Brandy Ledford Was a Penthouse Pet

From softcore porn to TV and film, Brandy Ledford became a favorite within the erotic art and pop culture collecting communities. Brandy Lee Ledford, born February 4, 1969, in Denver, Colorado, is an American actress, model, and Penthouse magazine’s 1992 “Pet of the Year.” Over the years, she transitioned from adult entertainment into mainstream acting, starring in a wide variety of television shows and films. Her roles have ranged from small indie films to well-known comedies like Rat Race. She gained a significant following in the sci-fi and geek community, particularly with her roles in Andromeda and Baywatch Hawaii.

Brandy is well known for her 1992 centerfold in Penthouse Magazine and was a fan favorite from 1991 to 1994. Her images from the Penthouse Magazine shoot are preserved at the OG Collection. She built her acting career with several minor roles, eventually earning a reputation as a versatile actress. She appeared in shows like Silk Stalkings, National Lampoon’s Last Resort, The George Carlin Show, High Tide, Walker, Texas Ranger, and The Drew Carey Show.

Starting with minor television roles, Brandy eventually starred in more prominent parts. Her best-known performance came as Dawn Masterton on Baywatch Hawaii, where she played a lifeguard and archaeologist. This role marked a significant transition in her acting career, as her character faced her fear of drowning, symbolizing Brandy breaking out of her pinup model past. During her time on Baywatch Hawaii, Brandy landed small roles in several movies.

Her performance in the sci-fi hit Demolition Man, co-starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes, was a major milestone, marking her entry into sci-fi, which would become a specialty. Brandy played the Fiber Op girl, helping fight crime in a futuristic utopian society. Demolition Man remains a classic sci-fi film worth revisiting.

Her next major movie role was in Panic in the Skies, where she played Charlene Davis, a flight attendant surviving a lightning-struck flight. She also had a minor role in First Target, a story about a presidential assassination, and starred in We’ll Meet Again, a murder mystery where she and an investigative reporter seek justice after being framed for her husband’s death.

Sci-Fi Geek

The sci-fi thriller Faultline brought Brandy back to her geek audience. In this film, she played a mother struggling to keep her family alive after an earthquake. One of her minor roles was in Rat Race, where she played Vicky, a call girl. Before her time on Baywatch Hawaii, Brandy joined the cast of Fast Track (1997–1998), playing Mimi Chandler, one of the major characters in this high-speed racing show.

After Baywatch, Brandy continued starring in both small and large roles in movies. She appeared in TV shows like The Invisible Man, Smallville, Stargate SG-1, and Stargate Atlantis. Her work in The Invisible Man, where she played federal agent Alex Monroe, led to roles in Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda, where she played the android Doyle. Brandy’s versatility shone through in shows like Whistler, a Canadian murder mystery where she played Shelby Varland, a small-town resident caught in a conspiracy. On Stargate SG-1, she played Zarin, an undercover operative whose cover is blown, and in Stargate Atlantis, she portrayed Norina, a Taranian scientist who helps save the universe from destruction.

Her role as Doyle in Andromeda remains one of her most famous. Doyle, an android built from an artificial intelligence unit, was programmed to believe she was human. Brandy’s portrayal of a conflicted android earned her critical praise. She has appeared in other well know shows like Modern Family and NCIS: Los Angeles.

Brandy remains a Penthouse classic. She is one of only 23 Penthouse Magazine Pets of the Year shot by the magazine's founder and photographer Bob Guccione.