Hollywood Pays Tribute to Playboy Founder and "True Legend" Hugh Hefner
"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.
RIP #Hef Thank you for being a revolutionary and changing so many people's lives, especially mine. I hope I made you proud. #PMOY 94 pic.twitter.com/sF9ARYgEpw
— Jenny McCarthy (@JennyMcCarthy) September 28, 2017
I had a number of great conversations and with Hugh Hefner. Was such an interesting man. True legend. What an end of an era!
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) September 28, 2017
If you were raised without a mom Hugh Hefner probably changed your life. Champion of great writing & freedom of speech & always kind to me.
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) September 28, 2017
We’ve lost a true explorer, a man who had a keen sense of the future. We learned a lot from you Mr. Hefner. #HughHefner
— Norman Lear (@TheNormanLear) September 28, 2017
RIP to the legendary Hugh Hefner! I’m so honored to have been a part of the Playboy team! You will be greatly missed! Love you Hef! Xoxo
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) September 28, 2017
Paris & I are reminiscing about the Playboy parties at the mansion & how much we love Hef. She’s texts me the perfect Hef emojis
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) September 28, 2017
1st met him months B4 #SW opened-Expected stereotyped swinger/wildman not the kind-thoughtful loyal friend he always was to ML & me #RIPHef pic.twitter.com/r5Jbyg9TMH
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) September 28, 2017
So saddened by @hughhefner' s passing - whatever you think of the magazine, he was smart, an entrepreneur & one of the nicest men I've met.
— Adam Richman (@AdamRichman) September 28, 2017
Hugh Hefner put me in Playboy & ignited my career. I am forever indebted, Hef. You will forever live on as an icon of epic proportions. #RIP
— Donna D'Errico (@DonnaDErrico) September 28, 2017
Every grown man that had a Playboy collection as an adolescent upon the news of Hugh Hefner's death pic.twitter.com/dpPUrqAyYp
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 28, 2017
A great man, entrepreneur and innovator. Your legacy lives on. #Hef pic.twitter.com/36cRzlUPRw
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) September 28, 2017
RIP @hughhefner thank you for making me part of the Playboy family. Sending lots of love and prayers to @crystalhefner
— Heidi Montag (@heidimontag) September 28, 2017
My condolences to the Hefner family. If anyone lived life to the fullest, it was Hugh! My thoughts & prayers are with his friends & family
— RJ Mitte (@RjMitte) September 28, 2017
Today the world lost a legend. #HughHefner started my career. For 22 yrs I got to wish him happy new year at his mansion. I’ll miss him. pic.twitter.com/4Aowa1g44z
— Ron Jeremy (@RealRonJeremy) September 28, 2017
Hugh Hefner died tonight. Sources say he will be buried in a special coffin that folds out into a larger glossier one.
— The Sklar Brothers (@SklarBrothers) September 28, 2017
As per his wishes, Hugh Hefner’s body will be left in a fort in the woods for other kids to find & pass around.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 28, 2017
RIP HF. Few did more for writers, inc myself, breaking boundaries and helping Lenny fight for his 1st Amend Rights. pic.twitter.com/Vi4iDgYdCn
— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) September 28, 2017
Hefner. A giant of cultural influence.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) September 28, 2017
RIP to a man who absolutely carpéd the heck out of the diem: Hugh Hefner.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) September 28, 2017
Hugh Hefner was a GIANT in publishing, journalism, free speech & civil rights. He was a true original, and he was my friend. Rest well Hef. pic.twitter.com/bJ1wxoK4gR
— Larry King (@kingsthings) September 28, 2017
So sad to hear the news about @HughHefner. #RIPHef pic.twitter.com/IQiEYhMfvf
— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) September 28, 2017
R.I.P. Hugh Hefner The American Icon who in 1953 introduced the world 2 Playboy mag and built… https://t.co/ZTbEYG8WLh
— Carmen Electra (@carmenelectra) September 28, 2017
RIP to an Icon of all Icons. My good friend and founder of Playboy @hughhefner #GameChanger
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) September 28, 2017
Thank you Hugh Hefner for being a defender of civil rights, a champion of free speech, and of course, all the boners
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) September 28, 2017
— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) September 28, 2017
Hugh Hefner and I may not have a shared perspective on, you know, stuff BUT he was so lovely on the Playboy Mansion episode of Cesar Millan
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 28, 2017
Just woke up to the news that Hugh Hefner died. I think I just assumed he would live forever. #RIPHughHefner
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) September 28, 2017
Hack editorial cartoonists have a tough decision about whether or not to put Hef at the Pearly Gates.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) September 28, 2017
Thank you for all of your thoughts and condolences guys.
— Kendra Wilkinson (@KendraWilkinson) September 28, 2017
Can't really put in to words how I really feel. It's easy to say he will be missed and how much I loved him. There's a lot more than that
— Kendra Wilkinson (@KendraWilkinson) September 28, 2017
So sad but forever grateful for all the wonderful memories and amazing experiences #RIPHef #Playboy pic.twitter.com/RkHje7h0Un
— Bridget Marquardt (@Bridget) September 28, 2017
Hugh Hefner was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement. We shall never forget him. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/oL3lKLZRQ5
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) September 28, 2017
Hugh Hefner’s definition of obscenity:
— bob saget (@bobsaget) September 28, 2017
“Racism, war, bigotry, but sex itself, no. What a sad cold world this would be if we weren’t sexual beings...I mean, that’s the heart of who we are.”
One of the nicest men I've ever known. Godspeed, Hugh Hefner. pic.twitter.com/457cchqskO
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) September 28, 2017
I'm am honored that I had the privilege to be apart of the Playboy world! It was a magical time in my life.We'll miss you #RIPHughHefner
— Coco (@cocosworld) September 28, 2017
Its hard to believe @hughhefner passed. He had such an amazing life I thought he'd live forever! We was such a cool laid back guy. #RIPHef
— Coco (@cocosworld) September 28, 2017
Met @hughhefner while screening the pilot episode of The Playboy Club at the mansion w/ my dad and he couldn't have been more lovely. RIPpic.twitter.com/1LDvqTNYXy
— Jenna Dewan Tatum (@jennadewan) September 28, 2017