Cynthia Wood was born on September 25, 1950 in Burbank, California. Her father Harold was a recording executive and her mother Erma was an actress. Cynthia attended both Los Angeles City College and Los Angeles Valley College as a music major but eventually switched to theater. She ultimately dropped out of college altogether in 1971. Wood was the Playmate of the Month in the February, 1973 issue of "Playboy." She was named Playmate of the Year in 1974. Cynthia did a follow-up pictorial ten years later in the April, 1984 of "Playboy." Wood made her film debut with a small role as a beauty shop customer in "Shampoo." Cynthia gave an especially lively and winning performance as sassy spitfire Moon in the enjoyable drive-in comedy romp "Van Nuys Blvd." She was likewise memorable as one of the dancing "Playboy" Playmates in "Apocalypse Now;" this particular part was greatly expanded in the 2001 "Redux" version of the movie. Moreover, Wood appeared as herself on episodes of the TV programs "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" and "The Jim Stafford Show."
