HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—The influence of Larry Flynt’s Hustler brand on American culture cannot be denied, from the original Hustler Club of the 1970s to the iconic magazine to movies and retail—and, most importantly, as a beacon for free speech. The late Larry Flynt was a pioneer and patriot whose empire helped establish the modern adult industry while defending the rights of freedom of expression for all. (photo gallery)
Last night that legacy was celebrated at Hustler’s 50th Anniversary red carpet gala hosted by Mrs. Liz Flynt at the Hustler Hollywood store on Hollywood Boulevard. At the helm of Flynt Management Group since her husband died in 2021, Mrs. Flynt told AVN that she’s proud to uphold all that Hustler has stood for, for half a century.
“I think he would be very proud of the entire crowd that showed up for Larry Flynt tonight. Fifty years of Hustler, his legacy, and everything he’s fought for—freedom of expression, the First Amendment, and the U.S. Supreme Court making parody protected speech. To be able to say what you want and not get prosecuted,” she said.
“We are moving forward and more,” Flynt continued, speaking to the importance of the coming election in November. “We’re encouraging everyone to vote. It doesn’t matter what party you are. We have a lot at stake right now and you have to think about how important civil liberties are. We have everything to gain, but more to lose. So, we want everyone to be very responsible and vote.”
Congratulations were in order as Hustler and Flynt were recognized by both the City of Los Angeles and the State of California with special commendations.
In honor of the anniversary, September 19, 2024, was proclaimed Hustler Day in Hollywood with a presentation from Los Angeles City Council District 13 and the office of Hugo Soto-Martinez. “Congratulations on fifty years of breaking barriers and fighting for a more liberated and accepting society,” the city councilman’s representative said.
California State Senator Stephen Bradford also presented Mrs. Flynt with a plaque on behalf of the State, as he lauded what Hustler has meant to America and the world.
“I met Liz and Larry Flynt twenty-five years ago when they came to a little city named Gardena to start a casino. I was on the city council at that time and the majority of the city council didn’t want Larry to own that casino,” Bradford recalled.
“But I fought for Mr. Flynt because Mr. Flynt has fought for so many of us, for free speech. Patriotism is free speech and that’s what Larry represented his whole life and that’s what this magazine represents, and that’s what Liz represents now—the continuation of the work that he has done to allow us to live the lives that we all want to live, how we want to live, love who we want to love,” he said.
The party was attended by a list of industry veterans who also remembered what Flynt and Hustler had meant to their careers.
“Larry Flynt did an amazing job and he fought for free speech the whole time, and he never let anyone tell him, ‘No,’” adult novelty manufacturer Cal-Exotics founder and President Susan Colvin said. “And now Liz is the same kind of person. She will do whatever it takes to get the job done, whether it’s free speech or Hustler.
“Larry was always willing to try something new,” Colvin added, recalling how Flynt had been an early supporter of CalExotics products by stocking them in stores and how, as a retailer, Hustler had innovated the adult retail industry, taking it from “booths to boutiques.”
Talent agent Mark Spiegler was on hand and commented on free speech and his long association with Hustler. “I’m an absolute First Amendment person, and speech that you don’t like is the speech that needs to be protected—and that’s what Larry Flynt did,” he said.
“I’ve been looking at Hustler magazine longer than I’d like to admit,” said AVN Hall of Fame director Will Ryder, who arguably established the parody era of adult videos with his VCA/Hustler-produced titles including the Britney Rears series and 2007’s Not the Bradys XXX.
“Hustler gave me my start,” Ryder continued. “I had my first successful movie with Hustler, called Britney Rears, which went on to become the biggest-selling movie that year and put me on the map as a director and producer, with Scott David, and from then on, we had hit after hit with Hustler... When I first became a director, Larry Flynt took me to dinner, and I couldn’t believe I was sitting at the table with the great Larry Flynt.”
2009 AVN Female Performer of the Year Jenna Haze recalled her appearance in Hustler’s legendary Barely Legal video series directed by the late Clive McLean, and said, “I think this is an amazing, beautiful event and I’m honored to be here to help Hustler celebrate their fiftieth anniversary. I’ve been around the adult industry since I was nineteen and to see the company become such a cultural icon—everybody knows Hustler... I was lucky enough to know Larry when he was still alive.”
“He was quite the warrior for us,” veteran performer Tommy Gunn said, paying respect to Flynt.
The disco-themed soiree was packed with attendees from every industry sector, including longtime industry scribe Tod Hunter who recalled his fondness for Hustler magazine, dating back to when he was a young fan of adult films. Novelty professional Kim Airs indulged in some glittery fun from make-up artists at Lemonhead Los Angeles. A casino table hosted hands of blackjack, while a line formed for the Hustler magazine cover photo booth.
Many attendees wore gold attire, in keeping with the evening’s anniversary theme which was all dressed up with elegant white rose centerpieces on the tables and golden décor throughout.
Guests were served an appetizing array of mini-meatballs, pigs-in-a-blanket, and chicken sliders. An open bar was enjoyed by many, several of whom commented that the festivities were a welcome return to in-person activity, in the aftermath of the pandemic years.
The significance of the event wasn’t lost on starlet Aliya Brynn, who snapped selfies and said her first appearance in Hustler magazine was when she was 19, at the beginning of her career.
“I even bragged to my family about it because I knew it was a big deal,” Brynn said.
Also in attendance was a bevy of adult stars and models including Ana Foxxx, Gia Derza, Coco Lovelock, Selena Ivy, Valentina Nappi, Dana DeArmond, Tiffani Madison, Dharma Jones, Octavia Red, Olivia Jay, Goddess Kyaa, Leya Falcon, Hime Marie, Stella Luxx, Avery Jane, Charlie Forde, Lexi Lore, Maddy May, Avery Black, Bella Rolland, Marcia Hase, Gizelle Blanco, Brett Rossi, Millie Morgan, Jayne Doh, and male performers Kyle Mason, Oliver Davis, Will Pounder and Jay Romero, among others.
Photo by John Chennavasin
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