Celebs, Bunnies And Porn Stars React To Hugh Hefner's Death
Hugh Hefnerhas not only launched the careers of dozens, if not hundreds, of actresses and models, he also revolutionized the media landscape byfighting against censorshipand giving women a platform to express their sexuality in an era when it was OK only for men to do so.
So when the iconic magazine editor, a sex icon in his own right, died at home in his famed Playboy Mansion on Wednesday night, celebrities from nearly every industry paid tribute to Hefner and his Playboy empire.
American Icon and Playboy Founder, Hugh M. Hefner passed away today. He was 91.#RIPHefpic.twitter.com/tCLa2iNXa4
— Playboy (@Playboy)September 28, 2017
The outpouring of condolences included messages of gratitude from Playboy Bunnies, past and present, including the miles-long lineup of ex-girlfriends, and from many of the famous cover girls of his magazine.
Actress Jenny McCarthy, who was featured on Playboy’s cover multiple times, thanked Hefner for being a “revolutionary” and for changing “so many people’s lives, especially mine.”
“I hope I made you proud,” she tweeted, along with a photo of one of her covers.
RIP#HefThank you for being a revolutionary and changing so many people's lives, especially mine. I hope I made you proud. 😓#PMOY94 ??pic.twitter.com/sF9ARYgEpw
— Jenny McCarthy (@JennyMcCarthy)September 28, 2017
Porn superstar Ron Jeremy shared a photo of the two friends partying at one of Hefner’s infamous soirees and noted that Hefner “started my career.”
“Today the world lost a legend,” Jeremy wrote. Hugh Hefner “started my career. For 22 yrs I got to wish him happy new year at his mansion. I’ll miss him.”
Today the world lost a legend.#HughHefnerstarted my career. For 22 yrs I got to wish him happy new year at his mansion. I’ll miss him.pic.twitter.com/4Aowa1g44z
— Ron Jeremy (@RealRonJeremy)September 28, 2017
Hefner, always flanked by beautiful women, may have been a controversial figure for decades, but one thing is certain: He was a sex icon who, to many, was living a dream.
Below, see how his famous friends reacted to his death.
So sad to hear the news about@HughHefner. 😢#RIPHefpic.twitter.com/IQiEYhMfvf
— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton)September 28, 2017
Paris & I are reminiscing about the Playboy parties at the mansion & how much we love Hef. She’s texts me the perfect Hef emojis 👯👯👯👯👴🏼👯👯👯👯👯
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian)September 28, 2017
If you were raised without a mom Hugh Hefner probably changed your life. Champion of great writing & freedom of speech & always kind to me.
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold)September 28, 2017
We love you#hef#HughHefnerpic.twitter.com/gr5DXSH22D
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons)September 28, 2017
I had a number of great conversations and with Hugh Hefner. Was such an interesting man. True legend. What an end of an era!
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe)September 28, 2017
The end of an era 🐰#RIPHef
— Jenna Jameson (@jennajameson)September 28, 2017
RIP to a legend Hugh Hefner. Was watching the Amazon documentary at the same time he passed.#RIPHefpic.twitter.com/EiVbxPLVJF
— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul)September 28, 2017
#RIPHefpic.twitter.com/ocKtkWD8xm
— Leila Brillson (@leilaclaire)September 28, 2017
1st met him months B4#SWopened-Expected stereotyped swinger/wildman not the kind-thoughtful loyal friend he always was to ML & me#RIPHef😭pic.twitter.com/r5Jbyg9TMH
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself)September 28, 2017
RIP HF. Few did more for writers, inc myself, breaking boundaries and helping Lenny fight for his 1st Amend Rights.pic.twitter.com/Vi4iDgYdCn
— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis)September 28, 2017
Hugh Hefner put me in Playboy & ignited my career. I am forever indebted, Hef. You will forever live on as an icon of epic proportions.#RIP
— Donna D'Errico (@DonnaDErrico)September 28, 2017
Rest in peace#HughHefner- he will forever be remembered as the Hollywood legend who lived life to the fullest.
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest)September 28, 2017
I met Hugh Hefner at the Playboy mansion. He was very nice to my mom. Don't ask.#RIPHef
— Kat Dennings (@OfficialKat)September 28, 2017
Hugh Hefner was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement. We shall never forget him. May he Rest In Peace.pic.twitter.com/oL3lKLZRQ5
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson)September 28, 2017
Every grown man that had a Playboy collection as an adolescent upon the news of Hugh Hefner's deathpic.twitter.com/dpPUrqAyYp
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill)September 28, 2017
One of the nicest men I've ever known. Godspeed, Hugh Hefner.pic.twitter.com/457cchqskO
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra)September 28, 2017
@hughhefner..when I did playboy he spoke words to me that affected my direction. he was a man the room would stop for when he entered#rip
— Aubrey O'Day (@AubreyODay)September 28, 2017
Trailblazer. Icon. An American institution! Rest in that big grotto in the sky, Hugh Hefner!pic.twitter.com/9rKnQERPgw
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton)September 28, 2017
A post shared by ShannonLeeTweedSimmons (@shannonleetweedsimmons)on Sep 27, 2017 at 8:26pm PDT
RIP Hugh Hefner ??🐰https://t.co/7AmVWmszgj
— Sasha Grey (@SashaGrey)September 28, 2017
RIP hef. You were always sweet to me on movie nights at the mansion. Love to you@crystalhefnerxo#RIPHef
— Courtney Stodden (@CourtneyStodden)September 28, 2017
.@hughhefnerhas passed away at age 91. RIP dear Rabbit King & thanks for all the memories & all the good you brought to this world.pic.twitter.com/KKuivfRdSd
— Candace Jordan (@CandidCandace)September 28, 2017
Rest In Peace my dear sweet@hughhefnerForever in my heart and forever grateful for changing my life. I love you.#RIPHefhttps://t.co/vDlwbrd1Gg
— Miriam Gonzalez (@miriamlgonzalez)September 28, 2017
Rest In Peace Hef ?? I will forever be apart of the@Playboyfamily. Thank you for always being witty, kind and finding beauty in all women.
— Kayla Rae Reid (@KaylaRaeReid)September 28, 2017
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.