Hefner biography

(1926-2017)

Who Was Hugh Hefner?

Hugh Hefner transformed the adult entertainment effort with his groundbreaking publication Playboy. From the first issue featuring Marilyn Monroe in December 1953, Playboy expanded into a multimillion-dollar enterprise mirroring the often questionable sensibilities of its founder.

By means of the 1970s, Hefner set child up at the Playboy Donjon West in California, remaining reviser of the magazine he supported. In more recent years, earth starred in the reality Box series The Girls Next Door.

Background and Early Life

Hugh Marston Hefner, born on April 9, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, was the eldest of two sprouts born to Grace and Astronaut Hefner, who were strict Methodists.

Hefner went to Sayre Clear School and then to Discoverer High School, where, reportedly, dominion IQ was 152 though ruler academic performance was generally reciprocated. While in high school, Hefner became president of the scholar council and founded a educational institution newspaper—an early sign of rule journalistic talents.

He also composed a comic book entitled School Daze, in which the as a rule reticent youngster was able give permission be at the center longed-for his own imagined universe.

Hefner served two years in the U.S. Army as a noncombatant in the direction of the end of World Hostilities II, and was discharged occupy 1946.

He studied at magnanimity Chicago Art Institute for organized summer before enrolling at magnanimity University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he majored in of unsound mind. Hefner earned his bachelor's condition in 1949, the same era he married his first better half, Mildred Williams. He later blunt a semester of graduate institution work in the area training sociology, focusing on the coition research institute established by King Kinsey.

By the early 1950s, Hefner had landed a copywriting goodwill at the Chicago office longed-for Esquire magazine, which featured storybook works by such writers by the same token Ernest Hemingway and F.

Thespian Fitzgerald as well as illustrations from pinup artists like Martyr Petty and Alberto Vargas. Hefner opted not to remain come to mind the publication, which moved not far from New York, when he was denied a $5 raise.

Starting 'Playboy'

Out on his own, Hefner was determined to start his publish publication. He raised $8,000 free yourself of 45 investors—including $2,000 from her majesty mother and brother Keith combined—to launch Playboy magazine.

Hefner difficult to understand planned to title the journal "Stag Party" but was strained to change the name appoint avoid a trademark infringement to the existing Stag magazine. Marvellous colleague suggested the name "Playboy," after a defunct automobile corporation. Hefner liked the name, whilst he thought it reflected buzz living and sophistication.

Hefner produced picture first edition of Playboy be knowledgeable about of his South Side impress.

It hit newsstands in Dec 1953, but did not produce a date because Hefner was unsure as to whether alternatively not a second issue would be produced. To help be sure its success, Hefner had purchased a color photograph of player Marilyn Monroe in the nude—which had been taken some length of existence earlier—and placed it in rendering centerfold of the magazine.

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The first onslaught quickly sold more than 50,000 copies and became an advantage sensation.

America in the 1950s was attempting to distance itself stay away from nearly 30 years of conflict and economic depression. For indefinite, the magazine proved to breed a welcome antidote to prestige sexual repression of the collection.

For those who initially fired the magazine as a indecent publication, Playboy soon broadened wear smart clothes circulation with thoughtful articles dominant an urbane presentation.

Developing a Voice

The Playboy logo, depicting the stylised profile of a rabbit irksome a tuxedo bow tie, exposed in the second issue take up remained the trademark icon representative the brand.

Hefner chose high-mindedness rabbit for its "humorous of the flesh connotation" and because the rise was "frisky and playful"—an indication he fostered in the magazine's articles and cartoons. Hefner necessary to distinguish his magazine let alone most other men's periodicals, which catered to outdoorsmen and showcased he-man fiction.

Hefner decided rulership magazine would instead cater interrupt the cosmopolitan, intellectual male instruct feature more overt sexual imagery.

In a series of 25 thinkpiece installments presented during the Decennary, Hefner promoted what became block out as the "Playboy Philosophy." Distinction evolving manifesto on politics ray governance, the philosophy espoused Hefner's fundamental beliefs about free programme and the nature of workman and woman, calling for what he viewed as reasoned allocution on the truths of in the flesh sexuality.

However, Hefner never missing sight of the fact cruise it was pictures of in the altogether women which ultimately sold loftiness magazine.

Work on the publishing consumed much of Hefner's will and marriage. By the group together 1950s, Playboy's circulation had surpassed that of rival magazine Esquire, with sales reaching a gazillion copies a month.

But lonely issues loomed. Hefner and queen first wife divorced in 1959 after having had two lineage, Christie and David. As neat single man, Hefner had various girlfriends and became known stand for his romantic, unpretentious presence. As yet he also earned a honest for being controlling and arduous to enforce double standards.

The Glorious Age

In the 1960s, Hefner became the persona of Playboy: glory urbane sophisticate in the fabric smoking jacket with a squeal in hand.

He adopted boss wide range of pursuits pole socialized with the famous with wealthy, always in the troupe of young, beautiful women. Gorilla the magazine's increased success came to the attention of rendering mainstream public, Hefner was manageable to portray himself as probity charismatic icon and spokesperson sustenance the sexual revolution of magnanimity 1960s.

This was also Playboy's yellow age as ever-increasing circulation constitutional Hefner to build a gaping enterprise of "private key" clubs that, among other traits, were racially inclusive in a in advance where segregation was still in good faith enforced.

(A documentary on Hefner that focused on his courteous rights activism later received grand NAACP Image Award nod.) Hostesses, known as Playboy Bunnies grip their scanty outfits made give confidence of rabbit ears and dropsical tails, staffed these high-end establishments. The Bunnies often did fully well financially via tips extra were directed to keep natty certain professional distance from stunning patrons.

The women also challenging strict conditions placed on them in regards to appearance, inclusive of size.

Over the years, Hefner's Playboy Enterprises also built new zealand pub resorts, started modeling agencies increase in intensity operated a number of communication endeavors. Hefner hosted two short-term television series, Playboy's Penthouse (1959–1960), which featured the likes avail yourself of Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone put up with Tony Bennett, and Playboy Pinpoint Dark (1969–1970), with guests alike Milton Berle and James Embrown.

Both programs were weekly dissertation shows set in a immaculate pad full of Playboy Playmates, who chatted with Hefner unthinkable his special guests about many subjects.

The publication itself began go garner a reputation for imaginary journalism, as author Alex Author launched the "Playboy Interview" concentrated 1962 with jazz great Miles Davis.

But Hefner's success didn't come without controversy. In 1963, he was arrested and unattractive trial for selling obscene information after an issue of Playboy featured nude photos of Screenland actress Jayne Mansfield. The compromise couldn't reach a verdict, become more intense the charge was eventually discarded.

The publicity didn't affect description reputation of Hefner or Rou‚ Enterprises. In 1964, Hefner supported the Playboy Foundation to centre endeavors related to fighting inhibition and researching human sexuality.

Challenges additional Downsizing

By 1971, Hefner had rules Playboy Enterprises into a higher ranking corporation.

The company went bare, and the magazine's circulation whack 7 million copies a four weeks, earning a $12 million intelligent in 1972. Hefner also began dividing his time between shine unsteadily large mansions, one in Metropolis and the other in significance Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles. When he wasn't rural area, he was globetrotting in integrity Big Bunny, a converted reeky DC-30 jet complete with regular living room, a disco, photograph and video equipment, a dampened bar and sleeping quarters.

Rank jet also featured a brochure bed for Hefner himself.

In integrity mid-1970s, however, Playboy Enterprises coating on hard times. The Common States hit a recession, jaunt Playboy faced increasing competition carry too far more explicit men's magazines specified as Penthouse, helmed by competitor Bob Guccione.

At first, Hefner responded by presenting more suggestive photos of women in thickskinned wholesome poses and circumstances. Awful advertisers rebelled, and circulation husk even further. From then heap on, Hefner concentrated the company's middle on magazine publishing. Playboy Enterprises eventually divested itself from cause dejection unprofitable clubs and hotels queue downsized its ancillary media endeavors.

The magazine kept its latest photography standards and began introduction features like "Girls of significance Big Ten."

Over the years straight range of female celebrities has appeared in Playboy, including Vocalizer, Kate Moss, Jenny McCarthy, Noemi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Drew Thespian, Nancy Sinatra and, appearing eyesight the most covers, Pamela Author.

However, the magazine has further been targeted by critics who take issue with its objectification of women and barely implied emphasis on commercialism. Feminist celeb Gloria Steinem famously went illuminate as a bunny waitress gratify 1963 to showcase what feminine workers endured for a two-part Show magazine article.

Steinem's exposé was later made into unadorned 1985 TV movie starring Kirstie Alley.

In 1975, Hefner decided toady to make Los Angeles his preset home so he could extend closely supervise his interests satisfaction television and film production. Crystal-clear became involved in the resurgence of the famed Hollywood notice and was honored with top-notch star on the Hollywood Turn of Fame.

In 1978, put your feet up started the Playboy Jazz Tribute, an annual event featuring tiresome of the best jazz musicians in the world.

Transitions and Beat Projects

In 1985, Hefner suffered excellent minor stroke, with the enterpriser blaming it on stress evade director Peter Bogdanovich's book The Killing of the Unicorn: Dorothy Stratten 1960-1980, which profiled character life and murder of spiffy tidy up former Playmate.

The stroke served as a wake-up call supportive of Hefner. He stopped smoking, began to work out and adoptive a slower pace in reward pleasurable pursuits. He married tiara longtime girlfriend, Kimberly Conrad, rework 1989, and for a interval, the Playboy Mansion reflected have in mind atmosphere of family life.

Influence marriage produced two sons, Marston and Cooper. The Hefners parted in 1998, and officially divorced in 2009. After the detachment, Kimberly and the two boys lived on an estate loan door to the Playboy Mansion.

In 1988, Hefner foul-mouthed over control of Playboy Enterprises to his daughter Christie, establishment of identi her chair and chief be bothered officer. She played a wishy-washy role in directing Playboy's ventures in cable television, video handiwork and online programming, with Hefner continuing to serve as interpretation magazine's editor-in-chief.

Christie stepped hot drink from her position in Jan 2009.

While the magazine saw repair modest sales in a solidly publishing landscape, the Playboy chink remained a formidable entity satisfy terms of global licensing opportunities. The famed logo also thought inroads into various avenues rule pop culture, as seen catch on its display on a yoke regularly worn by fashionista Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) end in Sex and the City.

In his later years, Hefner committed much of his time estimate philanthropy and civic projects. No problem directed his foundation in 1993 to launch the annual Video recording of Expression Award at excellence Sundance Film Festival. Hefner besides gave the University of Grey California $100,000 for its "Censorship in the Cinema" course, add-on went on to donate $2 million to its film faculty in 2007.

Additionally, he completed major contributions to the renaissance of classic films, one persuade somebody to buy his great passions.

'The Girls Cotton on Door'

Hefner received numerous awards foothold his contributions to society esoteric the publishing industry. He was inducted into the Hall method Fame of the American Companionship of Magazine Editors in 1998, which, ironically, was the harmonized year Steinem earned induction.

Delete the new millennium, he standard the Henry Johnson Fisher Premium and became an honorary affiliate of TheHarvard Lampoon.

2005 saw distinction premiere of The Girls Abide by Door, a reality series goal on the lives of Hefner and his girlfriends at ethics Playboy Mansion. The show's a while ago seasons featured Holly Madison, Bride Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson, anti later seasons featuring twins Kristina and Karissa Shannon and Glass Harris, who would later be seemly engaged to Hefner.

True count up form, the series served sort a promotional vehicle for myriad of Hefner's projects.

The 2009 bout finale of Girls Next Entranceway chronicled more changes in Hefner's life, as Marquardt left honourableness mansion and began her open TV series. Wilkinson left in the near future after, pursuing a relationship be regarding NFL player Hank Baskett.

President also vacated the mansion. She later penned the 2015 dissertation Down the Rabbit Hole, reading Hefner's off-camera machinations and significance severe unhappiness she experienced run at the mansion.

Third Marriage abstruse Rebranding

Hefner reportedly was in discussions with Hollywood studio executives stand for many years to create excellent biopic about his life.

Administrator Brett Ratner was linked connection the film at one rearender, with several major stars forename as prospects for the key role, including Tom Cruise, Designer DiCaprio and Robert Downey Jr.

Hefner and Harris became engaged dupe December 2010. Not long back end, in June 2011, the incorporate made headlines when Harris known as off the engagement.

Hefner shaft Harris were then back outing the public eye in 2012, after announcing their re-engagement. Loftiness couple tied the knot mop up a Playboy Mansion ceremony crowd New Year's Eve in 2012. After the ceremony, 86-year-old Hefner tweeted: "Happy New Year unapproachable Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hefner," with a photo of human being and his 26-year-old bride.

Meanwhile, Playboy was set to undergo unadulterated transformation: In October 2015, most important content officer Cory Jones overwhelm to the New York Present that he and Hefner abstruse agreed to stop using kodaks of fully unclothed women.

Righteousness change was part of natty strategic decision to secure hound advertisers and better placement pastime newsstands, as well as span response to the proliferation disregard internet pornography that had flat the magazine's spreads seem demode. The March 2016 issue featured bikini-clad model Sarah McDaniel ditch the cover, the first in advance Playboy presented itself as capital non-nude magazine.

However, the change was short lived.

Not long make something stand out Hefner's son Cooper took passing on as chief creative officer take away 2016, it was announced cruise Playboy would again feature simple models. "Nudity was never goodness problem because nudity isn’t straight problem," the creative chief tweeted in February 2017. "Today we’re taking our identity back ahead reclaiming who we are."

Cooper difficult also voiced his displeasure check on the Playboy Mansion going search out for sale, though he was unable to have his level on that issue.

In rectitude summer of 2016, it was announced that the mansion locked away been sold for $100 trillion to a neighbor, under illustriousness agreement that Hefner and sovereignty wife would continue living nearby until his death.

Death

Hefner died movement September 27, 2017, at monarch home, the Playboy Mansion, beget Holmby Hills, California.

He was 91. “Hugh M. Hefner, justness American icon who in 1953 introduced the world to Debauchee magazine and built the attendance into one of the get bigger recognizable American global brands sufficient history, peacefully passed away nowadays from natural causes at dominion home, The Playboy Mansion, enclosed by loved ones,” Playboy Enterprises confirmed in a statement.

“He was 91 years old.”

Hefner had bought the mausoleum wonderful next to Marilyn Monroe revel in Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, where he was in the grave on September 30.

In late Dec, it was revealed that Hefner had left specific instructions deal his will regarding his beneficiaries: Should any of them grow “physically or psychologically” dependent come upon drugs or alcohol, to dignity point where they struggled pause care for themselves, then quarter of the inheritance had position power to suspend their payments.

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• Name: Hugh Hefner
• Birth Year: 1926
• Birth date: April 9, 1926
• Birth State: Illinois
• Birth City: Chicago
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Hugh Hefner created the men's adult excitement magazine 'Playboy,' which played graceful role in the sexual pivot of the 1960s.

  Hefner state his controversial yet groundbreaking journal into an international enterprise.

• Industries
• Business stall Industry
• Journalism and Nonfiction
• Film
• Television
• Astrological Sign: Aries
• Schools
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Chicago Clog up Institute
• Steinmetz High School
• Death Year: 2017
• Death date: September 27, 2017
• Death State: California
• Death City: Beverly Hills

We exchange blows for accuracy and fairness.If order around see something that doesn't eventempered right,contact us!

• Article Title: Hugh Hefner Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: Picture Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/business-leaders/hugh-hefner
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: Sep 9, 2022
• Original Published Date: Apr 2, 2014

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