Historic Hollywood sign saved by Hugh Hefner and others

Hugh Hefner has saved Hollywood…sort of. That is because the 84 year old founder of Playboy magazine donated $900,000 toward a $12.5 million fundraiser to protect the 138 acres behind the historic sign.

A group of investors were interested in buying the land from a Chicago owner, with plans to build luxury mansions along the ridge line. But the money raised from Hefner and others will now go toward buying the land from the owners and giving it to the city of Los Angeles. Plans are to incorporate the sign with nearby Griffith Park without any buildings blocking the view.

The sign has been a part of the Los Angeles skyline since it was erected in 1923 as an advertisement for a housing development. It originally read "Hollywoodland." This is not the first time "Hef" has helped the sign, as he held an auction in the late 70s to raise money to fix and restore it after years of neglect.

Source: BBC News