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Hugh Hefner Dead at 91: Celebrities React

By Author pauldailly

Published: Sep 28, 2017 at 9:12 AM • Updated: Apr 04, 2022 at 9:48 PM • Category Hugh Hefner

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The death of Hugh Hefner sent a shockwave through social media, as celebrities took to social media to express their immediate reactions to the shocking death. 

According to reports, the media mogul died at his home peacefully in his sleep.

He will forever be known as the man who left Esquire behind to launch Playboy. That magazine became an immediate success and solidified Hef as an American icon. 

See the heartfelt celebrity reactions to the death of Hugh Hefner below. 

Kim Kardashian

1
Kim Kardashian
(Getty)

“RIP to the legendary Hugh Hefner! I’m so honored to have been a part of the Playboy team!” she wrote on Twitter. “You will be greatly missed! Love you Hef!”

Paris Hilton

2

Never one to let a celebrity death pass her by, Hilton took to Twitter to air her thoughts on the matter. “So sad to hear the news about @HughHefner. #RIPHef.”

Ryan Seacrest

3
Ryan Seacrest
(Getty)

“Rest in peace #HughHefner – he will forever be remembered as the Hollywood legend who lived life to the fullest,” he wrote.

Jenny McCarthy

4
Jenny McCarthy
(Getty Images)

“RIP #Hef Thank you for being a revolutionary and changing so many people’s lives, especially mine,” she said on Twitter. “I hope I made you proud.”

Rob Lowe

5

“I had a number of great conversations and with Hugh Hefner,” Lowe shared. “Was such an interesting man. True legend. What an end of an era!”

The Weeknd

6
The Weeknd
(Getty)

“RIP Hugh Hefner,” said the Weeknd in a short and sweet message.

Lena Dunham

7
Lena Dunham
(Getty)

“Hugh Hefner and I may not have a shared perspective on, you know, stuff BUT he was so lovely on the Playboy Mansion episode of Cesar Millan,” the Girls star shared.

Gene Simmons

8
Gene Simmons
(Getty)

“A great man, entrepreneur and innovator. Your legacy lives on. #Hef,” added Gene Simmons.

Kat Dennings

9

“I met Hugh Hefner at the Playboy mansion. He was very nice to my mom. Don’t ask. #RIPHef,” she shared.

Bob Saget

10
Bob Saget
(Getty)

“Hugh Hefner’s definition of obscenity: ‘Racism, war, bigotry, but sex itself, no. What a sad cold world this would be if we weren’t sexual beings…I mean, that’s the heart of who we are.’”

Billy Eichner

11
Billy Eichner
(Getty Images)

“Thank you Hugh Hefner,” he said in the short post.

Charlie Puth

12

“Rest In Peace Hugh Hefner. Your legacy and soul shall live on!”

Josh Groban

13
Josh Groban
(Getty)

“Wow. Really felt like this man was going to be around forever. #RIP to a man who truly lived life to the fullest. #hughhefner.”

Heidi Montag

14

“RIP @hughhefner,” the former reality TV star began her heartfelt post. “Thank you for making me part of the Playboy family. Sending lots of love and prayers to @crystalhefner.”

Patton Oswalt

15
Patton Oswalt
(Getty)

“As per his wishes, Hugh Hefner’s body will be left in a fort in the woods for other kids to find & pass around.”

Jenna Dewan Tatum

16

“Met @hughhefner while screening the pilot episode of The Playboy Club at the mansion w/ my dad and he couldn’t have been more lovely. RIP.”