MANILA, Philippines – Hugh Hefner died on September 27 (September 28 in Manila) and, in a manner befitting his status as a cultural icon, tributes poured in from his fans, followers, and friends – many celebrities among them.
From celebrities who started out on the pages of Playboy to musicians and actors who respected Hefner’s cultural and social impact, these are some of the stars who remembered the Playboy founder.
Kim Kardashian West, who appeared on the cover of Playboy in 2007, described him as “legendary.”
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RIP to the legendary Hugh Hefner! I’m so honored to have been a part of the Playboy team! You will be greatly missed! Love you Hef! Xoxo</p>— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) <a href="https://twitter.com/KimKardashian/status/913261037373100034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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She also tweeted that she and Paris Hilton, another Playboy favorite, were reminiscing about partying at the Playboy Mansion.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Paris & I are reminiscing about the Playboy parties at the mansion & how much we love Hef. She’s texts me the perfect Hef emojis </p>— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) <a href="https://twitter.com/KimKardashian/status/913265231366782976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Paris posted her own tribute too.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So sad to hear the news about <a href="https://twitter.com/hughhefner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HughHefner</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPHef?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPHef</a> <a href="https://t.co/IQiEYhMfvf">pic.twitter.com/IQiEYhMfvf</a></p>— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisHilton/status/913262190358093824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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She also shared a photo of her Playboy cover, saying, “Love you, Hef.”
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Love you Hef <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Legend?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Legend</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPHEF?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPHEF</a> <a href="https://t.co/QOEJJ4cxO9">pic.twitter.com/QOEJJ4cxO9</a></p>— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisHilton/status/913292552308129792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Another Playboy cover girl, Carmen Electra, shared a photo with Hefner, calling him “a class act.”
{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.48665955176094% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZkk2Pzli-n/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">R.I.P. Hugh Hefner The American Icon who in 1953 introduced the world 2 Playboy mag and built the company into one of the most recognizable American Global brands in history , I am so grateful I had the opportunity to shoot many Playboy celebrity pictorials with u Hef thank u for picking me and Bringing me into the magical world of Playboy ! I just can't stop crying and I can't imagine how many bunnies are crying for u too. U are a class act and I will always have gratitude for your kindness love u Hef #hughhefner #playboy #icon @playboy</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Carmen Electra (@carmenelectra) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-09-28T04:35:44+00:00">Sep 27, 2017 at 9:35pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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Comedian Bob Saget chose to remember Hefner by quoting his views on obscenity:
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hugh Hefner’s definition of obscenity:<br>“Racism, war, bigotry, but sex itself, no. What a sad cold world this would be if we weren’t sexual beings...I mean, that’s the heart of who we are.”</p>— bob saget (@bobsaget) <a href="https://twitter.com/bobsaget/status/913284729889202176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Star Wars actor Mark Hamill remembered Hefner as kind and thoughtful:
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1st met him months B4 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SW?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SW</a> opened-Expected stereotyped swinger/wildman not the kind-thoughtful loyal friend he always was to ML & me <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPHef?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPHef</a><a href="https://t.co/r5Jbyg9TMH">pic.twitter.com/r5Jbyg9TMH</a></p>— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) <a href="https://twitter.com/HamillHimself/status/913246368134606848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Kiss bassist Gene Simmons called Hefner “a great man, entrepreneur, and innovator.”
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A great man, entrepreneur and innovator. Your legacy lives on. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hef?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hef</a> <a href="https://t.co/36cRzlUPRw">pic.twitter.com/36cRzlUPRw</a></p>— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/913244162648031233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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He also shared a photo with Hefner.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We love you <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hef?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hef</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HughHefner?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HughHefner</a> <a href="https://t.co/gr5DXSH22D">pic.twitter.com/gr5DXSH22D</a></p>— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/913254257029038080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Singer Nancy Sinatra said Hefner was “One of the nicest men I’ve ever known.”
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One of the nicest men I've ever known. Godspeed, Hugh Hefner. <a href="https://t.co/457cchqskO">pic.twitter.com/457cchqskO</a></p>— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) <a href="https://twitter.com/NancySinatra/status/913247465301614592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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TV host and producer Ryan Seacrest said Hefner will be remembered as “the Hollywood legend who lived life to the fullest.”
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rest in peace <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HughHefner?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HughHefner</a> - he will forever be remembered as the Hollywood legend who lived life to the fullest.</p>— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanSeacrest/status/913250228828016640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Actor Rob Lowe also called Hefner a legend.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I had a number of great conversations and with Hugh Hefner. Was such an interesting man. True legend. What an end of an era!</p>— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobLowe/status/913247892688715777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Actor Tom Arnold remembered Hefner as a “champion of great writing and freedom of speech.”
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If you were raised without a mom Hugh Hefner probably changed your life. Champion of great writing & freedom of speech & always kind to me.</p>— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomArnold/status/913250279121870848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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American civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson highlighted Hefner’s support for the civil rights movement.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hugh Hefner was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement. We shall never forget him. May he Rest In Peace. <a href="https://t.co/oL3lKLZRQ5">pic.twitter.com/oL3lKLZRQ5</a></p>— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) <a href="https://twitter.com/RevJJackson/status/913248647185403905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Host Larry King also remembered Hefner’s fight for free speech and civil rights.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hugh Hefner was a GIANT in publishing, journalism, free speech & civil rights. He was a true original, and he was my friend. Rest well Hef. <a href="https://t.co/bJ1wxoK4gR">pic.twitter.com/bJ1wxoK4gR</a></p>— Larry King (@kingsthings) <a href="https://twitter.com/kingsthings/status/913259927602208769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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SNL’s Taran Killam recalled a Playboy halloween party he once attended.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Went to a <a href="https://twitter.com/Playboy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Playboy</a> Halloween party. It was elaborate & sexy & odd. Best haunted maze I've ever seen. Anyway, this death is about me. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPHef?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPHef</a></p>— Taran Killam (@TaranKillam) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaranKillam/status/913252319684435968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Porn star Ron Jeremy posted a photo with Hefner, and credited him for starting his career.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today the world lost a legend. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HughHefner?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HughHefner</a> started my career. For 22 yrs I got to wish him happy new year at his mansion. I’ll miss him. <a href="https://t.co/4Aowa1g44z">pic.twitter.com/4Aowa1g44z</a></p>— Ron Jeremy (@RealRonJeremy) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealRonJeremy/status/913247348720988160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Actor Elijah Wood called Hefner “a giant of cultural influence.”
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hefner. A giant of cultural influence.</p>— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) <a href="https://twitter.com/elijahwood/status/913255907802468353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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He also retweeted a photo of Playboy’s Christmas issue saying, “We really did read Playboy for the articles.”
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We really did read Playboy for the articles. Hugh Hefner, RIP. <a href="https://t.co/Ab1HGoB7ns">pic.twitter.com/Ab1HGoB7ns</a></p>— daniel noah (@_danielnoah_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_danielnoah_/status/913255242267062272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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– Rappler.com