PLAYBOY MOGUL HUGH HEFNER SAVES THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN WITH $900K DONATION

Who knew that the property called the Cahuenga Peak, which surrounds the famous Hollywood sign, would ever be in danger of evil property developers? Well, it was! But with additional thanks to Hugh Hefner, Tiffany and Company, and the Aileen Getty Estate, Trust for Public Land (a nature conservation group) will now turn the property over to the city of L.A. to become a part of nationally historic Griffith Park. This was TPL's mission since initially acquiring the property.

The land was purchased in the 1930's by billionaire Howard Hughes with the intent of building a love-nest on it for actress Ginger Rogers. Thankfully for the city of L.A., and all who have been inspired by the sign throughout the years, Ms. Rogers refused his gesture. In 2002, the property was purchased from the estate at a reportedly "bargain basement price" by property hitmen Chicago investors, Fox River Group. TPL was able to secure an option to purchase the land for $12 million but the fundraising proved to be a struggle right up until the April 14th deadline. Apparently, the economy has sucked the life out of normally generous donor's pockets too.  However, all hope wasn't lost 'cause at the final hour, recession-proof Hugh Hefner came through with the final $900K needed to secure the deal. Whew!

"Turned out the kid was back in the water again," he said in a telephone interview (latimes.com).

Heff was one of the original contributors, along with the monies raised from Trust for Public Land, and that which was donated by city and state park funds, private donors, and philanthropic foundations under the umbrellas of Tiffany and Company and the Aileen Getty Estate. 

Ironically, in 1978, Hugh Hefner was one of the of the major players who campaigned fix-up the then dilapidated sign, according to latimes.com. He stated that helping to ensure the land would stay undeveloped was worth taking action again.

Hefner continued,

"It's like saying let's build a house in the middle of Yellowstone Park. There are some things that are more important. The Hollywood sign represents the dreams of millions. It's a symbol. It is as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. It represents the movies."

And, all of us Angelinos thank you Hugh Hefner. We can see the sign from our home-based work studio and it inspires us everyday. Even though we know Hollywood is a delusional illusion complete with underhandedness, treachery, and just plain evil, the sign represents fulfilling dreams and unlimited possibilities. We know, we know... it sounds crazy and contradictory, but it is what it is.

sources: www.latimes.com, www.huffingtonpost.com, www.eonline.com (pic)