Hamilton, Carolyn V.

Carolyn V. Hamilton is a former Las Vegas advertising executive and graphic designer. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Hamilton left her hometown in 1964 to be a Playboy Bunny in Detroit, Michigan. After obtaining a degree in commercial art, Hamilton worked in advertising in Los Angeles, California before relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. Hamilton continued her career in Las Vegas at Jerry May Advertising, but when that firm dissolved in late 1973, she began working as a cocktail waitress at the newly-opened MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. She resumed her work in advertising in the late 1970s.

In 1980, Hamilton met business partner Rich Newman and the two formed the advertising agency, Newman ‘n Hamilton. Carolyn Hamilton handled all graphic design work for the company’s clients, in addition to copywriting and executive duties. She sold her interest in Newman ‘n Hamilton in 1984 and later established the agency, Graphic Communications. She was involved in local civic organizations including the Greater Las Vegas Foundation and the Greater Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, as well as professional organizations such as the American Advertising Federation.

In the late 1980s, Hamilton married comedian Cork Proctor. Although they divorced in 2009, they remained close friends until Proctor’s death on June 6, 2024. Carolyn V. Hamilton is a graduate of Antioch University Seattle and is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books. As of 2025, Hamilton lives in Ecuador.

Sources:

Dye, Tom. “Business as usual.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 8, 1984, NewsBank.

Hamilton, Carolyn V. Coming to Las Vegas: A True Tale of Sex, Drugs & Sin City in the '70s. Swift House Press, 2014.

Katsilometes, John. “Veteran Las Vegas comedian dies at 91.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, June 8-9, 2024, NewsBank.

Morrison, Jane Ann. “Ex-Playboy bunny finds a life in LV.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, March 14, 1982, NewsBank.