Magazine Publisher, Humanitarian andPolitical Activist, Hugh Hefner passed away recently. Hefner known for his groundbreaking men’s magazine, “Playboy” was one of the vehicles to usher in sexual liberation movement of the 1960’s and beyond.
Born during the depression and from a self-described Conservative family, Hefner on to serve in US Army as a writer for a military newspaper.
He would later graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BA in Psychology and a double minor in creative writing and art.
Hefner was brilliant student completing his studies in tow and a half years.
He then got a job writing for Esquire Magazine, but later quit after being denied a request for a $5 raise.
He started Playboy Magazine, which was originally going to be called Stag Party, remember this was the early 50’s folks, mortgaging a bank loan of $600.00 and raising $8,000 from investors including his Mother, who believed in him.
The first issue published in December included 1949 a nude calendar shoot of an unknown Marilyn Monroe and sold over 50,000 copies
Playboy was considered by many a magazine for the hip, liberal, and erudite. Although known for the nude manly topless centerfold models, the magazine would feature interviews with Politicians, Musicians and other events in Pop culture of the era.
Some of the stories the magazine generated controversy even among it’s readers.
Writer Charles Beaumont’s Science fiction short story, “The Crooked Man” which was rejected by Esquire Magazine was published by Playboy in 1955.
The story was about a world where homosexuality for the norm and straight men were persecuted.
Responding to an outcry of angry readers, Hefner’s response was’ “If it’s wrong to persecute heterosexuals in a homosexual world then the reverse is wrong too”.
He would later open the Playboy Club in Chicago, that would feature Musicians and comedians to include the late Dick Gregory who would later credit his career launch.
Playboy would continue being on the vanguard in Journalism in the 60’s by sending Alex Haley to interview George Lincoln Rockwell. Rockwell who founded the American Nazi Party and to many was the “American Hitler” After assuring Rockwell that Haley was not Jewish did he consent to the interview. However, throughout the interview Rockwell kept a handgun on the table.
Also for Playboy in the 60’s Haley would interview Malcom X in 1963, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1966 for the “Playboy Interview”.
Hefner would broaden his enterprise with the groundbreaking Playboy After Dark TV show in the 60’s which would be a Party atmosphere featuring musicians and pop stars of the day.
He also adapted the persona of the suave man about town with a bevy of beauties pursuing him. This came about after Hefner found out that his then wife confessed to infidelity while he was away in the Army.Feeling guilt-ridden she encouraged Hef to indulge in extra marital affairs to save their marriage.
The couple would later divorce a year and a half later. Hefner would begin romantic relationships with many of his Playboy Bunnies for short or medium term relations with some resulting in marriage.
As the times progressed the magazine changed with the times and Hefner interests became broader. He was an advocate of Free speech, became more Political but identified himself as an Independent citing his disillusion with both parties.
He even donated 1000,00 to the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts to create a course called “Censorship In Cinema” and 2 million dollars to endow a chair for the study of American film
In the mid-80’s he suffered a stroke in which he re-assessed his direction. The Playboy Mansion, reputed for hedonism and debauchery became more family friendly with children running around. He would go on to sell the Mansion in 2016.
Hefner passed away at his home in Los Angeles on September 27, 2017 from multiple organ failure.
