The Twilight Years of Hugh Hefner

Hugh HefnerHugh Hefner is 83 years old, still lives in his Playboy mansion with his three buxom, blonde 20-something year old girlfriends, and according to a recent NYT article, is not wasting his time sitting around contemplating death.  That is definitely a  good thing because it is hard to really feel sorry for someone whose grandest accomplishment in this life appears to have been the creation of an icon, the Playboy Bunny and an the entire persona of the man himself.

Hugh Hefner’s biggest worry at this time seems to be the fact that even Playboy magazine is not immune to the struggles of the porn industry, which is having a tough time due to free net porn. Playboy has lost money for the seventh straight quarter. In fact, believe it or not, Playboy has even mentioned that it might be up for sale to the highest bidder, but there’s no word yet on the price or if the Playmate name is also up for sale so don’t get too excited.

THe NYT piece listed more minor complaints for the aging porn king, including the tragic fact that home values in his area sharply declining, his personal embarrassment over musty couches and a dirty jacuzzi at his Bachelor pad, and an ex-wife suing him for four million. First, I have a hard time feeling sorry for an 83-year-old, mansion-owner whose home value has declined- let’s face it- Hugh Hefner is not in danger of ending his life in the same way as Ed McMahon. Second, if he paid more for cleaning and less for sex, he probably wouldn’t have a dirty jacuzzi- that's just simple economics. And, last, every rich man gets sued for cash by their ex-wife. I’m sorry, Huhg, it’s just life.

And, in case you were wondering, there is a possible movie on the horizon which is just what I’ve been waiting my whole life for. Brett Ratner, of the “Rush Hour” movies, is set to direct the movie. Robert Downey, Jr., Mr. Ironman himself, has publicly expressed interest in playing Hugh, but I doubt he is the only actor to be interested. Who wouldn’t want to be Hugh Hefner? Maybe Woody Harrelson could play the part as he already has experience after  playing Larry Flint alongside Courtney Love.