CULTURE

Hollywood Pays Tribute to Playboy Founder and "True Legend" Hugh Hefner

9:12 PM PDT 9/27/2017 by THR Staff

"Thank you for being a revolutionary and changing so many people's lives, especially mine. I hope I made you proud."

Hugh Hefner, the iconic founder of Playboy, died Wednesday at the age of 91 of natural causes. 

In addition to his Playboy legacy, Hefner also co-produced hundreds of Playboy-branded videos and a few feature films, including Roman Polanski’s Macbeth and the Monty Python film And Now for Something Completely Different. He more recently appeared on television shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage and Sex and the City as well as in animated shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy.

Following word of his death, Hefner's family, friends, Playmates past and present as well as Hollywood figures took to social media to share their condolences.

Hefner's son, Cooper, who is also chief creative officer of Playboy, said in a statement, "My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom."

Playmate and actress Jenny McCarthy tweeted, "Thank you for being a revolutionary and changing so many people's lives, especially mine. I hope I made you proud."

Actor Rob Lowe also tweeted that he had had a number of great conversations with Hefner over the years. "Was such an interesting man. True legend. What an end of an era," he said.

Read more statements and reactions below.

 

Goodbye #Hef Mr Hefner I have so many thoughts, I have no brain n right now to edit I am me because of you You taught me everything important about freedom and respect. Outside of my family You were the most important person in my life. You gave me my life... People tell me all the time That I was your favorite... I'm in such deep shock. But you were old, your back hurt you so much. Last time I saw you You were using a walker. You didn't want me to see. You couldn't hear. You had a piece of paper in your pocket you showed me - with my name Pamela with a heart around it. Now, I'm falling apart. This feeling is so crazy. It's raining in Paris now. I'm by the window. Everything anyone loves about me is because you understood me. Accepted me and encouraged me to be myself. Love like no one else. Live recklessly With unfiltered abandon. You said the magazine was about a girl like me. That I embody the spirit you fantasized about. I was the one. You said. I can hear you say - Be brave. There are no rules. Live your life I'm proud of you. There are no mistakes. And with men - Enjoy ... (Your wonderful laugh) You have the world by the tail You are a good girl And you are so loved - You are not crazy. You are wild and free Stay strong, Stay vulnerable. ... "It's movie time" You loved my boys ... You were always, always there for us. With your love Your crazy wisdom. I will miss your everything. Thank you for making the world a better place. A freeer and sexier place. You were a gentleman charming, elegant, chivalrous And so much fun. Goodbye Hef ... Your Pamela

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