Larry Flynt — the controversial porn titan who gave the world Hustler magazine — has died. Family sources broke the news to TMZ today, stating the famed publisher passed away on Wednesday morning (February 10) as the result of heart failure. Flynt was 78.
While Flynt drew more than a little controversy during his life, he emerged as one of the biggest and most famed figures in adult entertainment, largely thanks to his boundary-pushing Hustler magazine. The publication was first launched in 1974, giving Flynt not only worldwide fame but also a never-ending string of legal battles.
This was immortalized in the 1996 Oscar-nominated film The People vs. Larry Flynt, which found Woody Harrelson starring as the porn figure. The Oliver Stone-produced movie also featured the likes of Courtney Love and Edward Norton.
As the film showed, Flynt's infamous reputation found him the victim of a murder attempt by serial killer Joseph Paul Franklin in 1978, leaving the publisher paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
In addition to Hustler, Flynt branched out into pornographic films and television. He also fought multiple high-profile legal battles involving America's First Amendment rights, as well as ran for public office (unsuccessfully).
Flynt was married five times during his life. He is survived by his current wife Elizabeth Berrios, five daughters and one son, as well as multiple grandchildren.
While Flynt drew more than a little controversy during his life, he emerged as one of the biggest and most famed figures in adult entertainment, largely thanks to his boundary-pushing Hustler magazine. The publication was first launched in 1974, giving Flynt not only worldwide fame but also a never-ending string of legal battles.
This was immortalized in the 1996 Oscar-nominated film The People vs. Larry Flynt, which found Woody Harrelson starring as the porn figure. The Oliver Stone-produced movie also featured the likes of Courtney Love and Edward Norton.
As the film showed, Flynt's infamous reputation found him the victim of a murder attempt by serial killer Joseph Paul Franklin in 1978, leaving the publisher paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
In addition to Hustler, Flynt branched out into pornographic films and television. He also fought multiple high-profile legal battles involving America's First Amendment rights, as well as ran for public office (unsuccessfully).
Flynt was married five times during his life. He is survived by his current wife Elizabeth Berrios, five daughters and one son, as well as multiple grandchildren.