Introduction
Connie Kreski (September 19, 1946 in Wyandotte, Michigan – March 21, 1995 in Beverly Hills, California) was an American model and actress. She was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for January 1968 and Playmate of the Year for 1969. Kreski was born Constance Kornacki.
Career
As a reward for her Playmate of the Year title, she received numerous gifts:
- Shelby Mustang GT-500 (fastback 428 Cobra Jet)
- Schwinn Varsity 10-speed bicycle
- Harley-Davidson M-65
- Hart pair of skis, fur-jacket by Alpers Furs and outfit by Peter Kennedy
- Arctic Cat Panther snowmobile with riding outfit
- Jantzen swimsuits and scuba diving equipment by US Divers,
- a pool cue, jewels, cosmetics, AM/FM car-stereo, Champagne, a typewriter...
In April 1969 Kreski was signed byAnthony Newley to play the feminine title role of Mercy Humppe in the Universal Pictures film Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? The movie was shot in Malta and starred Milton Berle, Joan Collins, and George Jessel.
Personal life
Los Angeles Times writer Joyce Haber mentioned Kreski in a newspaper column just days after the murder of Sharon Tate by followers of Charles Manson. Kreski was a member of the murdered actress's social circle along with John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Tina Sinatra, Jacqueline Bisset, Sharmagne Leland-St. John, Michael Sarrazin, and Andrew Prine. Kreski was among those invited to the mansion Tate shared with her husband, director Roman Polanski, on Cielo Drive in Los Angeles, California. Haber reported that some of those invited declined to attend on the fatal night of August 9, 1969.
Death
Kreski died of a blocked carotid artery on March 21, 1995 in Beverly Hills, California.
Film and television appearances
- Lost Flight (1969) .... Australian's Wife
- Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? (1969) .... Mercy Humppe
- Ironside – "A Matter of Love and Death" .... Arlene (1 episode, 1969)
- The Bold Ones .... Waitress (1 episode, 1969)
- Love, American Style - Love and the Big Night/Love and Those Poor Crusaders' Wives/Love and the V.I.P. Restaurant (1970) TV Episode (segment "Love and the V.I.P. Restaurant")
- The Trackers (1971) (TV) .... Becky Paxton
- The Outside Man (1972) .... Rosie
- The Black Bird (1975) .... Decoy Girl
- Captains and the Kings (1976) (mini) TV Series .... Pearl Gray
- Aspen (1977) (mini) TV Series (uncredited) .... Jackie Camerovsky