Hugh Marston “Hef” Hefner (born April 9, 1926) is an American magazine publisher, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Playboy Enterprises.
Graduated from Steinmetz High School (Chicago, IL). As a child often visited the now demolished Mont Clare Theatre in Chicago. Graduated from the University of Illinois.
Creator and publisher of Playboy Magazine.
Has a species of rabbit named in his honor (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri).
Older brother of Keith Hefner.
Originally worked on the publishing staff of “Child Life” magazine.
First magazine publisher to become a major celebrity.
Arrested in Chicago, Illinois, USA in 1963 for possessing “indecent” photos of actress Jayne Mansfield in 1963′s movie, Promises! Promises! (1963).
Created the world-famous Playboy Mansion of Los Angeles in 1971.
Hefner had a Genius IQ of 152 in H.S., but was described as an “unenthusiastic” student.
Parents Glenn Hefner and Grace Hefner were from Phelps County, Nebraska.
Served in the U.S. Army in WWII after graduating from Steinmetz H.S. in Chicago, IL (1944).
At one time owned a 119-foot long DC-9 jet called the “Big Bunny”. The jet was painted black with the well known white playboy bunny logo on its tail. It was equipped with a galley, living room, disco, movie and video equipment, wet bar and sleeping quarters for 16 guests.
Hefner and Jenna Jameson share the same birthday (April 9th).
Marilyn Monroe was the centerfold in the very first issue of his Playboy Magazine in December 1953. This was the only issue to name its playmate “Sweetheart of the Month”. In the March 1965 issue, Playboy Magazine featured the first African-American centerfold: Jennifer Jackson. Playboy Magazine was originally going to be titled “Stag Party”.
Plays a major role in the James Bond short story “A Midsummer Night’s Doom” by Raymond Benson.
Pictured on a souvenir sheet issued by Grenada & the Grenadines on 1 December 2003, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Playboy Magazine. Six stamps in the sheet feature various Playboy covers, including the first issue with Marilyn Monroe and the May 1964 cover with Playmate of the Year Donna Michelle.
Is portrayed by Mitch Ryan in Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story (1981) (TV), by Cliff Robertson in Star 80 (1983) and by Randall Batinkoff in Hefner: Unauthorized (1999) (TV).
Claims to be a direct descendant of pilgrim leader William Bradford.
A brass plaque over the front door of his Chicago mansion reads, “Si Non Oscillas, Noli Tintinnare”, which roughly translates from Latin as “If You Don’t Swing, Don’t Ring”.
A full-size replica of him is on display at the Madame Tussaud’s Interactive Wax Museum at the Venetian Casino/Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unlike the other models, Hefner’s likeness is not wax, but rather silicone.
In 1988 turned his empire over to his daughter Christie Hefner.
Was raised by rigid Methodist parents. His mother was one of the 45 investors Hefner recruited to launch “Playboy.”
Adamantly against drug use, and refuses to allow them in any of his houses. Anyone caught doing drugs at any Playboy Mansion is subject to immediate and permanent expulsion.
Owns the burial vault next to Marilyn Monroe’s. She is interred at Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California, USA, in the Corridor of Memories, crypt #24.
Children: Christie Hefner (born on Saturday, November 8th, 1952) and David Paul Hefner, (born on Tuesday, August 30th, 1955) by Mildred Williams; Cooper Hefner and Marston Hefner by Kimberley Conrad. David owns a computer consulting firm.
Used to work for Esquire magazine. He left to found Playboy after being denied a pay raise of $5 a week.
In 2005, Hugh attempted to create and Indian version of Playboy for India, which would feature South Asian women and Indian pop culture articles, but no nudity. He wanted to have Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai on the cover of the first issue. The magazine was rejected.
He grew up in the Montclare neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.
Has a round-the-clock kitchen staff to serve him his meals on a tray in bed. He also has his own drawer of cookies in the Playboy Mansion’s kitchen.
Personally interviewed every “Girl of the Month” in his magazine’s 50-plus years.
Has had legal battles with Hustler Magazine, over his photo collections.
Magazine mogul “Jerry Caesar” from Dragnet (1987) is based partly on him and Larry Flynt.
Mentioned by Arsenio Hall (as Rev. Brown) in Coming to America (1988) while giving a sermon.
Lived with Barbi Benton [1969-1976].
Formerly engaged to Crystal Harris. Harris called off the engagement days before their wedding in June 2011, but Hefner allowed her to keep her engagement ring and customized Bentley. [December 26, 2010].
Former father-in-law of William A. Marovitz.
