LOS ANGELES—Prior to the start of the virtual GFY Awards on Thursday at #interNEXT21, Wasteland.com founder Colin Rowntree and Holly Ruprecht, who worked at LFP Inc. from 2015 to 2018, offered a touching tribute in memory of Hustler founder Larry Flynt, who passed away Wednesday morning.
Rowntree began by recounting a brief history of Flynt’s life as he rose from early poverty to become a legendary figure in American law, politics, and culture, and formidable businessman. Following that, Rowntree read statements by Free Speech Coalition Board Chair, attorney Jeffrey Douglas, and former LFP Inc. President Michael Klein, neither of whom were able to attend.
“Mr. Flynt was irascible, idiosyncratic, and astonishingly brave,” said Douglas. “He lived with but found ways to overcome intolerable pain since the assassination attempts, yet he persevered. We are lessened by the void his death has created. There will never be such a person again.”
“Working for Larry was definitely a highlight of my career,” said Klein. “I first met him when one of his EVPs had me come to tell Larry about how he could get into the broadcasting business. I told him he will probably make a million less in the first year by not licensing his content to others, but he could make way more in the second year and beyond. Without hesitation, he said go ahead, and asked me to come on board to create Hustler TV, which is now the largest adult broadcasting network worldwide.
"Larry was a visionary and took chances and turned those into the biggest companies in entertainment across multiple platforms. He was funny, witty, generous, and very smart. I spent eleven-and-a-half years there, became president after a couple of years, and I learned so much from him every day. The industry owes a lot to Larry for the barriers he broke, and we all enjoy our first amendment rights because of his fight and resilience. Definitely one of the best our industry had, and he will definitely be missed.”
Holly Ruprecht, who now is with Playboy, spoke poignantly about her time working in LFP’s incomparable Wilshire Blvd. offices.
“I worked for Mr. Flynt for three and something years,” she said. “And Mr. Flynt, as he had us call him, insisted that we dress up every single day for the office. He insisted that everybody be on time, always. And he went to the office every single day. He was always there working hard and expected the same from employees.
"When Christmas came around, he and Mrs. Flynt would throw extravagant parties, and he would always open with a joke about some Republican. He was a man that was very tough, especially on me, but very fair. I have so many fond memories working for Hustler, and everyone in this room owes him a debt of gratitude. I know wherever he is that he is dressed in his best suit, and always on time. So, let's all raise a glass to Mr. Flynt and everything that he did. Thank you.”
Rowntree ended the memorial with a benediction from the heart. “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you. May his presence go before you, in your coming and your going, in your weeping and rejoicing, and give you peace. Amen.”
With that, the #GFYawards21 commenced.
For more remembrances of Flynt, click here.
