Hugh Hefner remembered for mark he left on Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (KSNV NEWS3LV) — Hugh Hefner lived a life that was very controversial to some and empowering to others.

One thing is certain, Hefner made a name for himself in the entertainment industry here in Las Vegas and around the world.

Hefner passed away Wednesday night at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles at 91-years-old. The magazine confirms he died of natural causes.

Hefner made quite the impression in Las Vegas with his partnership at the Palms, birthing the Playboy Club that stood for many years and a Hugh Hefner suite at the Sky Villas.

The Palms released a statement about Hefner's death saying in part:

"We ventured on a journey to create a lifetime of lasting memories for our guests and forever change the Las Vegas party scene. Mission accomplished."

News 3's Dana Wagner had the opportunity to interview Hefner at the Playboy Mansion back in 2002 where they were showing off the Playboy slot machines to would eventually be brought over to Las Vegas.

"He was very low-key. He was fairly low energy I thought, not in a bad way. He's never been over the top or ostentatious in that regard," said Wagner.

Hefner's career did spew controversy. Images that seem rather tame by today's standards, weren't so tame in the 50's.

"In 1953 it was anything but tame," said Wagner. "People called him a smut peddler, people tried to say he couldn't do what he was doing but he did it. They used first amendment rights, of course. A lot of people supported him but a lot of people in this country did not. He changed the way we viewed sex in this country, almost single-handedly."

Hefner leaves behind 4 children and his latest wife Crystal Harris.

According to reports from TMZ, Hefner bought a burial site in L.A.'s Westwood Village Memorial Park next to Marylin Monroe's site in 1992.

Monroe was on the first Playboy magazine cover in 1953.

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