10 Images Remembering Playboy Icon Hugh Hefner

Hugh Hefner, the publishing magnate who founded Playboy magazine, died Wednesday at age 91.

At its peak in the 1970s, Playboy became synonymous with a lifestyle as the brand grew to encompass merchandising, television shows, sponsoring events like jazz festivals, and opening up a string of clubs.

Here are 10 images remembering the Playboy founder and icon:

Playboy founder Hugh Hefner poses in front of the Playboy Mansion Haunted House in Los Angeles, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 27, 2006. (AP Photo/Dan Sternberg)

American magazine publisher, founder, and chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises Hugh Hefner at his home (aka Playboy Mansion) in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Kristian Dowling)

Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner sits with January 2000 Playmates Carol, left, and Darlene Bernaola, Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999, at his home in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Hugh Hefner and Pamela Anderson at the Playboy 50th anniversary party at New York's Armory, New York, on Dec. 4, 2003. (Rex Features via AP Images)

Paris Hilton posted this image to her Instagram page after news of Hefner's passing broke Wednesday night. "So sad to hear the news about @HughHefner. He was a #Legend, innovator, genius, one of a kind with a heart of gold. We had so many fun & incredible memories together. I will miss him dearly. Rest In Peace my friend," she captioned the pic.

Hugh Hefner, left, and model Crystal Harris, whom he would later marry, at a party celebrating the release of the book "Hugh Hefner's Playboy," a limited edition anthology by Taschen, in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009.  (AP Photo/Dan Sternberg)

Playboy magazine publisher Hugh Hefner is shown aboard his private plane in 1970. (AP Photo)

In this June 25, 1986, file photo, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, center, poses with a group of current and former Playboy bunnies at the Playboy Club in Los Angeles days before the club closed. (AP Photo, File)

This photo taken on August 21, 1970, shows Playboy magazine publisher Hugh Hefner (top, 2nd L), film director Roman Polanski (top), his girlfriend actress Barbara Benton (first row, L), and other playmates arriving at Le Bourget airport with the Playboy jet "Big Bunny." (Staff/AFP/Getty Images)

Playboy magazine founder Hugh M. Hefner (center left) stands next to his likeness in wax along with former Playboy centerfold models after a ceremony at the Hollywood Wax Museum on February 20, 2001, in Hollywood. (Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images)

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