Hugh Hefner: Twitter Celebrates The Playboy Icon's Illustrious Life

Ever since Playboy issued a statement Wednesday announcing the death of the magazine's founder and editor-in-chief, Hugh Hefner, tributes poured in for one of America's most famous playboys on social media platforms.

The tweet by the official Twitter account of Playboy on Sep. 27 at 8:13 p.m. EDT read, “American Icon and Playboy Founder, Hugh M. Hefner passed away today. He was 91. #RIPHef”

Soon after, messages started to pour in for the American icon from celebrities and fans from around the globe.

Reality TV personality Kim Kardashian was among the first ones to respond to news of Hefner’s demise. She tweeted, “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.”

Television host and producer Ryan Seacrest followed soon with his parting message to Hefner. “Rest in peace #HughHefner — he will forever be remembered as the Hollywood legend who lived life to the fullest,” his tweet read.

Jenny McCarthy, who was the cover girl for Playboy in 1993 and later became the Playmate of the Year for the same year, expressed her gratitude towards Hef, as he was warmly called by friends and family. She tweeted, “RIP #Hef Thank you for being a revolutionary and changing so many people's lives, especially mine. I hope I made you proud. #PMOY 94.”

It was not just celebrities who offered their condolences on the passing away of the American cultural icon. Hefner’s fans too flooded Twitter with iconic pictures, tributes and playful jokes to celebrate his eventful life and the impact it had on American culture.

A Twitter user by the name Skyla Hansford acknowledged Hefner’s lifestyle and his effort to live life to the fullest. “#HughHefner died as he lived: in a mansion, wearing a robe, with more game than you,” she tweeted.

Writer and performer Tanner Thomason, acknowledged in his tweet how Hefner saved the "Hollywood" sign, located in Los Angeles, from demolition by donating $900,000 to protect the 138-acre site around the structure.

He tweeted, “RIP Hugh Hefner, an absolute original and the man who saved LA’s most famous landmark, the Hollywood sign. From one mansion to another.”

Several people also hailed Hefner for his tremendous efforts to promote free-speech and civil-rights advocacy.

A Twitter user by the name Cam Newton also brought to attention an article by Pink News which claimed that Hefner was a supporter of gay rights since the 1950s.

His biography, Mr. Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the American Dream, published in 2008 claimed that Hefner once had a gay sexual experience.

Author Stephen Watts claimed, “Hefner’s thirst for sexual experience became so strong that he even had a one-time homosexual experience.” The book was commended by Hefner as “the most authoritative book ever written about me”.

In an August interview, Hefner’s son Cooper, who took over as chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, admitted that it was hard to watch his father get old.

“It’s tough to watch him struggle,” he told The Hollywood Reporter while speaking about his father and his old age. “But I’m just happy it’s physical and not mental.

Hefner is survived by his wife, Crystal Harris; his three sons, David, Marston, and Cooper Hefner; and a daughter, Christie Hefner.