There are certain moments in the career of an actress that let her know how successful she is. Her first role. Her first starring role. Her first blockbuster. Her first minor award nomination. Her first Oscar. Her first time being offered the cover of Playboy, with a full pictorial spread inside. Each of these prestigious moments resonates deeply. And on the heels of her Oscar win, Kate Winslet has been further honored by Hugh Hefner, who wants to see Kate’s naked self in the flesh. So to speak.

IF an Oscar, two Golden Globes and a Bafta aren’t enough for KATE WINSLET – she’s now been bestowed with another honour. HUGH HEFNER has offered the British actress a spot on the cover of Playboy with a nude spread inside.

If Kate takes Hugh up on his offer she would follow in the footsteps of MARILYN MONROE, SHARON STONE, PAMELA ANDERSON and fellow Oscar winner CHARLIZE THERON.

The 82-year-old Playboy boss told a newspaper: “There’s no question we would be interested in Kate… It’s a competitive market, more than it used to be, so she would be a most welcome addition in our pages.”

Kate has been filmed topless in many of her movies, including Academy Award victors The Reader and Titanic.

But she has vowed to never again appear naked on screen again, for fears of being typecast. She said: “I don’t want to be known as that actress who gets her kit off.”

[From The Sun – link NSFW]

Kate must be going through so many emotions right now. I mean an Oscar AND an offer from Playboy, all in one week? These are clearly important times for her right now.

As The Sun mentioned, Kate has mostly ruled out future on-screen nudity – which I suspect applies to print publications as well. I don’t mind Playboy all that much, everything considered. But I don’t know why Hefner feels the need to respond to just about any newsworthy event with an offer of nudity. I imagine that he sits there, watching CNN while taking notes about anyone potentially hot who’s done anything of note. Luckily very few women take Hef up on his proposals. At least compared to the number of women he makes offers to.

And really, Winslet is supposed to be enticed with mentions that Sharon Stone and Pamela Anderson have been on the cover of Playboy? I’m sure that’ll work wonders, because nothing makes an elegant woman want to take off her clothes quicker than being compared to some of the trashiest women in Hollywood.

Here’s Kate Winslet at L.A.X. leaving Los Angeles on Monday afternoon. Images thanks to Bauer-Griffin.