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.

2010 AOL LLC. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Tags: hollywood sign, hugh hefner

Comments

(25)

Tuesday 27 April

By dvdfrnzwbr

Vote down Vote up Report this

So selfish to donate millions of dollars to protect a sign from houses being built near it.

By BENZO

Way to go Steve. The same thing I was thinking. It sounds like such hate for those who he differs from.

Thursday 06 May

By melissa

Sunday 30 May

By wade boteler

I'm very happy that the sign was saved. Unlike those helium-heads who can only see the bad side to things, the Hollywood sign is a landmark that has stood the test of time and is a symbol of dreams that came true for those with the fortitude and tenacity to "go for it"...my Grandfather was one of them. Now though, let's get the many ultra-rich folks out there to huddle together and save our schools. (That should still include the California Lottery right)?

Thursday 22 July

By Joe Papierz Jr

Thnak you Mr. Hefner. Unfortunately, in ten or twenty years property values will have continued to increase and the sign will be in jeopardy again. Who will step up then and how much will it cost? I provision made for maintenance and insurance?

Page 2 of 2