By Val-Jeanné Jupiter

HUGH M. HEFNER IS HONORED WITH A BRENDEN CELEBRITY STAR

“You’ve come A Long Way!”


Saturday, October 7th at 12:30 pm, was indeed a special day to remember. This would be the day that the 80 year old founder, creator and Editor-in-Chief of Playboy magazine Hugh Hefner, would be presented with a Celebrity Star in honor of him contributing over 50 years of service to the entertainment industry. The red carpet event took place in the Brendon Theatres & IMAX Theatre Lobby. Aside from a crowded room of spectators around the roped off area with their cameras and the press/media, Palms Casino Resort President & CEO George Maloof, Brenden Theatres President & CEO Johnny Brenden and Bill Ellerman of Jack Daniel’s Distillery were present. Heather Kozar (1999 Playboy Playmate of the Year) and Julie McCullough, (February 1986 Playboy Playmate) were also in attendance. Robin Leach was the Master of Ceremonies for this event.

While everyone was waiting for Hugh Hefner to make his appearance, Robin Leach called Heather Kozar up to have the photographers take pictures of her and to ask her questions about how her life has been after being named Playboy Playmate of the Year for 1999. Heather commented to Robin that she felt much honored to carry the title Playboy Playmate and that as a result, it has opened up doors for her. Heather said that she became a regular Barker’s Beauty Model on the Price Is Right for 1 ½ years, she also does modeling and print work. After pictures had been taken of Heather and she took her seat, the announcement came that Hugh Hefner was approaching the red carpet. Thunderous applause broke out and camera flashes were going off left and right as the distinguished looking Hugh Hefner walked down the red carpet, looking quite sporty in his black and white collage shirt displaying different Pin-up girls, white pants and a black & white captain’s hat. He was accompanied by his girls Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson who star with him in the hit E! Reality television show “The Girls Next Door.” Holly, Kendra and Bridget were also scheduled that day to do a signing of their 2007 Swimsuit Calendar edition at 1:00 pm in the Playboy Store immediately following the dedication ceremony.

Once everyone was seated, Robin Leach opened up the dedication by welcoming everyone. He then turned the floor over to Palms Casino Resort President & CEO George Maloof who gave the opening speech about the meaning of the dedication that was being held and in addition welcomed and introduced Hugh Hefner. Hugh stood up and talked awhile, thanking everyone for coming out to show their support. Afterwards, Brenden Theatres President & CEO Johnny Brenden came up and said a few words before presenting Hugh with his very own Celebrity Star. Hugh was deeply touched and humbled to have been given such a prestigious honor. Hugh motioned for his girls to come up and share the moment with him as photographers & press began taking pictures of Hugh and his girls looking at his Celebrity Star. As an added treat, Hugh was very surprised when Bill Ellerman from the Jack Daniel Distillery; who also was the sponsor for Hugh Hefner’s Celebrity Star, presented Hugh Hefner with a huge bottle of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Whiskey. Hugh laughed, saying that his favorite drink is a Jack & Diet Pepsi. After a few more word were spoken, the dedication ceremony came to an end.

Hugh Hefner has had a very big influence on society through the years. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after refurbishing the historical Hollywood sign. He’s produced several movies and television programs like Macbeth by Roman Polanski; Saint Jack by Peter Bogdanovich; And Now for Something Completely Different (Monty Python’s first film) and The Naked Ape with Universal Studios. Hugh even has a wax figure of himself that can be seen at Madame Tussaud’s. Hugh Hefner says that the movies from his childhood played a major part in the creation of Playboy magazine. Playboy magazine and the corporation continue to be a major part of his life. Hugh Hefner’s star will be put near the star of Academy Award winner Nicholas Cage.

Congratulations to Hugh Hefner on this your special day. “You’ve definitely come a long way!