Trivia

Longtime gay rights activist. In 1955, Hefner personally agreed to have Playboy publish "The Crooked Man", a science fiction story by Charles Beaumont, in which a heterosexual man is persecuted in a world populated by homosexuals. When critics attacked him for publishing such a story, Hefner replied "If it is wrong to persecute heterosexuals in a homosexual society then the reverse is wrong, too.".

Was raised by rigid Methodist parents. His mother was one of the 45 investors Hefner recruited to launch Playboy Magazine.

Hefner had a Genius IQ of 152 in H.S., but was described as an "unenthusiastic" student.

A full-size replica of him is on display at the Madame Tussaud's Interactive Wax Museum at the Venetian Casino/Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unlike the other models, Hefner's likeness is not wax, but rather silicone.

Used to work for Esquire magazine. He departed to found Playboy magazine after being denied a pay raise of $5 a week.

First magazine publisher to become a major celebrity.

In 1963, he was arrested in Chicago, Illinois for possessing "indecent" photos of actress Jayne Mansfield in the movie Promises..... Promises! (1963).

Personally interviewed every "Girl of the Month" in his magazine's 50-plus years.

At one time owned a 119-foot-long DC-9 jet called the "Big Bunny". The jet was painted black with the well-known white playboy bunny logo on its tail. It was equipped with a galley, living room, disco, movie and video equipment, wet bar and sleeping quarters for 16 guests.

Adamantly against drug use, and refused to allow them in any of his houses. Anyone caught doing drugs at any Playboy Mansion is subject to immediate and permanent expulsion.

As a young boy, his most prized possession was a blanket covered with little bunnies. This provided the inspiration to name his magazine.

He purchased the burial vault next to Marilyn Monroe at Westwood Memorial Park for $75,000 in 1992, saying, "Spending eternity next to Marilyn is an opportunity too sweet to pass up". Hefner and Monroe never actually met, but spoke over the phone once. They are buried in the Corridor of Memories, crypt #24, in Los Angeles, California.

Hef's will stipulates that the beneficiaries of his trust - widow [Crystal Hefner], daughter [Christie Hefner], and sons David Paul Hefner, [Marston Hefner] and [Cooper Hefner] can receive money from the trust so long as they remain clean and sober. If any of the five believes that one or more of the others are regular users of drugs or alcohol, they can demand drug tests, then suspend the payout of funds if their suspicions are confirmed. Hef's will also provides for the reinstatement of payouts if the suspended heir can prove twelve consecutive months of sobriety.

His original plan had been to call his magazine Stag, but there was already a magazine with that title. Playboy was his second choice.

Marilyn Monroe was the centerfold in the very first issue of his Playboy Magazine in December 1953. This was the only issue to name its playmate "Sweetheart of the Month". In the March 1965 issue, Playboy Magazine featured the first African-American centerfold: Jennifer Jackson. Playboy Magazine was originally going to be titled "Stag Party".

A brass plaque over the front door of his Chicago mansion reads, "Si Non Oscillas, Noli Tintinnare", which roughly translates from Latin as "If You Don't Swing, Don't Ring".

Had a species of rabbit named in his honor (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri).

In 1988, he turned his empire over to his daughter Christie Hefner.

His father had German and English ancestry. His mother was of Swedish descent.

Served in the U.S. Army in WWII after graduating from Steinmetz H.S. in Chicago, IL (1944).

In 2005, Hugh attempted to create and Indian version of Playboy magazine for India, which would feature South Asian women and Indian popular culture articles, but no nudity. He wanted to have Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on the cover of the first issue. The magazine was rejected.

Resided with Barbi Benton from 1969-1976.

Had an extensive film collection and runs a "Saturday Night Mansion Movie" every week at the Playboy Mansion. Among the titles are often movies that haven't even been to theaters yet.

Had legal battles with Hustler Magazine, over his photo collections.

Children: Christie Hefner (born on Saturday, November 8, 1952) and David Paul Hefner, (born on Tuesday, August 30, 1955) by Mildred Williams; Cooper Hefner and Marston Hefner by Kimberley Conrad. David owns a computer consulting firm.

Played a major role in the James Bond short story "A Midsummer Night's Doom" by Raymond Benson.

Created the world-famous Playboy Mansion of Los Angeles, California (1971).

Originally worked on the publishing staff of "Child Life" magazine.

Had a round-the-clock kitchen staff to serve him his meals on a tray in bed. He also had his own drawer of cookies in the Playboy Mansion's kitchen.

Claimed to be a direct descendant of pilgrim leader William Bradford.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6126 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on his 54th birthday [April 9, 1980].

Magazine mogul Jerry Caesar from Dragnet (1987) is based partly on him and entrepreneur Larry Flynt.

Parents Glenn Hefner and Grace Hefner were from Phelps County, Nebraska.

Helped radical comedian Dick Gregory get famous. Interestingly, he and Gregory died only about a month apart.

Between 1959 and 1974, the hub of the Playboy universe was located at 1340 North State Parkway, Chicago, IL 60610 (USA), just a block away from the Cardinal's residence.

Formerly engaged to Crystal Harris (Crystal Hefner). Harris called off the engagement days before their wedding in June 2011, but Hefner allowed her to keep her engagement ring and customized Bentley [December 26, 2010].

Graduated from Steinmetz High School (Chicago, IL). As a child often visited the now demolished Mont Clare Theatre in Chicago. Graduated from the University of Illinois.

Pictured on a souvenir sheet issued by Grenada & the Grenadines on 1 December 2003, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Playboy Magazine. Six stamps in the sheet feature various Playboy covers, including the first issue with Marilyn Monroe and the May 1964 cover with Playmate of the Year Donna Michelle.

Hefner and Jenna Jameson share the same birthday (April 9th).

Had appeared on the cover of the November/December 2017 issue of Playboy magazine, making him the 11th man to appear on its cover, and the first solo male cover without an accompanying female model.

Mentioned by Arsenio Hall (as Reverend Brown) in Coming to America (1988) while giving a sermon.

Playboy Magazine get stories sold to them, including horror stories. In Christopher Pike's novel "The Eternal Dawn", the novel makes oblique references to the Twilight book series, e.g vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies, vampires can move in daylight, vampire gods, etc. But it's a story sold to Playboy Magazine.

Creator and publisher of Playboy Magazine.

He grew up in the Montclare neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

Was friends with Bill Cosby and Bill Maher.

Older brother of Keith Hefner.

Late father-in-law of William A. Marovitz.