HUGH HEFNER

Hugh Hefner was a publisher and businessman from the 1950s until he passed away in 2017. Of course, he best known for founding of Playboy magazine in 1953. He was initially a copywriter for Esquire, but when he was denied a raise, he left, raised $8,000, and launched Playboy. Hugh Hefner has definitely led a controversial personal life, but he has also been involved with philanthropy, including funding restoration of the Hollywood sign and raising money for the Democratic Party (though recently he has identified himself as an independent!).