She joined "The Little Theater" in Hollywood with roles in "The Robe", Fiona in "Brigadoon", and "My Sister Eileen" with actress Jo Anne Worley. This led to small roles in live television, such as "Playhouse 90", "Climax!", and "Westinghouse Studio One". These appearances opened the door for her in film and television. Staley's first role in television was a 1958 "Perry Mason" episode, "The Case of the Corresponding Corpse". In early 1958, Lawrence Schiller, a "Life" photographer, approached Staley and asked her to pose for "Playboy". They did a photo shoot together, which resulted in the actual spread used by the magazine. Publisher Hugh Hefner selected her to be "Playboy"s "Miss November" 1958.