In Memoriam: Hugh Hefner

007 Travelers is sad to hear about the death of Hugh Marston Hefner 

Born: 9 April 1926
Died: 27 September 2017

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Hefner was an American magazine publisher, editor, businessman, and playboy. He was best known as the editor-in-chief and publisher of Playboy magazine, which he founded in 1953. He was also the founder and chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, the publishing group that operates the magazine. A multi-millionaire, his net worth at the time of his death was over $43 million due to his success as the founder of Playboy. Hefner was also a political activist and philanthropist active in several causes and public issues.

He appeared also in the world of James Bond. 007 met him in Raymond Benson's Bond short story "Midsummer Night's Doom" (1999).

" "Excuse me, Mr. Hefner," Lisa said, stepping up to the group.

He turner to her and beamed. "Lisa! he said, interrupting his conversation to give her a hug. "You look lovely."

"Thank you. May I introduce Mr. Bond?"

He held out his hand to Bond and said. "Hugh Hefner."

"Bond, James Bond." The handshake was firm and dry.

The founder and publisher of Playboy magazine looked fit and energetic, and seemed to be taller than Bond remembered. He carried himself with authority and dignity, yet he also exhibited characteristics of playfulness and good humour."

Raymond Benson: "Midsummer Night's Doom" (1999) 


Many Bond girls from the movies have been in the pages of Playboy magazine and Bond himself is a member of the London Playboy Club, which is revealed in "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971), where Bond (Sean Connery) has a member card.

In "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969) 007 (George Lazenby) reads February 1969 issue of Playboy magazine when he is in Bern, Switzerland.

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

007 Book: Raymond Benson - James Bond Choice of Weapons - Three 007 novels

Book: James Bond Choice of Weapons - Three 007 novels
Author: Raymond Benson
Pages: 847
Language: English


Including the short stories "Live at Five" (1999) and "Midsummer Night's Doom" (1999)

Includes: "Zero Minus Ten" (1997), "The Facts of Death" (1998) and "The Man with the Red Tattoo" (2002).

See more 007 BOOKS here

007 Book: "Midsummer Night's Doom" (1999)

Midsummer Night's Doom is a part
of the book Choice of Weapons

Bond book: “Midsummer Night´s Doom”

Author: Raymond Benson

Publication year: January 1999

"Midsummer Night's Doom" is the eleventh James Bond short story and the second written by Raymond Benson. It was first published in the January 1999 issue of Playboy magazine.

In a special story commissioned to help celebrate Playboy's 45th anniversary, Bond is assigned to attend a party at Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills California where Ministry of Defence secrets are expected to be sold to a representative of the Russian Mafia.

See more information here

See more 007 BOOKS here