Hugh Hefner
Hefner attending Glamourcon #50, Long Beach, California on November 13, 2010
Born | Hugh Marston Hefner (1926-04-09) April 9, 1926 (age 87) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Residence | Playboy Mansion, Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality | American
Education | Steinmetz High School
Alma mater | University of Illinois (B.A.) Northwestern University
Known for | Editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine, Chief Creative Officer of Playboy Enterprises
Home town | Chicago, Illinois
Political party | Independent
Board member of | Playboy Enterprises
Spouse(s) | Mildred Williams (1949?1959) Kimberley Conrad (1989?2010)
Partner(s) | Barbi Benton (1969?1976) Brande Roderick (2000?2001) Tina Marie Jordan (2001?2002) Holly Madison (2003?2008) Crystal Harris (2009?present)
Children | Christie Hefner David Hefner Marston Hefner Cooper Hefner
Website
Playboy.com

Hugh Marston Hefner (born April 9, 1926) is an American magazine publisher, founder, and chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises.[1]

## Early life[edit]

Hefner was born in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest of two sons of Grace Caroline (n?e Swanson; 1895?1997) and Glenn Lucius Hefner (1896?1976), both teachers.[2][3] Hefner's mother was of Swedish descent and his father had German and English ancestry.[4][5] On his father's side, Hefner claims he is a direct descendant of Plymouth governor William Bradford.[6][7] He has described his family as "conservative, Midwest, Methodist."[8] He went to Sayre Elementary School and Steinmetz High School, then served as a writer for a military newspaper in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. He later graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign with a B.A. in psychology with a double minor in creative writing and art in 1949, earning his degree in two and a half years. After graduation, he took a semester of graduate courses in sociology at Northwestern University but dropped out soon after.[9]

## Career[edit]

Working as a copywriter for Esquire, he left in January 1952 after being denied a $5 raise. In 1953, he mortgaged his furniture, generating a bank loan of $600, and raised $8,000 from 45 investors ? including $1,000 from his mother ("Not because she believed in the venture," he told E! in 2006, "but because she believed in her son.") ? to launch Playboy, which was initially going to be called Stag Party. The undated first issue, published in December 1953, featured Marilyn Monroe from her 1949 nude calendar shoot and sold over 50,000 copies.[10] (Hefner, who never met Monroe, bought the crypt next to hers at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.[11][12])

After it was rejected by Esquire magazine in 1955, Hefner agreed to publish in Playboy the Charles Beaumont science fiction short story, "The Crooked Man", about straight men being persecuted in a world where homosexuality was the norm. After receiving angry letters to the magazine, Hefner wrote a response to criticism where he said, "If it was wrong to persecute heterosexuals in a homosexual society then the reverse was wrong, too."[13]

On June 4, 1963, Hefner was arrested for selling obscene literature after an issue of Playboy featuring nude shots of Jayne Mansfield was released.[14] A jury was unable to reach a verdict.[15]

His former secretary, Bobbie Arnstein, was found dead in a Chicago hotel room after an overdose of drugs in January 1975. Hefner called a press conference to allege that she had been driven to suicide by narcotics agents and federal officers. Hefner further claimed the government was out to get him because of Playboy's philosophy and its advocacy of more liberal drug laws.[16][17]

He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for television and has made several movie appearances as himself. In 2009, he received a "worst supporting actor" nomination for a Razzie award for his performance in Miss March.

A documentary by Brigitte Berman, Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel, was released on July 30, 2010. He had previously granted full access to documentary filmmaker and television producer Kevin Burns for the AE Biography special Hugh Hefner: American Playboy in 1996.[18]

Hefner and Burns later collaborated on numerous other television projects, most notably on The Girls Next Door, a reality series that ran for six seasons (2005?2009) and 90 episodes.

In 1999, Hefner financed the Clara Bow documentary, Discovering the It Girl. "Nobody has what Clara had. She defined an era and made her mark on the nation," he stated.[19]

## Personal life[edit]

Hefner married Northwestern University student Mildred Williams (born 1926) in 1949. They had two children, Christie (born 1952) and David (born 1955).[20] Before the wedding, Mildred confessed that she had had an affair while he was away in the Army. He called the admission "the most devastating moment of my life." A 2006 E! True Hollywood Story profile of Hefner revealed that Mildred allowed him to sleep with other women, out of guilt for her infidelity and in the hopes that it would preserve their marriage. They divorced in 1959.[citation needed]

Hefner remade himself as a bon viveur and man about town, a lifestyle he promoted in his magazine and two TV shows he hosted, Playboy's Penthouse (1959?1960) and Playboy After Dark (1969?1970). He admitted to being "'involved' with maybe eleven out of twelve months' worth of Playmates" during some of these years.[21] Donna Michelle, Marilyn Cole, Lillian M?ller, Shannon Tweed, Brande Roderick, Barbi Benton, Karen Christy, Sondra Theodore, and Carrie Leigh ? who filed a $35 million palimony suit against him ? were a few of his many lovers. In 1971, he acknowledged that he experimented in bisexuality.[22] He moved from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Hefner had a minor stroke in 1985 at age 59. After re-evaluating his lifestyle, he made several changes. The wild, all-night parties were toned down significantly and in 1988, daughter Christie began to run the Playboy empire. The following year, he married Playmate of the Year Kimberley Conrad. The couple had two sons, Marston Glenn (born 1990) and Cooper Bradford (born 1991).[23] The E! True Hollywood Story profile noted that the notorious Playboy Mansion had been transformed into a family-friendly homestead. After he and Conrad separated in 1998, Conrad moved into a house next door to the mansion.

Hefner then began to move an ever-changing coterie of young women into the mansion, even dating up to seven girls at once, among them, Brande Roderick, Izabella St. James, Tina Marie Jordan, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, and Kendra Wilkinson. The reality television series The Girls Next Door depicted the lives of Madison, Wilkinson and Marquardt at the Playboy Mansion.[24] In October 2008, all three girls made the choice to leave the mansion. Hefner was quick to rebound and soon began dating his new "Number One" girlfriend, Crystal Harris,[25] along with 20-year-old identical twin and models Kristina and Karissa Shannon.[26] The relationship with the twins ended in January 2010.[27] After an 11-year separation, Hefner filed for divorce from Conrad stating irreconcilable differences.[28] Hefner has said that he only remained married to her for the sake of his children,[29] and his youngest child had just turned 18.[23] The divorce was finalized in March 2010.[30] On December 24, 2010, Hefner presented an engagement ring to Crystal Harris, publicly announcing the proposal the following day.[11] Hefner and Harris had planned to marry June 18, 2011.[31][32] Harris called off the wedding just 5 days before they were due to be wed.[33] As of June 2012 Harris and Hefner have resumed their relationship.[34]

## Politics and philanthropy[edit]

The Hugh Hefner First Amendment Award was created by Christie Hefner "to honor individuals who have made significant contributions in the vital effort to protect and enhance First Amendment rights for Americans."[35]

He has donated and raised money for the Democratic Party.[36] However, he has more recently referred to himself as an Independent due to disillusionment with both the Democratic and Republican Parties.[37]

In 1978, Hefner helped organize fund-raising efforts that led to the restoration of the Hollywood Sign. He hosted a gala fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion and personally contributed $27,000 (or 1/9 of the total restoration costs) by purchasing the letter Y in a ceremonial auction.[38][39]

Hefner donated $100,000 to the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts to create a course called "Censorship in Cinema," and $2?million to endow a chair for the study of American film.[40]

Both through his charitable foundation and individually, Hefner also contributes to charities outside the sphere of politics and publishing, throwing fundraiser events for Much Love Animal Rescue as well as Generation Rescue,[41] a controversial autism campaign organization supported by Jenny McCarthy.

On November 18, 2010, Children of the Night Founder and President Dr. Lois Lee presented Hefner with the organization?s first-ever Founder?s Hero of the Heart Award in appreciation for his unwavering dedication, commitment and generosity.

On April 26, 2010, Hefner donated the last $900,000 sought by a conservation group for a land purchase needed to stop the development of the famed vista of the Hollywood Sign.[38]

Sylvilagus palustris hefneri, an endangered subspecies of Marsh rabbit, is named after him in honor of financial support that he provided.[42][43]

Hefner supports legalizing same-sex marriage and he states that a fight for gay marriage is "a fight for all our rights. Without it, we will turn back the sexual revolution and return to an earlier, puritanical time."[44]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Corporate Officers. Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
2. ^ "Mr Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the American Dream". Steven Watts. Google Books. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
3. ^ Algis Valiunas, "The Playboy and His Western World". May 2010.
4. ^ Mullen, William (August 8, 1984). "Hef". Spokane Chronicle. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
5. ^ Roberts, Gary Boyd. "#58 Royal Descents, Notable Kin, and Printed Sources". New England Ancestors. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
6. ^ "Mr. Playboy: Hugh Hefner tells how he created an identity in order to fulfill his dreams". Time. October 2, 2005.
7. ^ Quintanilla, Michael (February 5, 1999). 05, 1999author=MICHAEL QUINTANILLApub=Los Angeles Timesdesc=STYLEMAKER / Hugh Hefner. The king of swingers reenters the singles scene.; Pajama Partypqatl=google "STYLEMAKER / Hugh Hefner. The king of swingers reenters the singles scene.; Pajama Party".
8. ^ Hugh Hefner On His Role In Fighting Segregation. Jezebel.com (2010-07-23). Retrieved on 2012-05-03.
9. ^ Hugh M. Hefner Playboy Enterprises. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
10. ^ Hugh Hefner: The Ultimate Lifestyle Entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs.about.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-03.
11. ^ a b Charles McGrath (February 3, 2011). "How Hef Got His Groove Back". The New York Times.
12. ^ Westwood Village Memorial Cemetery. Seeing-Stars.com.
13. ^ [1] advocate.com
14. ^ Pitzulo, Carrie (2011). Bachelors and Bunnies: The Sexual Politics of Playboy. University of Chicago Press. p. 66. ISBN 978-0226670065. `|accessdate=` requires `|url=` (help)
15. ^ Hugh Hefner Biography. biography.com.
16. ^ David Cotner (October 2, 2008). "The life and times of an alpha male". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 17, 2009.
17. ^ Roger Ebert (October 23, 1992). "Hugh Hefner: Once upon a time". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 17, 2009.
18. ^ Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel. Hughhefnerplayboyactivistrebel.com (2010-12-07). Retrieved on 2012-05-03.
19. ^ Variety, June 7, 1999
20. ^ Playboy Time Line. playboy.com
21. ^ Acocella, Joan "The Girls Next Door", The New Yorker, March 20, 2006
22. ^ "Faces of the week". BBC News. May 26, 2006.
23. ^ a b Cooper Hefner. TV.com
24. ^ A New Boy for Former 'Girl Next Door'. BuddyTV.com. February 10, 2009
25. ^ Korin Miller Meet Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's other girlfriend, Crystal Harris. NYdailynews. January 5, 2009
26. ^ Party's over for Playboy king Hugh Hefner, The Age October 18, 2008. Accessed October 30, 2008
27. ^ Strip Scribbles: What?s next for Hef after divorce, Shannon twins?. Lasvegassun.com (2010-02-15). Retrieved on 2012-05-03.
28. ^ "Hugh Hefner Finally Files for Divorce". People. Retrieved September 9, 2009.
29. ^ "Hugh Hefner files for divorce from wife". Reuters. September 9, 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2009.
30. ^ "Hefner's divorce finalised in March". www.express.co.uk. February 10, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
31. ^ "Reuters: Hugh Hefner Acknowledges Engagement on Twitter". December 26, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
32. ^ Hugh Hefner Gets Engaged During Philadelphia Blizzard on MusicMonday. December 27, 2010.
33. ^ "Hugh Hefner's Fianc?e Calls Off Wedding?Just Five Days Out!". June 14, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
34. ^ "Twitter / CrystalHarris". Retrieved 29 June 2012.
35. ^ Playboy Enterprises, Inc., "Playboy Foundation ? Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Awards". Accessed 12 July 2011.
36. ^ Hugh Hefner's Federal Campaign Contribution Report. NewsMeat.com.
37. ^ [2] Twitter.
38. ^ a b "Hugh Hefner saves iconic Hollywood sign". London: Times Online. April 27, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
39. ^ "The History of the Sign: 1978: A Sign is Reborn". Hollywood Sign. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
40. ^ AP.Google.com, Hefner Gives $2M to USC Film School Associated Press, November 16, 2007.[dead link]
41. ^ "Hugh Hefner Jenny McCarthy Fund Autism Research". Celebrity Halo. October 2008. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
42. ^ "My True Love Gave To Me ? A Bat Species!". CBS News. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
43. ^ "Lower Keys Rabbit". United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
44. ^ "Playboy founder Hugh Hefner writes passionate plea in support of gay marriage". NYDailyNews.com. THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012, 4:25 PM. Retrieved THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012, 4:25 PM. Check date values in: `|date=, |accessdate=` (help)

## Further reading[edit]

- Watts, Steven (2008). Mr. Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the American Dream. Hoboken: John Wiley Sons. ISBN 0-471-69059-7.
- Miller, Russell (1985). Bunny: The Real Story of Playboy. London: Corgi. ISBN 0-03-063748-1.
- St. James, Izabella (2006). Bunny Tales: Behind Closed Doors at the Playboy Mansion. Philadelphia: Running Press. ISBN 0-7624-2739-6
- Hefner, Veronika and Jurij Toplak (2009). Hefner, Hugh. In: Vile, John R., Hudson, David L., and Schultz, David Andrew (Eds.). Encyclopedia of the First Amendment. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, p.?564.

## External links[edit]

| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hugh Hefner.

- Hugh M. Hefner Foundation
- Hugh Hefner at the Internet Movie Database
- API on Twitter
- Hugh Hefner: The Ultimate Lifestyle Entrepreneur (About.com Entrepreneurs)
- "Hugh Hefner". Salon.com. December 28, 1999.
- hefnerst=0pn=1 Hugh Hefner interview from 1966

Playboy Enterprises
Key people | Christie Hefner (former Chairman and CEO) Hugh Hefner (Editor-in-Chief, CCO and Founder)
Business groups |
Playboy Publishing | Playboy Magazine Playboy Special Edition
Playboy Entertainment | Playboy TV My Ex-Girlfriends Playboy Radio Spice Networks Playboy Online Playboy Cyber Club ClubJenna Indigo Entertainment
Miscellaneous | Playboy Clubs Playboy Mansion Victor Lownes The Playboy Club (TV series)
Annual revenue USD 215 million (2010) Employees 547

Authority control | VIAF: 84568758

Persondata
Name | Hefner, Hugh Marston
Alternative names | Hef
Short description | Founder and editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine
Date of birth | April 9, 1926
Place of birth | Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Date of death |
Place of death |