Cooper Hefner

{{Infobox person

| name = Cooper Hefner

| image = Cooper Hefner.jpg

| birth_name = Cooper Bradford Hefner

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|9|4}}

| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.

| education = Chapman University

| occupation = Businessman

| party = Democratic

| spouse = {{married|Scarlett Byrne|2019}}

| children = 3

| mother = Kimberley Conrad

| father = Hugh Hefner

| relatives = Christie Hefner (half-sister)

| module = {{infobox military person|embed=yes

| allegiance = {{plainlist|

{{flagu|California}}
{{flagu|United States}}

}}

| branch = {{plainlist|

}}

| serviceyears = 2019–present

| awards = United States Air & Space Commendation Medal

}}

Cooper Bradford Hefner (born September 4, 1991) is an American businessman.{{Cite news|url=https://wwd.com/business-news/media/cooper-hefner-on-a-modern-day-playboy-1202740844/|title=Cooper Hefner, Modern Day Playboy|author=Kari Hamanaka}}{{Cite web|url=https://usveteransmagazine.com/2019/12/hugh-hefners-son-enlists-air-force/|title=Hugh Hefner's Son Steps Down From Media Company, Enlists In Air Force | U.S. Veterans Magazine|work=US Veterans and Military Magazine | A US Veterans News Resource |date=December 14, 2019}} He is the managing partner of Hefner Capital.{{cite web |title=Hefner Capital Offers $100 Million, Equity to Buy Playboy Brand |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-21/hefner-capital-offers-100-million-equity-to-buy-playboy-brand |website=Bloomberg}} He has worked as the chief creative officer and chief of global partnerships at Playboy Enterprises, a company founded by his father, Hugh Hefner.{{cite magazine |last=Wile |first=Rob |date=September 28, 2017 |title=Meet Cooper Hefner, the 26-Year-Old Heir to the Playboy Empire |url=https://money.com/hugh-hefner-son-cooper-net-worth-playboy/ |url-status=live |magazine=Money.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128132709/https://money.com/hugh-hefner-son-cooper-net-worth-playboy/ |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |access-date=December 18, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/hugh-hefners-youngest-son-to-take-over-milliondollar-playboy-empire/news-story/7c6be1760e0e8ab40c104bb704c0854c|title=High Hefner's youngest son to take over million-dollar Playboy Empire|publisher=News Corp Australia Network|author=Staff writer|date=September 29, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2017}} He was also the founder and initial chief executive officer of the startup company Hop.{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/arts/can-cooper-hefner-make-playboy-cool-again-were-about-to-find-out-7113709|title=Can Cooper Hefner Make Playboy Cool Again? We're About to Find Out|work=LA Weekly|last=Tavana|first=Art|date=July 21, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2017}}

Early life

Hefner was born on September 4, 1991, in Los Angeles, California, to Hugh Hefner (1926–2017) and Kimberley Conrad.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-insane-life-of-hugh-hefners-son-cooper-hefner-2017-9/#then-there-are-the-cars-he-drives-some-pretty-nice-ones-here-he-is-on-a-road-trip-to-vegas-16|title=The insane life of 26-year-old Cooper Hefner, son of the late Playboy millionaire|work=Business Insider|last=Millington|first=Alison|date=September 28, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2017}}{{cite web|last=|first=|date=August 6, 2015|title=Cooper Hefner Engaged to Falling Skies Actress Scarlett Byrne – See Her Massive Ring!|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/stylish/news/cooper-hefner-engaged-to-girlfriend-scarlett-byrne-ring-photo-201568/|access-date=|work=Us Magazine}} He grew up in a mansion adjacent to the Playboy Mansion, which was purchased by his father after his parents separated.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/cooper-hefner-playboy-mansion-sold-2016-12|title=Hugh Hefner's son reveals what it was like growing up in the Playboy Mansion|date=December 26, 2016|publisher=Business Insider}} Hefner graduated from Ojai Valley School in 2009 and received a bachelor's degree from Chapman University in 2015.

Career

Hefner started working for Playboy Enterprises, Inc. when he was in college.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/video/playboy-founder-hugh-hefner-talks-life-and-company/1D22D3C6-A2E1-40E0-A047-972BD8E65A67.html|title=Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner Talks Life and Company|work=The Wall Street Journal|author=Staff writer|date=November 29, 2012|access-date=December 19, 2017}} In early 2016, Hefner, who was a board observer at the time, left the company due to disagreements with then CEO Scott Flanders about the direction the company was taking.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/hugh-hefners-son-cooper-plans-remake-playboy-my-generation-1031468|title=The Next Hef: Hugh's 25-Year-Old Son Reveals Plan to Remake Playboy 'For My Generation'|work=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Baum|first=Gary|date=August 24, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2017}} He then began editing, writing and publishing op-eds, which centered on politics, culture and philosophy.

In 2016, Hefner launched the media startup company Hop (Hefner Operations & Productions), focused on content and social events for millennials.{{cite web|url=http://www.redhotretro.com/2016/04/13/a-speakeasy-night-by-hop-media/|title=A Speakeasy Night By Hop Media|publisher=Red Hot Retro|access-date=December 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101030415/http://www.redhotretro.com/2016/04/13/a-speakeasy-night-by-hop-media/|archive-date=January 1, 2018|url-status=dead}} He returned to Playboy and was named chief creative officer of the company in July 2016 when Hugh Hefner stepped down from that post. In February 2017, Hefner announced nude images would return to the magazine, stating that the problem had been the presentation of nude images rather than the nudity itself. He also oversaw the decision to feature Playboy's first transgender playmate in the centerfold for its November issue.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/19/arts/playboy-playmate-transgender.html?_r=0|title=Playboy to Feature Its First Transgender Playmate|work=The New York Times|last=Salam|first=Maya|date=October 19, 2017|access-date=December 19, 2017}}

Playboy's earnings for 2017 increased by more than 39 percent year-over-year following Hefner's return to the company.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/59f747e4a7ea436b47b489c0/cooper-hefner-26/#38f00617f849|title=Cooper Hefner, 26|work=Forbes}} In January 2018, The Wall Street Journal reported the controlling shareholder of Playboy Enterprises was considering ending the U.S. print edition of Playboy Magazine, stating the magazine has lost as much as $7 million annually in recent years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/playboy-might-kill-magazine-to-focus-on-world-of-playboy-1514808003|title=Playboy Might Kill Magazine to Focus on 'World of Playboy'|first=Lukas I.|last=Alpert|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=January 1, 2018|via=www.wsj.com}} Hefner has been recognized on The Folio: 100 list for 2017 for his contributions to the magazine media industry as well as appearing on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.foliomag.com/events/folio-100-awards-networking-reception-2017/|title=The Folio: 100 Awards|publisher=Folio Magazine}}

In January 2019, Hefner took over as the chief of global partnerships for Playboy Enterprises. In that position, he would focus on revenue and business development over content and media management.{{Cite web|url=http://playboyph.com/articles/cooper-hefner-takes-over-chief-global-partnership-role/|title=Cooper Hefner takes over as Chief, Global Partnership}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.foliomag.com/meredith-appoints-new-chief-strategy-officer-people-move/|title=Meredith Appoints New Chief Strategy Officer | People on the Move|date=January 10, 2019|website=Folio}} In April 2019, Playboy Enterprises CEO Ben Kohn confirmed Hefner would exit his senior role at Playboy to launch a media brand, the Hefner Media Corporation, and a digital content platform called HefPost.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/cooper-hefner-exits-playboy-launch-millennial-focused-website-hefpost-1200044|title=Cooper Hefner Exits Playboy Role to Launch Millennial-Focused Website HefPost|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 12, 2019}} Later, through an Instagram account after having left Playboy, in July 2019 Hefner stated his new digital content platform would be called instead StagDaily.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/cooper-hefner-marries-scarlett-byrne-1251832|title=Cooper Hefner Marries Girlfriend Scarlett Byrne|date=November 4, 2019|website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |title=We ran into issues with HefPost due to HuffPost and challenges with Hefner Post due to the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation structured to continue its work combating social injustice. We have finally landed on a new name. We look forward to introducing Stag Daily in the months ahead. |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BzjUZV6p0v8/?img_index=1 |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=Instagram}}

In December 2019, Hefner halted plans to start a media company and digital content platform, and enlisted in the United States Air Force.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/hugh-hefner-son-cooper-joins-air-force|title=Hugh Hefner's Son Joins Air Force|date=December 18, 2019|publisher=Fox News}} He had previously been a member of the California State Military Reserve.{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-insane-life-of-hugh-hefners-son-cooper-hefner-2017-9 |title=The insane life of 26-year-old Cooper Hefner, son of the late Playboy millionaire |last=Millington |first=Allison |date= March 21, 2013|website= |publisher=Business Insider |access-date=October 5, 2017 |quote=}} He was deployed stateside to New Jersey's Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst for Operation Allies Welcome, which supported resettlement of approximately 130,000 refugees airlifted from Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/politics/hugh-hefners-son-on-his-recent-deployment-to-help-afghan-refugees/|title=Cooper Hefner on Recent Deployment to Help Resettle Afghan Refugees: 'Bright Days Ahead'|author=Virginia Chamlee|date=November 3, 2021|publisher=People.com}}

In October 2024, Hefner offered $100 million through his firm Hefner Capital to purchase Playboy with the parent company PLBY Group’s shares having declined roughly 99% from a high of $57.70 in May 2021. PLBY, which had reported a decline in revenue, said in August that it is re-launching Playboy magazine as an annual edition, as of February 2025.{{cite web |last1=Weprin |first1=Alex |title=Cooper Hefner Plots $100M Playboy Acquisition (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/cooper-hefner-plans-playboy-takeover-offer-1236039881/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 21, 2024 }}

Personal life

In 2015, Hefner became engaged to British actress Scarlett Byrne, best known for her role as student Pansy Parkinson in the Harry Potter series. On November 4, 2019, Hefner and Byrne announced that they had married. On August 24, 2020, Byrne gave birth to their first daughter.{{cite web|url= https://people.com/parents/cooper-hefner-scarlett-byrne-welcome-daughter/|title=Hugh Hefner's Son Cooper and Harry Potter Star Scarlett Byrne Welcome Daughter Betsy Rose|work=People|publisher=Meredith Corporation|date=August 25, 2020}} On March 26, 2022, she gave birth to twin daughters.{{cite news|last=Howie|first=Michael|date=March 29, 2022|title=Harry Potter star Scarlett Byrne welcomes twin daughters with husband Cooper Hefner|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/harry-potter-star-scarlett-byrne-announces-baby-news-b991250.html|work=Evening Standard|access-date=March 30, 2022}}

Hefner teaches at Chapman University, where he also serves on the board of governors.{{cite tweet |number=1059526172747292672 |user=cooperhefner |title=It's an honor and a real treat being invited to return to Chapman University @ChapmanU not as a student this time around, but as a faculty member. I look forward to teaching evening classes beginning next year at my alma mater. |first=Cooper |last=Hefner |author-link=Cooper Hefner |date=November 5, 2018 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129095856/https://twitter.com/cooperhefner/status/1059526172747292672 |archive-date=January 29, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/cooper-hefner-wife-scarlett-expecting-first-child-1283566 |title=Cooper Hefner and Wife Scarlett Expecting First Child |last=Gardner |first=Chris |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 10, 2020 |language=en |access-date=March 28, 2020}}

Hefner considered running for Congress in California's 37th congressional district in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/who-cooper-hefner-hughs-son-doesnt-respect-trump-revamping-playboy-673370|title=Who Is Cooper Hefner? Hugh's Son Doesn't Respect Trump And Is Revamping 'Playboy' For New Generations|work=Newsweek|last=Ziv|first=Stav|date=September 28, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2017}} In July 2020, He announced his campaign as a Democrat for the California Senate in 2022, in the state's 30th District, but suspended his campaign four months later.{{Cite web|author=Alison Kosik|title=Cooper Hefner, son of Playboy founder, announces campaign for California Senate|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/13/politics/cooper-hefner-california-senate/index.html|access-date=July 30, 2020|website=CNN|date=July 13, 2020 }}{{cite tweet |number=1333514602471071745 |user=cooperhefner |title=Today we are suspending our California State Senate exploratory campaign in light of another service commitment. I remain committed to working towards build a better government and society. 1/2 |first=Cooper |last=Hefner |author-link=Cooper Hefner |date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305064236/https://twitter.com/cooperhefner/status/1333514602471071745 |archive-date=March 5, 2022 |url-status=live}}

Cooper Hefner

Early life

Career

Personal life

References

Further reading