York City, she was active in entertainment mainly from the late 1960s through the mid-1980s and later retired from show business.

Early life

Barbi Benton was born Barbara Lynn Klein in New York City on January 28, 1950. Public sources identify her as American and note that she later entered modelling and entertainment.

Entertainment career

Benton became known through Playboy-related work, including magazine appearances and television projects. She also became a regular performer on Hee Haw and acted in film and television roles.

Music career

In the 1970s, Benton recorded several albums and singles, working mainly in country and pop-oriented styles. Her recordings achieved moderate commercial success.

Retirement

Benton retired from show business in 1986 after the birth of her first child. Later sources describe her as largely semi-retired from entertainment.

Key facts

  • Barbi Benton was born Barbara Lynn Klein in New York City on January 28, 1950.
  • She appeared in Playboy magazine and was associated with Playboy television projects.
  • She was a regular on the country variety series Hee Haw.
  • She recorded several albums in the 1970s and had moderate chart success.
  • She retired from show business after the birth of her first child in 1986.
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Canadian context

Barbi Benton is mainly relevant to Canadian readers as a North American entertainment figure whose Playboy, television, and country music work also circulated widely in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Barbi Benton?
Barbi Benton is an American former model, actress, television personality, and singer known for Playboy, Hee Haw, and 1970s recordings.
What is Barbi Benton’s real name?
Her birth name is Barbara Lynn Klein.
When was Barbi Benton born?
She was born on January 28, 1950.
What is Barbi Benton best known for?
She is best known for Playboy appearances, her role on Hee Haw, and her music career in the 1970s.
When did Barbi Benton retire?
She retired from show business after the birth of her first child in 1986.
Is Barbi Benton Canadian?
No. Available sources describe her as American.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbi_Benton
    Supports: Birth name, date and place of birth, occupations, years active, retirement, and general career overview.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0072902/
    Supports: Birth details, occupations, marriage to George Gradow, and selected acting credits.
  3. Apple Music — https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/barbi-benton/393262671
    Supports: Birth date and genre classification.
  4. TheFamousPeople — https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/barbi-benton-34200.php
    Supports: Playboy-related work, Hee Haw role, albums, and broader entertainment biography.
  5. American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/born-on-this-day-in-1950-the-country-hitmaker-and-playboy-cover-model-who-walked-away-from-fame-to-raise-a-family/
    Supports: Birth date, early modelling, Hee Haw work, and retirement after the birth of her first child.