Dennis Hof
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Dennis Hof (born October 15, 1946), is an American entrepreneur, restaurateur, and legal bordello operator. He is best known as the latter, owning two legal brothels in Nevada[1] His brothels are in Moundhouse, Nevada, a few minutes outside Carson City, less than an hour by car from Reno, Nevada. He also owns a nightclub restaurant, NV50, across the street from the Moonlite Bunny Ranch.
In Cathouse: The Musical, Hof reveals that he only dates prostitutes. "I don't date civilians (non-working girls)." The documentary series has shown his several relationships with employees, most notably adult film star Sunset Thomas.[2]
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[edit] The Moonlite Bunny Ranch
Hof started by purchasing and remodeling The Moonlite BunnyRanch, founded in 1955; he also purchased another brothel, formerly Kitty's, and renamed it The BunnyRanch Two. In contrast to other Nevada brothel owners, members of the Nevada Brothel Owners' Association, who prefer to keep a low profile[citation needed], Hof, despite Nevada laws which ban brothel advertising,[3] maintains a high profile to create publicity for his brothels[citation needed].
He also operates a website[4] and the "working girls" are encouraged to cultivate online relationships with potential, and past, clients. He often appears on talk shows, employs adult film stars, e.g., Sunset Thomas, and other women who have achieved notoriety[citation needed]. He has also given free offers to returning soldiers.[citation needed]
In early 2009, due to the recession, State Sen. Bob Coffin (D) had proposed legalizing prostitution statewide for tax purposes. Hof was prominently featured in a number of media reports saying he would expand into Las Vegas given the opportunity, and was already eying some closed casinos as property.[5] However, the Nevada lawmakers had refused to consider the proposal of statewide legal prostitution during that legislative session. [6]
[edit] Cathouse series
The biggest boost, arguably, to the Moonlite Bunny Ranches' profile--and Hof's--was the HBO documentary special Cathouse.[7] Two documentary series followed. In 2005 Cathouse: The Series[8] premiered. Cathouse 2: Back in the Saddle[9] appeared in 2007.
Both featured a look at the inner working of a legal house of prostitution as well as the life of a number of the "working girls," borrowing some techniques from "Reality TV" such as camera-only interviews and staged "spontaneity."
[edit] Media persona
Dennis Hof has appeared in "Rod Ryan Show" (94.5, The Buzz), American Pimp, The Tyra Banks Show, Lex and Terry, the Opie and Anthony Show, The Howard Stern Show, The Bubba The Love Sponge Show, Loveline with Stryker & Dr. Drew, "Derek and Romaine" and on Dr. Phil, as well as giving a tour/interview to conservative pundit Sean Hannity[10]on Hannity and Colmes. Hof and the Bunny Ranch were profiled in the The New Yorker magazine's 23 April 2001 issue.[11]
Hof was interviewed on FOX News in December 2007[citation needed] for his support for Republican Party presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul in the Republican caucus in Nevada. "Pimpin' for Paul" was a deal that provided two bunnies for one; campaign donations were collected for Paul.
[edit] References
- ^ In the state of Nevada prostitution's legality is determined on a county-by-county basis. NRS 244.345
- ^ Cathouse: The Musical
- ^ "Unlawful advertising of prostitution", NRS 201.430 and 201.440
- ^ Bunny Ranch Home Page
- ^ http://www.abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=6815445&page=1
- ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29181044/
- ^ Cathouse (2002) at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Cathouse: The Series at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Cathouse: Back in the Saddle at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Hannity Interview link
- ^ Letter from Nevada - American Pimp - How to Make an Honest Living From the Oldest Profession. The New Yorker, 23 April 2001
