The Untold Truth of Hugh Hefner’s Son – David Hefner

• David Hefner was born in 1955 in Palo Alto, CA, as the son of Hugh Hefner, founder of “Playboy” magazine.
• He has a net worth estimated to be over $500,000.
• He created his own computer consulting firm and dabbled in film production.
• He stayed out of the spotlight and was very close to his family, particularly his sister Christie.
• His father was interred in a crypt beside Marilyn Monroe, which he purchased in memory of her.

Known for movies

Wasteland (1992)
as Director

An Occurrence at Black Canyon (2004)
as Producer

The Treasure of the Sierra Nevada (2009)
as Producer

Catch or Release? (2010)
as Producer

Who is David Hefner?

David Hefner was born on 30 August 1955, in Palo Alto, California, USA, and is a businessman, but better known for being the son of Hugh Hefner, the founder of “Playboy” magazine. His father built one of the most recognized international publications, which later became a much larger corporation spanning various media platforms.

The Riches of David Hefner

David Hefner has a net worth estimated to be over $500,000, thanks largely to his success in business; he owns his firm which is focused on computer consulting.

He also probably benefitted from the success of his father, possibly when he was alive and on his passing, as Hugh had a net worth estimated to be over $110 million.

Life and Career

David is the son of Hugh Hefner from his marriage to Mildred Williams, and grew up with an older sister. The marriage was marred with infidelity by both parties, as Mildred allowed Hefner to do what he wanted, as she had apparently cheated on him first. The two were divorced after a decade together, and David later had two half-siblings from his father’s marriage to Kimberly Conrad.

Unlike his other siblings, he did not pursue his father’s empire, and instead became a self-established businessman. He created his computer consulting firm, and mainly stayed in the background.

He also dabbled in film production, becoming involved in the creation of the independent film “Forgotten Pills”, which he wrote and directed and starred Christina Murphy and Shane Callahan, released as a part of the Dances With Films festival in Los Angeles.

He then worked on another film entitled “Washed”, which didn’t have the same success as his first endeavor. He’s since focused his efforts back towards consulting.

Father – Hugh Hefner

Hugh attended Steinmetz High School, and after matriculating, served in the US Army as a military newspaper writer from 1944 to ‘46. He then continued his studies by enrolling at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, completing a degree in psychology with minors in art and creative writing. He then started graduate courses in Sociology, but dropped out after a semester.

His first job came as a copywriter for the magazine “Esquire”, but after he was denied a raise, he left his job to start own his magazine. He took a loan of $600, and $8000 from investors to launch “Playboy”. The magazine’s first issue featured Marilyn Monroe during her nude calendar shoot four years prior, and it sold extremely well. He then collaborated with Charles Beaumont who was also rejected by Esquire and published his writings in “Playboy”, and also invited Dick Gregory to work for him, essentially launching his career.

"I want to live in a society in which people can voice unpopular opinions, because I know that, as a result of that, a society grows and matures."
-Hugh M. Hefner pic.twitter.com/RgzgsQcf3G

— Hugh M. Hefner (@hughhefner) October 5, 2019

The magazine continued to grow over the years, earning him huge wealth. He became known for his lifestyle, which included partying and relationships with many of “Playboys” models, known as Playmates. In 1959, he hosted “Playboy’s Penthouse” and later hosted “Playboy After Dark”.

Hugh Hefner’s Success and Latter Career

Hefner’s magazine grew into a much larger entity, and he became the chief creative officer of what would become Playboy Enterprises. During the civil rights movement of the 1960s, he established private clubs that featured more racially diverse clientele.

During the latter part of his career, he became involved in other popular media projects. He made a guest voicing contribution to an episode of “The Simpsons”, and helped fund the documentary entitled “Discovering the It Girl”. He also made a guest appearance in “Sex and the City”, “Entourage”, and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”.

In 2006, he made an appearance in an episode of “Robot Chicken”, and also voiced himself in “Family Guy”. Thanks to his appearances on films and television, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

View this post on Instagram

Hef passed away on September 27, 2017. On the 2nd anniversary of his death, we remember his love of life, his infectious laugh, and his lifelong fight against injustice. We celebrate him as a true visionary, an activist, adventurer, original gamer, animal lover, and all-time coolest pajama wearer. We miss you, Hef.

A post shared by Hugh M. Hefner (@hughhefner) on Sep 27, 2019 at 8:38am PDT

In 2010, a documentary was made about him called “Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist, and Rebel”. He also worked with producer Kevin Burns on the project called “Hugh Hefner: American Playboy”, and “The Girls Next Door”.

In 2012, he announced that his son Cooper would succeed him at “Playboy”. He passed away in 2017 due to sepsis caused by an E. coli infection.

Personal Life

David Hefner’s romantic life remains undisclosed – there are no details regarding any partners. He remains very close to his family, particularly his sister Christie, but for most of his life, he tried to stay away from the spotlight his father created thanks to his lifestyle and the image that “Playboy” gave out to the public.

Despite that, he remained supportive of Hugh. especially during his health struggles in the later stages of his life.

His father was interred in a crypt beside where Marilyn Monroe was buried – he bought the crypt in memory of the person which helped elevate his career when he was just starting. According to him, the opportunity to buy the crypt was hard to pass up.

Facts

#	Fact
1	Father of Isabelle Hefner.
2	Grandson of Harold Winston Hefner.
3	Attended South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard, Washington. (Class of 1988).
4	Son of Tom Hefner and Leah Hefner.
5	Loves playing video-games.
6	Loves Japanese anime.
7	Identical twin brother of Dan Hefner.
8	He is younger than Dan Hefner by 2 minutes.

Pictures

Movies

Assistant Director

Title	Year	Status	Character
Two Devils Lunch	2005	Short first assistant director - as David Hefner
Children of the Struggle	1999	second assistant director
The Landlord	1998	Short assistant director
Scraps	1997	Short assistant director
Real Violence	1996	Short second assistant director
Yellow Lotus	1995	Short second assistant director
LA Waltz	1995	Short assistant director
Cybernet	1995	TV Series assistant director - 2004-2005

Producer

Title	Year	Status	Character
Making of 'Ranchero'	2012	Video documentary short produced by - as David Hefner
Catch or Release?	2010	Video short producer - as David Hefner
The Treasure of the Sierra Nevada	2009	Short associate producer - as David Hefner
Two Devils Lunch	2005	Short producer - as David Hefner
An Occurrence at Black Canyon	2004	Short executive producer - as David Hefner
Cybernet	1995	TV Series segment producer - 2004-2005

Miscellaneous

Title	Year	Status	Character
The Treasure of the Sierra Nevada	2009	Short assistant production coordinator - as David Hefner
Ranchero	2008/I	production assistant - as Dave Hefner
Mitzi & Joe	1997	production assistant
Good Luck	1996	production assistant - uncredited
Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii	1973	TV Special documentary quality control - digitally restored version
Elvis	1968	TV Movie quality control - digitally restored version

Director

Title	Year	Status	Character
The Neighbor and the Beer	2011	Video short
Catch or Release?	2010	Video short as David Hefner
The Treasure of the Sierra Nevada	2009	Short as David Hefner
An Occurrence at Black Canyon	2004	Short as David Hefner
Wasteland	1992	Short as Dave Hefner

Actor

Title	Year	Status	Character
The Neighbor and the Beer	2011	Video short	Cannonballer (as David Hefner)
Rat Scratch Fever	2011		Co-pilot Dave (as David Hefner)
Ranchero	2008/I		Couple (uncredited)
An Occurrence at Black Canyon	2004	Short	Couple (as David Hefner)
Wasteland	1992	Short	Bounty Hunter (as Dave Hefner)

Sound Department

Title	Year	Status	Character
Making of 'Ranchero'	2012	Video documentary short sound - as David Hefner
The Treasure of the Sierra Nevada	2009	Short foley artist - as David Hefner
A Thousand Cranes	1996	Short production sound
Electrotica	1996	Short boom operator
Pool	1995	Short boom operator - uncredited

Writer

Title	Year	Status	Character
Catch or Release?	2010	Video short story by - as David Hefner
An Occurrence at Black Canyon	2004	Short written by - as David Hefner
Cybernet	1995	TV Series 2004-2005
Wasteland	1992	Short written by - as Dave Hefner

Editor

Title	Year	Status	Character
Cybernet	1995	TV Series 2004-2005
Wasteland	1992	Short as Dave Hefner

Production Manager

Title	Year	Status	Character
The Landlord	1998	Short production manager
LA Waltz	1995	Short production manager

Cinematographer

Title	Year	Status	Character
Wasteland	1992	Short camera

Camera Department

Title	Year	Status	Character
Making of 'Ranchero'	2012	Video documentary short lighting - as David Hefner

Editorial Department

Title	Year	Status	Character
Freak Talks About Sex	1999	assistant editor - uncredited

Transportation Department

Title	Year	Status	Character
The Treasure of the Sierra Nevada	2009	Short driver - as David Hefner

Thanks

Title	Year	Status	Character
Senioritis	2003	Short special thanks - as D. Hefner
God Hates Cartoons	2002	Video special thanks