Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner Saves Hollywood Sign On Cahuenga Peak

by NowPublic Staff | April 26, 2010 at 11:31 am

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Hollywood Sign Saved by $900,000 Donation From Hugh Hefner

Sitting on the top of Cahuenga Peak with nearby Griffith Park, the Hollywood sign is the most iconic symbol of Hollywood and the movie industry.

Now, the Trust For Public Land (TPL) has finally been able to raise the $12.5 million dollars that will ensure the Sign and more importantly, the land around will stay as a park entrusted to the city.

Today, we have the Hollywood ending we hoped for and now Cahuenga Peak will be forever protected by adding it to Griffith Park," said Will Rogers, TPL President. "We want to thank the thousands of donors worldwide who so generously helped us, and we owe a particular thanks to Hugh Hefner, who stepped forward at the end to close the final gap."

Other donors included the Getty Foundation, the CBS corporation, director Steven Spielberg, actor Tom Hanks, Lucas Film Foundation, director Norman Lear, Time Warner, the Walt Disney Corporation and others. Hugh Hefner stepped in at the 11th hour with his $900 thousand donation.

"My childhood dreams and fantasies came from the movies, and the images created in Hollywood had a major influence on my life and Playboy," Hefner said in a statement. "As I've said before, the Hollywood sign is Hollywood's Eiffel Tower and I'm pleased to help preserve such an important cultural landmark."