Hugh Hefner | 1926 – 2017

Hefner and Barbi Benton with film director Roman Polanski at Le Bourget airport outside Paris in 1970.

American millionaire Hugh Hefner, founder of the Playboy empire, during a visit to England in 1966.

Hugh Hefner at Playboy’s 60th anniversary special event on Jan. 16, 2014 in Los Angeles.

Hugh Hefner at his mansion in Los Angeles.

Playboy magazine publisher Hugh Hefner poses with playmates Holly Madison, left, and Bridget Marquardt, right, during a photocall at the 47th Monte Carlo Television Festival in Monaco.

Publisher Hugh Hefner poses with a few of the 100 girls vying to be the 50th anniversary Playmate at the Playboy Mansion.

Hugh Hefner in Le Bourget, France, in 1970.

Bridget Marquardt, Hugh Hefner and Holly Madison pose with a snake as they arrive at the 10th Annual Safari Brunch at the Playboy Mansion in 2004.

From left: Melissa Taylor, television personality; model Holly Madison; Playboy founder Hugh Hefner; Crystal Harris; and Anna Berglund appear in Madison’s dressing room after Hefner and his friends attended the adult production, “Peepshow” starring Madison at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Hugh Hefner arrives at a June 2006 party with friends Bridget Marquardt, left, and Holly Madison to celebrate his 80th birthday at Villa Miani in Rome.

Hugh Hefner receives kisses from Playmates during the 52nd Cannes Film Festival in May 1999.

Hugh Hefner with friends, from left, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson during the 47th Monte Carlo TV Festival in Monaco, in June 2007.

Hugh Hefner with (from left) Karissa Shannon, her twin Kristina Shannon and Krystal Harris at the reception for Hefners six volume book at Taschen’s in Beverly Hills.

Playboy magazine president Hugh Hefner poses with Playmates on the steps of the Palais des Festivals before the screening of their movie “Entrapment” in Cannes, France.

Hugh Hefner flashes a smile as he watches the action during the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl.

Playboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner on his yacht at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999.

Hugh Hefner and Dr. Joyce Brothers at the New York Hilton Hotel for his New York Friars Club Roast in 2001.

Hugh Hefner and his dates arrive for the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Paul McCartney in Los Angeles.

Hefner answers questions in a Censorship in Media class at USC in 2008.

Hefner at the annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in 2001.