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54-550: PLBY Group, Inc. is an American global media and lifestyle company founded by Hugh Hefner as Playboy Enterprises, Inc. to oversee the Playboy magazine and related assets. Its headquarters are in Los Angeles , California . The company is focused on four primary business lines: Sexual Wellness, Style & Apparel, Gaming and Lifestyle, and Beauty & Grooming. Today, PLBY Group, together with its subsidiaries, engages in
108-502: A United States Army writer for a military newspaper. Hefner graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a double minor in creative writing and art, having earned his degree in two and a half years. After graduation, he took a semester of graduate courses in sociology at Northwestern University , but dropped out soon after. In January 1952, Hefner left his job as
162-444: A bon vivant lifestyle in his magazine and in the television shows that he hosted, Playboy's Penthouse (1959–1960) and Playboy After Dark (1969–1970). He was also the chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises , the publishing group which operates the magazine. On June 4, 1963, Hefner was arrested for promoting obscene literature after he published an issue of Playboy featuring nude shots of Jayne Mansfield in bed with
216-737: A "very minimalistic, deistic view of God ." Hefner donated $ 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. In 2007, the university's audiovisual archive at the Norris Theater received a donation from Hefner and was renamed to the Hugh M. Hefner Moving Image Archive in his honor. Both through his charitable foundation and individually, Hefner also contributed to charities and other organizations outside
270-652: A 1949 nude calendar shoot she did under a pseudonym. That first issue sold more than 50,000 copies, but Monroe was not paid by Playboy or Hefner for the photos. (Hefner never met Monroe, but he bought the crypt next to hers at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in 1992 for $ 75,000.) Esquire magazine rejected Charles Beaumont 's science fiction story "The Crooked Man" in 1955, so Hefner agreed to publish it in Playboy. The story highlighted straight men being persecuted in
324-640: A 7.3 acre (3-hectare) compound as his own private residence. In May 2017, Eugena Washington was the last Playmate of the Year to be announced by Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion . Hefner debated The Playboy Philosophy with William F. Buckley Jr. , on Firing Line in Episode 26, recorded on September 12, 1966. The Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award was created by Christie Hefner "to honor individuals who have made significant contributions in
378-641: A casino in Nassau, Bahamas , from 1978 to 1982. From 1981 to 1984, the company was a partner in the Playboy Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey . Playboy Enterprises was denied a permanent New Jersey gaming license and was forced to sell out to its partner, which changed the name of the hotel/casino to the Atlantis Hotel and Casino. The company returned to the nightlife business with
432-667: A club in Shanghai, once in 2004, and again in 2017. In May 2015, Playboy signed a 10-year licensing agreement with Handong United to manufacture and distribute fashion apparel. In December 2019, Playboy Enterprises acquired the online retailer Yandy for an undisclosed sum. In February 2021, PLBY announced the acquisition of the sexual wellness retailer Lovers for $ 25m in cash. In June 2021, PLBY Group acquired Australian-based lingerie chain Honey Birdette for US$ 333 million in cash and stock. In October 2021 PLBY Group acquired Dream,
486-495: A copywriter for Esquire after he was denied a $ 5 raise. In 1953, he took out a mortgage loan of $ 600 and raised $ 8,000 from 45 investors (including $ 1,000 from his mother—"not because she believed in the venture," he told E! in 2006, "but because she believed in her son") to launch Playboy , which was initially going to be called Stag Party . The first issue was published in December 1953 and featured Marilyn Monroe from
540-500: A few of his many lovers; Leigh filed a $ 35 million palimony suit against him. In 1971, he acknowledged that he experimented in bisexuality. Also in 1971, he established a second residence in Los Angeles with the acquisition of Playboy Mansion West, and moved there permanently from Chicago in 1975. On March 7, 1985, Hefner had a minor stroke at age 58, whereupon he re-evaluated his lifestyle, making several changes. He toned down
594-475: A lawsuit against her for calling him a "pimp". Defending her position, Moore argued that "he was a man who bought and sold women to other men". She further stated that "part of Hefner's business acumen was to make the selling of female flesh respectable and hip, to make soft porn acceptable." Julie Bindel argued in The Independent that Hefner "caused immeasurable damage by turning porn—and therefore
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#1732793078455648-409: A man present. The case went to trial and resulted in a hung jury . In the 1960s, Hefner created "private key" clubs that were racially diverse. During the civil rights movement in 1966, Hefner sent Alex Haley to interview American Nazi Party founder George Lincoln Rockwell , much to Rockwell's shock because Haley was black. Rockwell agreed to meet with Haley only after gaining assurance that he
702-604: A memo to employees about her efforts to streamline the company's operations, including eliminating its DVD division and laying off staff. In March 2011, founder Hugh Hefner succeeded in a bid to take Playboy Enterprises private after 40 years as a publicly traded company . He partnered with private equity firm Rizvi Traverse . Playboy Enterprises closed its former headquarters in the top office floors of 680 N. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois , in April 2012. In January 2013,
756-579: A memoir where she alleged she experienced a hostile environment while at the Playboy Mansion , even claiming that she was "imprisoned" while there. The Amazon original series American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story was released in April 2017. It stars Matt Whelan in the title role, along with Emmett Skilton and Chelsie Preston Crayford . The ten episodes are a combination of interviews, archival footage (including moments found in Hefner's vast personal collection), and cinematic re-enactments that cover
810-438: A publication with revealing photographs and articles. Hefner extended the Playboy brand into a world network of Playboy Clubs . He also resided in luxury mansions where Playboy Playmates shared his wild partying life, fueling media interest. Hefner was born in Chicago , on April 9, 1926, the first child of Glenn Lucius Hefner (1896–1976), an accountant, and his wife Grace Caroline (Swanson) Hefner (1895–1997) who worked as
864-828: A reverse merger with Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). On February 11, 2021, PLBY Group, Inc. completed its merger and began trading on the Nasdaq stock market under the PLBY ticker. PLBY Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Playboy Enterprises, is headed by Ben Kohn, chief executive officer, president and director. The company has three reportable segments: Licensing, which includes licensing of Playboy brands to third parties; Direct-to-Consumer, including sales of third-party products through its owned-and-operated e-commerce platforms; and Digital Subscriptions and Content, including
918-413: A social content platform that provides creators with tools to interact directly with their fans. This acquisition was used to support the launch of Playboys creator community Centerfold.com that went live on December 20, 2021. Hugh Hefner Hugh Marston Hefner (April 9, 1926 – September 27, 2017) was an American magazine publisher. He was the founder and editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine,
972-538: A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for television and made several movie appearances as himself. In 2009, he was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor for his performance as himself in Miss March . On his official Twitter account, he joked about this nomination: "Maybe I didn't understand the character." Brigitte Berman's documentary Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel
1026-702: A state of drug-induced stupor or unconsciousness, spying, videotaping without consent, and illegal sex with minors by Hefner and his celebrity friends and guests at the Playboy Mansion and other locations. The PLBY group , now publicly owned, distanced itself from Hefner in a statement released shortly before the first episode was broadcast, saying, "Today's Playboy is not Hugh Hefner's Playboy. We trust and validate these women and their stories and we strongly support those individuals who have come forward to share their experiences." In January 2024, Hefner's widow Crystal, who previously brushed away criticism, wrote
1080-493: A teacher. His parents were from Nebraska . He had a younger brother, Keith (1929–2016). His mother was of Swedish ancestry, and his father was German and English. Through his father's line, Hefner was a descendant of Plymouth governor William Bradford . He described his family as "conservative, Midwestern, [and] Methodist ". His mother had wanted him to become a missionary. He attended Sayre Elementary School and Steinmetz High School , then served from 1944 to 1946 as
1134-458: A voice-only appearance as himself in the 2011 film Hop . In 2012, Hefner announced that his youngest son Cooper would succeed him as the public face of Playboy . Hefner was known to friends and family simply as "Hef". He married Northwestern University student Mildred ("Millie") Williams in 1949. They had a daughter named Christie (b. 1952) and a son, David (b. 1955). Before the wedding, Mildred confessed that she'd had an affair while he
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#17327930784551188-413: A wide range of consumer products including apparel, accessories, footwear, lingerie, jewelry, fragrances and home fashions." Its licensed products generate "more than $ 3 billion in global sales in more than 180 countries." The company's trademarks and copyrights are critical to the success and potential growth of its business as "Playboy is one of the most recognized, celebrated and popular consumer brands in
1242-631: A world where homosexuality was the norm. The magazine received angry letters, so Hefner responded, "If it was wrong to persecute heterosexuals in a homosexual society then the reverse was wrong, too." In 1961, Hefner watched Dick Gregory perform at the Herman Roberts Show Bar in Chicago, and he hired Gregory to work at the Chicago Playboy Club. Gregory attributed the launch of his career to that night. Hefner promoted
1296-736: The Playboy Club at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas , which opened in 2006 and closed in 2012. Other Playboy Clubs opened in Cancun, Macau, and London in 2010 and 2011. Meanwhile, the company said it would open at least three Playboy stores in each of the next three years. In 1959, the company formed Alta Loma Entertainment (formerly Playboy Productions from 1959 to 1988, and Alta Loma Productions from 1988 to 1999), to produce movies and television shows. The first project
1350-405: The Playboy Mansion was put on the market for $ 200 million, on condition that Hugh Hefner would continue to work and live in the mansion. Later that year it was sold to Daren Metropoulos, a principal at private equity firm Metropoulos & Company, for $ 100 million. Metropoulos planned to reconnect the Playboy Mansion property with a neighboring estate that he purchased in 2009, combining the two for
1404-583: The Playboy Mansion. In October 2008, all three of them decided to leave the mansion. In January 2009, Hefner began a relationship with Crystal Harris ; she joined the Shannon Twins after his previous "number one girlfriend" Holly Madison had ended their seven-year relationship. On December 24, 2010, he became engaged to Harris, but she broke off their engagement on June 14, 2011, five days before their planned wedding. The July issue of Playboy reached store shelves and customers' homes within days of
1458-544: The aesthetic notion that images of women—and women themselves—exist to please men." Hefner's former girlfriend Holly Madison said that he "would encourage competition—and body image issues—between his multiple live-in girlfriends. His legacy is full of evidence of the exploitation of women for professional gain." Ed Stetzer wrote in Christianity Today that Hefner would have the residence systematically cleaned whenever Christie Hefner visited in order "to keep
1512-544: The age of 91. The cause was sepsis brought on by an E. coli infection. He is interred at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, in the crypt beside Marilyn Monroe , for which he paid $ 75,000 in 1992. "Spending eternity next to Marilyn is an opportunity too sweet to pass up," Hefner had told the Los Angeles Times in 2009. Suzanne Moore wrote in The Guardian that Hefner threatened to file
1566-642: The buying and selling of women's bodies—into a legitimate business." Robin Abcarian wrote in the Los Angeles Times , quoting Wendy Hamilton , that Hefner "probably did more to mainstream the exploitation of women's bodies than any other figure in American history," adding that he "managed to convince many women that taking off their clothes for men's pleasure was not just empowering, but a worthy goal in itself." She further stated that Hefner "embodied
1620-528: The company said it employed 165. In 2018, less than a year after Hugh Hefner's death, his estate sold its remaining Playboy shares of 33%, worth $ 35 million, to Icon Acquisition Holdings LP. The money was split between Hefner's widow and his four children. In March 2020, CEO Ben Kohn announced that the Spring issue of the magazine would be the last to be printed, and the publication would be online-only going forward. In October 2020, Playboy Enterprises announced
1674-401: The development and distribution of content, products and high-profile events that embody both "eroticism and fine art", and apparel retailing. It is in the top twenty most licensed brands globally. Sales of Playboy magazine peaked in 1972 at over 7 million copies. By 2015, the circulation had fallen to 800,000. The company completed its shift to consumer products in 2020 with the shuttering of
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1728-420: The film at any point were false. Playboy Foundation The Playboy Foundation is a corporate-giving organization that provides grants to non-profit groups involved in fighting censorship and researching human sexuality . It gives grants and in-kind contributions, such as advertising space in the Playboy magazine to organizations concerned with US First Amendment freedoms. The Playboy Foundation
1782-740: The house next door to the mansion. Hefner filed for divorce from Conrad in 2009 after an 11-year separation, citing irreconcilable differences. He stated that he only remained nominally married to her for the sake of their children, and their youngest child had just turned 18. The divorce was finalized in 2010. Hefner became known for moving an ever-changing coterie of young women into the Playboy Mansion, including twins Mandy and Sandy Bentley . He dated as many as seven women concurrently . He also dated Brande Roderick , Izabella St. James , Tina Marie Jordan , Holly Madison , Bridget Marquardt , and Kendra Wilkinson . Madison, Wilkinson, and Marquardt appeared on The Girls Next Door depicting their lives at
1836-470: The image of God. If this does not concern us, what will? A 12-part television documentary series, Secrets of Playboy , debuted on A&E January 24, 2022, in which Hefner's former male and female employees and partners made claims of systematic sexual misconduct and manipulation, recreational and manipulative drug use, peer pressure , sextortion , blackmail, rape, forced and violent anal sex , sexual assault without consent and/or while victims were in
1890-469: The label changed hands to other distributors since 1985. The Age reported in October 2008 that, for the first-time ever, Hugh Hefner was selling tickets to his celebrity-filled parties to offset his cash-flow problems due to setbacks Playboy Enterprises had suffered, including decreasing Playboy circulation, decreasing stock value, and ventures that have yet to turn a profit. Christie Hefner released
1944-502: The last $ 900,000 sought by a conservation group for a land purchase needed to stop the development of the vista of the Hollywood Sign. Sylvilagus palustris hefneri , an endangered subspecies of marsh rabbit , is named after him in honor of financial support that he provided. The Barbi Twins , who are among a notable cohort of celebrity Playmates, including Pamela Anderson and Hefner's third wife Crystal Harris , praised
1998-565: The launch of the magazine as well as the next six decades of Hefner's personal life and career. The series was filmed in Auckland . In October 2017, Playboy Enterprises announced that a Hugh Hefner biopic directed by Brett Ratner with the screenplay by Jeff Nathanson was greenlit with Jared Leto rumored to play Hefner. In November 2017, it was indefinitely put on hold following sexual harassment allegations against Ratner, and Leto's representatives stated that reports of him being attached to
2052-462: The magazine division, and is now known to generate more than $ 3 billion in consumer spending annually across 180 countries. Playboy Enterprises, Inc. made its initial public offering on November 3, 1971, at $ 23.50. Playboy ran forty Playboy Club properties from 1960 to 1986 and operated casinos in England from the mid-1960s to 1981, when they lost their operating license. Playboy also operated
2106-511: The nation". Hefner guest-starred as himself in the 2000 Sex and the City episode "Sex and Another City". In 2005, he guest-starred on the HBO shows Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage . He guest-starred as himself in a 2006 episode of Seth Green 's Robot Chicken on the late-night programming block Adult Swim . In the 2007 Family Guy episode " Airport '07 ", he voiced himself. He has
2160-480: The publishing icon for providing centerfolds and extended members of the Playboy family with a platform for activism and advocacy on behalf of animal populations in need. Hefner supported legalizing same-sex marriage , calling it "a fight for all our rights. Without it, we will turn back the sexual revolution and return to an earlier, puritanical time." Hefner died at the Playboy Mansion on September 27, 2017, at
2214-523: The realities from his own daughter". Stetzer further lamented the consequences of Hefner's role as a "general" of the "sexual revolution": It's hard to fathom that anyone would have known what this would have turned into. Parents growing up today are fighting to keep their children pure. Spouses are fighting to keep their marriages intact. And many enslaved and trapped in the adult entertainment industry have been figuratively and literally stripped not only of their clothes, but their very value as people made in
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2268-567: The restoration of the Hollywood Sign . He hosted a gala fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion and contributed $ 27,000 (or 1/9 of the total restoration costs) by purchasing the letter Y in a ceremonial auction. Hefner stated in a 2000 interview with Playboy , "It's perfectly clear to me that religion is a myth. It's something we have invented to explain the inexplicable." Lee Strobel , a Christian author who interviewed Hefner regarding his theological positions, later described Hefner as having
2322-585: The romantic boy-girl society that Playboy promotes" and ordered an article in his magazine against them. In his later years, Hefner's star dimmed, but he remained a well-known personality, often appearing in cameo roles. In the 1993 The Simpsons episode " Krusty Gets Kancelled ", Hefner voiced himself. In 1999, Hefner financed the Clara Bow documentary Discovering the It Girl . "Nobody has what Clara had," he said. "She defined an era and made her mark on
2376-502: The sale of subscriptions to Playboy programming and trademark licensing for online gaming products. As of the 2020 re-organization the business had four main market categories: The company's Playboy Foundation provides grants to non-profit groups involved in fighting censorship and researching human sexuality . The company licenses the Playboy name, the Rabbit Head design and other images, trademarks, and artwork to "appear on
2430-594: The sphere of politics and publishing, throwing fundraiser events for Much Love Animal Rescue as well as Generation Rescue , an anti-vaccinationist campaign organization supported by Jenny McCarthy . On November 18, 2010, Children of the Night founder and president Dr. Lois Lee presented Hefner with the organization's first-ever Founder's Hero of the Heart Award in appreciation for his unwavering dedication, commitment and generosity. On April 26, 2010, Hefner donated
2484-720: The use of the Playboy brand in India for various businesses. PB Lifestyle representatives have also stated that the company will adapt the Playboy brand to suit India's decency standards and will not allow content/material that is deemed "lascivious or appealing to prurient interests". Playboy first entered the Chinese market in a 1988 licensing deal with Hong Kong–based Chaifa Group. By the early 1990s, Licenses were divided into subcategories of products and sold to mainland manufacturers. The company claimed roughly 650 stores by 2003. This had grown to 3100 by 2015. The company has attempted to open
2538-531: The vital effort to protect and enhance First Amendment rights for Americans." He donated and raised money for the Democratic Party . In 2011, he referred to himself as an independent due to dissatisfaction with both the Democratic and Republican parties. Nonetheless, in 2012, he supported Barack Obama 's reelection campaign. In 1978, Hefner helped organize fund-raising efforts that led to
2592-573: The wedding date; it featured Harris on the cover, and in a photo spread as well. The headline on the cover read "Introducing America's Princess, Mrs. Crystal Hefner". Hefner and Harris subsequently reconciled and married on December 31, 2012. Hefner was very distantly related to the 41st and 43rd presidents of the United States, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush , respectively. Hefner's brother Keith died at age 87 on April 8, 2016, one day before Hefner's 90th birthday. In January 2016,
2646-553: The wild, all-night parties, and his daughter Christie took over the operation of Playboy's commercial operations in 1988. The following year, he married Playmate of the Year Kimberley Conrad ; they were 36 years apart in age. The couple had sons Marston Glenn (b. 1990) and Cooper (b. 1991). The E! True Hollywood Story profile noted that the Playboy Mansion had been transformed into a family-friendly homestead. He and Conrad separated in 1998, after which she moved into
2700-471: The world." In 2019, Playboy ranked number 21 among the Top 150 Global Licensors by License Global magazine. As of 2013, the licensing accounts for about 65% of revenue. PB Lifestyle Ltd. is promoted by Mumbai -based entrepreneurs. Following their interests in media and entertainment, PB Lifestyle Ltd. has signed the master and exclusive franchise/licensee agreement with Playboy Enterprises USA (for ten years) for
2754-491: Was Playboy's Penthouse , a television show on WBKB-TV , which was followed by Playboy After Dark , a television series that ran for two seasons, and the format was revived as After Hours in 1989. In 1982, Playboy Enterprises founded Playboy Home Video (later Playboy Home Entertainment ). At first, the Playboy Premiere titles were distributed by MGM/UA Home Video , with others going to CBS/Fox Video , but
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#17327930784552808-703: Was away in the army. He called the admission "the most devastating moment of my life." A 2006 E! True Hollywood Story profile of Hefner revealed that Mildred allowed him to have sex with other women, out of guilt for her own infidelity and in the hope that it would preserve their marriage. The couple divorced in 1959. Hefner remade himself as a bon vivant and man about town, a lifestyle that he promoted in his magazine and TV shows. He admitted to being "'involved' with maybe eleven out of twelve months' worth of Playmates" during some years. Donna Michelle , Marilyn Cole , Lillian Müller , Shannon Tweed , Barbi Benton , Karen Christy , Sondra Theodore , and Carrie Leigh were
2862-506: Was not Jewish, although Rockwell kept a handgun on the table throughout the interview. In Roots: The Next Generations (1979), the interview was recreated with James Earl Jones as Haley and Marlon Brando as Rockwell. Haley had also interviewed Malcolm X in 1963 and Martin Luther King Jr. in 1966 for the newly established 1962 "playboy interview". In 1970, Hefner stated that "militant feminists" are "unalterably opposed to
2916-520: Was released on July 30, 2010. He had previously granted full access to documentary filmmaker and television producer Kevin Burns for the A&;E Biography special Hugh Hefner: American Playboy in 1996. Hefner and Burns later collaborated on numerous other television projects, most notably on The Girls Next Door , a reality series that ran for six seasons (2005–2009) and 90 episodes. Hefner also made
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