Discover 25+ Stunning Photos Of Vikki Dougan, Hollywood's Iconic 'The Back'

In 1950s Hollywood, Vikki Dougan gained recognition as a striking model and actress known for her captivating looks. Born Edith Tooker in Brooklyn, Dougan was already making a name for herself as a teenager in the modeling world.

Her breakthrough came in 1948 when she won the title of New York Skate Queen, which brought her into the spotlight and paved the way for her Hollywood career.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Dougan appeared in several films, including “The Great Man” (1956) and “Hound-Dog Man” (1959). Her beauty and bold style earned her prominent features in LIFE magazine and a photo spread in Playboy, further elevating her profile.

Let’s take a moment to admire the stunning photos that made Vikki Dougan unforgettable and explore how she earned the nickname ‘The Back.’

The Creation of ‘The Back’

Miss Vikki Dougan – an actress most famous for crashing parties in backless dresses in the 1950s

Vikki Dougan’s rise to fame in the late 1950s was no coincidence—it was a carefully orchestrated publicity move by Milton Weiss, a publicist for Batjac Productions, the film company founded by John Wayne.

Weiss saw an opportunity to make Dougan stand out in Hollywood’s crowded scene by focusing on an often-overlooked part of her body: her back.

Vicky Dugan on the cover of The Symbol, August 1951

At the 1957 Golden Globes, Dougan wore a daring, custom-made pink satin backless gown.

As she walked onto the stage to present the award for Best Supporting Actor to Earl Holliman, she gracefully let her mink stole slip to the ground, revealing her toned and flawless back to an enthralled audience.

This moment quickly became tabloid fodder, with Erskine Johnson famously writing in his column: “Dougan’s dresses are lower in the back than a teenager’s hot rod.”

Much like Betty Grable, who became famous for her legs, and Jane Russell, known for her bust, Dougan’s back became a phenomenon.

Her bold fashion choices made her a red carpet staple, landing her in major magazines.

However, as Dougan later reflected in a 2021 interview with The New York Times, “It is not symbolic of who I am. It wasn’t really me. I was playing a part.”