Hugh Hefner Saves the Hollywood Sign Yet Again

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Apr 27th 2010 08:41AM

The Hollywood sign, a beacon to stars and star-struck alike, has been saved from urban sprawl under a land conservation pact announced after a donation by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner capped a multimillion-dollar fundraising drive. It's the second time he's helped save the landmark.

"It's a symbol of dreams and a symbol of opportunity and hope," actor-turned-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said at a press conference Monday below the towering letters. "The Hollywood sign will welcome dreamers, artists and Austrian bodybuilders for generations to come."

The huge sign overlooking the city was in danger of having its distinctive setting on the flanks of the Santa Monica Mountains crowded by the construction of estate homes on nearby Cahuenga Peak.

But a $900,000 donation from Heffner, who helped save the sign itself 32 years ago, and a $500,000 matching grant completed a $12.5 million fundraising drive to protect 138 acres from development that would have altered the globally recognized symbol of the world's film and television capital.

"My childhood dreams and fantasies came from the movies, and the images created in Hollywood had a major influence on my life and Playboy," Hefner said.

Schwarzenegger praised the public and private partnership that raised the money to keep the property out of the hands of developers.

The Trust for Public Land conservation group raised $6.7 million in private funds, the state offered $3.1 million and local funds totaled $2.7 million.

Schwarzenegger said private donations came from all 50 states, 10 foreign countries, Tiffany & Co. and a number of individuals, including J. Paul Getty heir Aileen Getty, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

Cahuenga Peak, just west of the sign's location on Mount Lee, features a 360-degree panorama of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.

Moviemaker and aviation mogul Howard Hughes bought the property in 1940 to build a home for then-girlfriend Ginger Rogers. But that never came about, and the Hughes estate sold the property in 2002 for $1.7 million to the Chicago-based investment group Fox River Financial Resources Inc.

It was put on the market again two years ago for $22 million, but The Trust for Public Land negotiated a lower price.

Ironically, the sign was originally erected in 1923 to promote a real estate development, with its 30-foot-by-50-foot letters spelling "Hollywoodland."

But as Hollywood was entering its golden age, the sign already symbolized the allure of stardom. In the 1930s a young, struggling actress climbed the sign and leaped to her death.

By the late 1940s the sign was falling apart and the "land" portion was removed, giving it the appearance known today. It continued to decay even after the city made it a cultural monument in 1973.

Hefner came to the rescue in 1978, organizing a fundraiser that enabled a complete rebuilding of the sign, which had to vanish from the skyline for several months.

Wildlife Conservation Board executive director John Donnelly said the permanent protection of Cahuenga Peak is a significant addition to the city's 4,210-acre Griffith Park and will enhance wildlife corridors throughout the region.

"Today, we have the Hollywood ending we hoped for," said William B. Rogers, president of The Trust for Public Land.

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Tags: hollywood sign, hugh hefner

Comments

(25)

Tuesday 27 April

By m. hughes

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Some things are better left alone. Thanks Mr. Hefner.

By lily

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Thank you , thank you , thank you Mr. Hugh Hefner!! We need to stop tearing down landmarks and destroying history in the name of urban building. Hef to the rescue. We the people thank you.

By Steve

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Put a sock in it Sage. You are obviously clueless.

By Tan

Thanks Mr. Heffner,

I was moved to tears reading this story. I had the opportunity to visit Hollywood last summer and this sign is apart of the american dream for so many and I was told this is the most recognized sign around the world.

I am so proud to be an American!!!

By wayne

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Dreams? What does Hollywood do with "dreams" here on the East Coast or in Virginia to be spacific. It dont mean a thing to anyone but the Hollywood types that live there and people that are stupid to enough to dream about living in that place. Almost every bad thing thats hit this country has started in that area, like hippies, drugs,sex movies, multiple marriages, etc. Anything sick or stupid starts there. I say leave the sign and bulldoze Hollywood to the ground !!

Hey Wayne, aren't you late for a cross burning or something?

By lucille2

I'm glad it was saved! It's a famous landmark, and saving it from development also protects a lot of open space.

By Ava

I never pay to watch movies, I don't go and contribute to drugs, sex and lies, wouldn't waste a dollar on it. You however, are lead by them and pay for all of their needs. Who's the fool? LOL

By Butch

I saw the sign a few times and I thought it was really cool. Glad these people saved it and the property it is on. Way to go Hef!!!

By jpuzzlewhiz

Every time I hear reports about wildfires in California, I keep hoping those fires will consume that damn sign. It's an eyesore. Get rid of it. It's uglier than a billboard.

By John

To most of us, it represents dreams.

By Hank

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Good one. I don't pay for that shi* either.

By Terri

Playboy founder Hugh Hefner is a Great guy. Good for Him. I like the sign right where it is and it should stay there.

By Natalie

What month are you?

Natalie? What does that mean what month am I?

By Don

LMAO

MARCH ARE YOU hAPPY?

By Koz

If you can't feed them don't breath them.

By Patrick

He meant what month are you a Centerfold in.I LOVE movies and I never cared for drugs.I do enjoy sex,though.I am very happy that Hef saved that sign which I love also. Its a symbol of dreams for myself and many.The great movies old and new. Some for families like Gone with the Wind & ET and some more adult like The Godfather & The Exorcist.I also love PLAYBOY & HEF! I am not a Centefold.I have great legs,but theyre hairy.

By kittylit

Thank you Mr. Hefner. An icon saved.

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