Maria richwine filmography harrison

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A Colombian-born actress — who became a Playboy Bunny and was later cast as Buddy Holly's wife in a 1978 biopic about the famous American 1950s rock-and-roller — was found dead Tuesday in a Palm Springs hot tub.

Maria Eugenia Richwine, 71, of Los Angeles was discovered unresponsive in the residential hot tub in the 400 block of E. Valmonte Sur shortly before 7:30 a.m., according to Palm Springs police Lt. Gustavo Araiza.

Foul play is not suspected, Araiza said.

The Riverside County coroner will rule on Richmond's cause and manner of death.

"When I walked into Radio City Music Hall with my dad, the auditorium felt like a microcosm of the universe. The stage and the lights were like the stars and planets floating by me. It looked like the sun was illuminating the long-legged ladies dancing in unison — it was breathtaking," Richwine said. "I was inspired by them to learn to dance but Audrey Hepburn’s performance left such a lasting impression on me that I wanted to grow up to be just like her."

Richwine worked as a Playboy Bunny for Hugh Hefner for four years during the 1970s, and she said her family approved.

"My dad was very supportive," Richwine said. "He thought it was a great opportunity. The reality is that a Playboy Bunny is basically cocktail wait