The man credited for sparking a cultural revolution and sexual freedom, has passed, to the sorrow of many men who as boys would read his magazine, “for the articles”. Hugh Hefner passed away September 27th, at his home in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California at the age of 91. 

Hefner launched Playboy in December 1953 after leaving Esquire magazine because he was denied a $5 raise. He borrowed approximately $8000 and started the magazine, and published Marylin Monroe’s nude calendar shoot from 1949. It sold 50,000 copies. On June 4, 1963, Hefner was arrested on a charge of promoting obscene literature after featuring nude shots of actress Jayne Mansfield.  The case went to trial and resulted in a hung jury. 

Hefner also did some acting, portraying himself in The Simpson’s in the 1993 episode “Krusty Gets Kancelled” and then again with Seth Green’s Robot Chicken on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has done reality TV and movies cameos such as 2009’s Miss March, which won him a Razzie Award for worst supporting actor.

Hefner was also a philanthropist, helping to create the Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award with Christie Hefner to to honor individuals who have made significant contributions in the vital effort to protect and enhance First Amendment rights for Americans. As well as donating $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.