The (Not So) Dirty Secrets of Hugh Hefner

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 28th 2009 10:27AM

The name Hugh Hefner is all but synonymous with debauchery - the 'Playboy' founder is equally famous for his racy publication as his simultaneous relationships with young, blonde women and the notoriously raucous parties held at Playboy Mansion. But the 83-year-old ladies' man has a history of putting his money where his mouth is, politically speaking. "One of the things I find really curious is when people say I've lived an amoral life," says the paterfamilias of the Playboy dynasty. "From my perspective, it's quite the contrary. I feel I've lived a very moral life. I've been on the side of angels from the beginning."

'Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel,' a documentary premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival next month, shows the deeper side of Hugh Hefner - civil rights activist and political ally of women and gays. See highlights from his interview with the Daily Beast below.

"This film has less to do with the lifestyle and more to do with my commitment to social change," Hefner says of the documentary by Oscar award-winning filmmaker Brigitte Berman.

She adds, "When people think of him, they think of the babes, the boobs, the blondes. There's another side to him, one I think is too often overlooked."

Hefner was a champion of civil rights from the very beginning of the movement. He says, "I graduated from the University of Illinois in 1948, and there were the beginnings of racial integration. There were student protests against restaurants and movie theaters that had segregation, and I took part in some of those protests." Later, when he learned that two of the Southern franchises of his Playboy nightclubs were segregated, he bought back the outlets at his own expense to integrate them.

Hefner also supported gay rights at a time when the concept was nearly unheard of in mainstream America. Playboy published a short, science fiction piece wherein homosexuality was the norm and heterosexuals were considered socially deviant. The story was originally turned down by Esquire, Hefner explains, and recalls the numerous angry letters the magazine received in response. The magazine ran a rebuttal suggesting that "if it was wrong to persecute heterosexuals in a homosexual society, then the reverse was wrong too."

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'Playboy' Millionaire Hugh Hefner

If you see 83-year-old Hugh Hefner as nothing but a playboy millionaire, a new documentary may change your mind. "This film has less to do with the lifestyle and more to do with my commitment to social change," Hef says in a new interview.

Michael Tran, FilmMagic

Playboy' Millionaire Hugh Hefner

Michael Tran, FilmMagic

"I graduated from the University of Illinois in 1948, and there were the beginnings of racial integration. There were student protests against restaurants and movie theaters that had segregation, and I took part in some of those protests," he says.

Damian Dovarganes, AP

"The idea that the concept of marriage will be sullied by same-sex marriage is ridiculous. Heterosexuals haven't been doing that well at it on their own."

Authenticated News / Getty Images

"I was so blindsided when the more conservative feminists attacked me... I always found it strange that the feminist movement would consider sex the enemy, since it seems one of the major ways that women have been held in subjugation historically is through sexuality."

"Without question, love in its various permutations is what we need more of in this world," says Hefner now. "The idea that the concept of marriage will be sullied by same-sex marriage is ridiculous. Heterosexuals haven't been doing that well at it on their own."

And while a significant faction of self-identified feminists find his body of work - and his lifestyle - objectionable, Hefner believes his career has been an instrument of liberation for women. "I was so blindsided when the more conservative feminists attacked me. I didn't know what that was all about," he says. "I thought we were always fighting the good fight and on the same side. In fact, we were the amicus curiae in the Roe v. Wade case. I always found it strange that the feminist movement would consider sex the enemy, since it seems one of the major ways that women have been held in subjugation historically is through sexuality."

"Our TV show, 'The Girls Next Door,' is hugely popular, primarily with women," he adds. "Some women wear the rabbit on clothing with great pride. I think that would have been unthinkable 20 years ago."

See the entire article at the Daily Beast.

Tags: hugh hefner, HughHefner

Comments

(189)

Friday 28 August

By nancy haun

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I can't help think that this old man is just as bad as the guy who abducted the 11 year old and her stepfather is awful too

By LaLuna

There is a world of difference between an 11YO who is kidnapped, held captive for 18 years and forceably raped and one of Hef's bunnies who CHOSE to be with him and/or pose for Playboy. By comparing the two, you lessen Jaycee Dugard's abduction to that old standby "she asked for it." Shame on you!

Monday 31 August

By BIGROBB1

HEFNER YOU A NOTHING BUT AN OLD PIECE OF CRAP- I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY YOU ARE GONE -FOR ME PERSONNALLY--YOUR DARK EMPIRE HAS CLAIMED AMOTHER SOUL-- THIS ONE I TAKE PERSONALLY-- MISS SEPTEMBER -HAD A BOYFRIEND OF EIGHT YEARS--GREAT COUPLE--BOTH OF THEM QUALITY PEOPLE--USED TO COME BY MY HOUSE FOR YEARS--AS THEY WE'RE FRIENDS OF MY DECEICED SON--A GREAT ALWAYS HAPPY COUPLE--WELL THROUGH MUTUAL FRIENDS SHE WAS INVITED TO THE PB MANSION FOR A WEEKEND AND NEVER LEFT --GOD I HOPE THIS BAST-RD DIDN'T PUT HIS PAWS ON HER --THE THOUGHT JUST MAKES ME SICK-I HAVE ALWAYS SAID FOR YEARS THAT I DON'T LIKE WHAT THIS GUY DOES--HE IS THE ANTI-CHRIST FOR GENERATIONS--JUST LOOK WHAT THIS GUY STARTED--I GUESS I AM MORE HURT FOR THE BOYFRIEND THAN ANYTHING ELSE--I KNOW THAT LOVE DOESN'T ALWAYS LAST FOREVER-- BUT TO LOSE IT TO THE DEVIL-- MISS SEPTEMBER I HOPE YOU WAKE UP ONE DAY AND REALISE WHAT A GREAT GUY YOU LEFT BEHIND-- I KNOW YOU ARE STILL YOUNG AND VULNERABLE --THAT IS WHY I CAN'T TAKE THIS SO LIGHTLY--WHEN IT'S ALL OVER AND THE LIGHTS AND CAMERAS ARE ALL GONE AND THAT EVIL F--CK IS DEAD AND IN HELL --I HOPE YOU PULL YOUR PANTS UP AND COME BACK HOME --BY THE WAY HEF WHY DON'T YOU MAKE THIS A SPENDID YEAR AND JUST DIE--MOTHER F--KER --JUST DIE

By nico toscani

If the young lady in question was so easily seduced by money & fame; then Hef did her bf a favor by taking the addle brained hooker off his hands. The man doesn't have some evil power over women. All he's got is a giant roll of cash & sadly that's enough to win over a lot of young ladies.

By marylyn

He is looking more like Jimmnie Cricket as time goes on

By jenna

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I THINK THIS HUGH IS A PIG, HE USES WM, WITHOUT THEM EVEN KNOWING IT< BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE IN PLAYBOY. HA

By gallduckers

I rember my time in the service of our country.Everyone read playboy because we all missed home, with all its faults.that was before women were allowed the time to serve their country.Now i dont have a clue what it like now.without playboy and the uso we would have been f_____.

By Crystal

since the dawn of time its been old men and young women...its not a new concept and i for one luv older guys...usually not so old as hef but i think hes sexy for an old man and its nothing to do with his riches...if u ever watch the girls next door u would know that he's a really sweet man and even though he luvs the young women he doesnt treat older women any different. except for his being with more than one girl at a time he's the ideal man...and some women are able to look past his being with other women (i think that takes a special kind of woman, strong woman, to deal with that)

By exoticdoc2

Hefner feels he's lived a moral life? Just one question, by whose standard? Probably the same place the Obamanation gets his morals.

By css

Please leave REENA alone! I agree with her too. First of all, only an 80 year old man WITH money could coax a young, beautiful girl into bed. Let's just be honest here girls! When I first watched the Girls Next Door - I laughed my ass off. I knew it wouldn't be long before these young girls would meet hot, talented, fun young guys to hang with! And sure enough all three of them are with young men and Kendra is now married and having a child! Most likely the show was a total farce. The three girls were probably NOT having sex with Hefner. It was a "teaser" to get people watching the show. The more people watch the more money they make! And if the were - that's just disgusting but it tells you what women will do for fame and fortune. Is that any different then cortesans or prostitutes? I think not. And if that's the case, then Hef is NOT on the side of "angels" - he's not on the side of women furthering themselves in respectable, professional ways. And Reena has her opinion - so let her be and speak her own mind! Go Reena!

By Dirk Diggler

Hef practices a sort of medical therapy usually reserved for the elderly well-to-do playboy called d!ck dialysis .... for 2 hrs a day, an I.V. of Viagra is run straight to his d!ck by way of his heart. He claims a perpetual hard-on rivaled only by an adolescent chimpanzee .....

By GINGER

Hey, Hugh Hefner, is Alive, and Well, and Very Happy. So to all of you out there, He must be doing something right! He is never in court, for non support, drugs, never killed anybody, or hurt anyon1 As far as I can see, he has done nothing but take care of his girls wives, children. No one is complaining, or starving or suffering. there is plenty of everything to go around, and I think he is sweet. I watched the show, yes it is racy and all,but not always, everyone is happy and laughing, and if you are sad he will make you smile again. Hef's door is always open, and he maintains a good relationship with all the girls. Even if someone leaves, he is still ready to welcome them back with open arms. He won't let you suffer. I like him. Good for Hef! GIGI

By RL

Everybody here, QUIET! You will wake Hef and he will have to put his teeth back in . He came, no pun intended, at a time in history where he was useful and needed, That time has gone now and it is just a little sad to see him tottering around in silk pajamas like he did so well 40 years ago. Time to hang them up Hef.

Saturday 29 August

By lu

i think hugh hefner is a great guy. I love the show girls next door and I do feel that he does help women. Look at how successful they become in playboy! if not that, why should us women feel like hiding our bodies? he's right, sexuality is something that has been used against us... and still is; playboy is not against feminism. Anyway, I hope i can see that film!

By Ben Dover

How much do you charge for nude picture?
What would it take for you to have sex with my grandfather?
How big is your chest?
Do you shave that thang?
You sound cute and ditsy, what college did you go to?

By Becki

This man was married to both women he had children with and took care of his x wives and children. His daughter runs the Playboy operation and he has nothing but respect for her because she is a very classy, intelligent and well educated woman. He is the ONLY man I know that is doing and living the life HE wants to live...not how others think he should live...how many men can say that?

By Rob

"no one wants to think about or see that nastyness!"

Really?? Then who bought enough magazines and stock to make him a multi-millionaire??

By jmuzikmon

After reading some of the comments on here I am not surprised that both men and women focus on the sex aspect of Hefner's legacy. Since that is what his highest profile seems to be. But just as my wife is not just a mother and my spouse. She is also a professional with her own business and a damn fine artist. Mr. Hefner is also these other things that the article suggests, and yet that seems to be lost in the conversation. Are you people so singularly faceted, that you can't recognize anything besides the centerfold and whether or not he sleeps with her? Then you have become your self fulfilling prophesy of him, and the blinders you have on serve you well. I quit reading Playboy when my oldest daughter became the predominate age of the models within the pages. But I still will be recommended cartoons, articles, interviews, and artwork from friends who still have subscriptions. My wife is of the opinion that Hugh Hefner, despite his penchant for younger women, has done more for a women's empowerment of her own sexuality than Erica Jong or Gloria Steinem. But I digress. The fact is that Hef has been a champion of civil rights, gay rights, and women's rights since the beginning of his storied career. I have read interviews of Angela Davis and Patty Hearst as well as Lenny Bruce and Robin Williams. Presidents have been in the magazine, ie; Jimmy Carter. There have been Sports Figures, giants of industry and politics and philosophy. Hef had many facets, so don't just focus on the one that's obvious and easy, it does your intellect a disservice.

By Escalonz

One thing he sure as hell proved and that is sex sells.

By BillAZ

Come on, Hugh Hefner is really Bill Mahr without the daily botox shots!

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