Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century
Hugh M. Hefner
Playboy Enterprises
1953–1988
1953–1988
Playboy Enterprises
1953–1988
1953–1988
- Industry: Publishing & Print Media
- Era: 1950
In 1953, Hefner broke out of the conventional sleaze of the adult entertainment business by indulging the fantasies of the middle class executive male and including interviews with high profile celebrities and editorial content from well-respected literary figures in his Playboy magazine. In so doing, he brought a sense of respectability to an otherwise disrespected industry. By the seventies, circulation of Playboy peaked at 7 million, and Hefner had added night clubs, a cable television channel, movies and record production to his company.
Personal
- Born-Died: 1926
- Birthplace: Illinois
- Race: White
- Gender: Male
- Father: Professional
Education / Military
- Undergraduate: University of Illinois
- Military Service: Army