RIP - Bob Guccione (Penthouse Magazine founder)

[dabstudio]

Bob Guccione, who founded Penthouse magazine and created an erotic corporate empire around it, only to see it crumble as his investments soured and the world of pornography turned toward video and the Internet, died Wednesday. He was 79.

A statement issued by the Guccione family says he died at Plano Specialty Hospital in Plano. His wife, April Dawn Warren Guccione, had said he had battled lung cancer for several years.

Penthouse reached the pinnacle of its popularity in September 1984, when it published nude pictures of Vanessa Williams, the first black Miss America. Williams, now a singer and actress, was forced to relinquish her crown after the release of the issue, which sold nearly 6 million copies and reportedly made $14 million.

A frustrated artist who once attended a Catholic seminary, Guccione started Penthouse in 1965 in England to subsidize his art career and was the magazine's first photographer. He introduced the magazine to the American public in 1969 at the height of the feminist movement and the sexual revolution.

Penthouse quickly posed a challenge to Hugh Hefner's Playboy by offering a mix of tabloid journalism with provocative photos of nude women, dubbed Penthouse Pets.

"We followed the philosophy of voyeurism," Guccione told The Independent newspaper in London in 2004. He added that he attained a stylized eroticism in his photography by posing his models looking away from the camera.

"To see her as if she doesn't know she's being seen," he said. "That was the sexy part. That was the part that none of our competition understood."

Guccione estimated that Penthouse earned $4 billion during his reign as publisher. He was listed in the Forbes 400 ranking of wealthiest people with a net worth of about $400 million in 1982.

Guccione built a corporate empire under the General Media Inc. umbrella that included book publishing and merchandising divisions and Viva, a magazine featuring male nudes aimed at a female audience. He also created Penthouse Forum, the pocket-size magazine that played off the success of the racy letters to the editor that began, "Dear Penthouse, I never thought I'd be writing you…"Guccione and longtime business collaborator Kathy Keeton, who later became his third wife, also published more mainstream fare, such as Omni magazine, which focused on science and science fiction, and Longevity, a health advice magazine. Keeton died of cancer in 1997 following surgery, but Guccione continued to list her on the Penthouse masthead as president.

Guccione lost much of his personal fortune on bad investments and risky ventures.

Probably his best-known business failure was a $17.5 million investment in the 1979 production of the X-rated film "Caligula." Malcolm McDowell was cast as the decadent emperor of the title, and the supporting cast included Helen Mirren, John Gielgud and Peter O'Toole.

Distributors shunned the film, with its graphic scenes of lesbianism and incest. However, it eventually became General Media's most popular DVD.

Guccione also lost millions on a proposed Atlantic City casino.

[Rockindeano]

A true pioneer. Guy assisted me greatly in my adolescent years, educated me as well with the Penthouse Letters. I used to burn a 20 out of my old man's wallet when he slept just to go down to 7-11 and get Penthouse and Forum Letters, and of course I picked up a cherry slurpee and a few Slim Jims with the change.

RIP Bob.

[Jeremey]

Boo hoo, another rich white guy died.

[Michigan Girl]

A true pioneer. Guy assisted me greatly in my adolescent years, educated me as well with the Penthouse Letters. I used to burn a 20 out of my old man's wallet when he slept just to go down to 7-11 and get Penthouse and Forum Letters, and of course I picked up a cherry slurpee and a few Slim Jims with the change.

RIP Bob.

good times ...

[lights1961]

A true pioneer. Guy assisted me greatly in my adolescent years, educated me as well with the Penthouse Letters. I used to burn a 20 out of my old man's wallet when he slept just to go down to 7-11 and get Penthouse and Forum Letters, and of course I picked up a cherry slurpee and a few Slim Jims with the change.

RIP Bob.

CLASSIC... I was 16, with my first purchase...

[ebake02]

Penthouse was the first real hardcore skin mag I ever saw. The first adult magazine in general for me was playboy (Carmen Electra too ). I don't count that one though.

[Rockindeano]

Penthouse was the first real hardcore skin mag I ever saw. The first adult magazine in general for me was playboy (Carmen Electra too ). I don't count that one though.

Playboy never had lesbian action. I have never seen lesbo action in Playboy, even up to today. I vividly recall Penthouse being my favourite because it had girl on girl scenes. You can't beat that shit.

[Saint John]

Playboy never had lesbian action. I have never seen lesbo action in Playboy, even up to today. I vividly recall Penthouse being my favourite because it had girl on girl scenes. You can't beat that shit.

Good on Playboy for not showing pictures of that disgusting faggoty shit. That's gross, man.

[Rockindeano]

Playboy never had lesbian action. I have never seen lesbo action in Playboy, even up to today. I vividly recall Penthouse being my favourite because it had girl on girl scenes. You can't beat that shit.

Good on Playboy for not showing pictures of that disgusting faggoty shit. That's gross, man.

"It's hip to be square" huh Danny? C'mon dude, hot sexy chicks grinding on each other? That gets me all wooded up.

[ebake02]

Playboy never had lesbian action. I have never seen lesbo action in Playboy, even up to today. I vividly recall Penthouse being my favourite because it had girl on girl scenes. You can't beat that shit.

Good on Playboy for not showing pictures of that disgusting faggoty shit. That's gross, man.

hot sexy chicks grinding on each other?

Nothing better!!

[Rockindeano]

Playboy never had lesbian action. I have never seen lesbo action in Playboy, even up to today. I vividly recall Penthouse being my favourite because it had girl on girl scenes. You can't beat that shit.

Good on Playboy for not showing pictures of that disgusting faggoty shit. That's gross, man.

hot sexy chicks grinding on each other?

Nothing better!!

Dude, you are a Sabre fan in Pennsylvania? How the Hell does that work? How does Penguin fan not roll you when he sees you strolling down Main Street in Buffalo gear? I am guessing there are a shitload of Crosby jersey's in PGH, no?

[ebake02]

Playboy never had lesbian action. I have never seen lesbo action in Playboy, even up to today. I vividly recall Penthouse being my favourite because it had girl on girl scenes. You can't beat that shit.

Good on Playboy for not showing pictures of that disgusting faggoty shit. That's gross, man.

hot sexy chicks grinding on each other?

Nothing better!!

Dude, you are a Sabre fan in Pennsylvania? How the Hell does that work? How does Penguin fan not roll you when he sees you strolling down Main Street in Buffalo gear? I am guessing there are a shitload of Crosby jersey's in PGH, no?

I live close to the PA/NY border so there's more Sabres fans than think. I swear everybody in that damn city has a Crosby jersey.

[Ehwmatt]

Playboy never had lesbian action. I have never seen lesbo action in Playboy, even up to today. I vividly recall Penthouse being my favourite because it had girl on girl scenes. You can't beat that shit.

Good on Playboy for not showing pictures of that disgusting faggoty shit. That's gross, man.

Lesbians don't do shit for me either. Part of the appeal of porn to me is the "vicarious" appeal when you see a chick bangin a dude - you can put yourself in the scene with the girl or even just analogize it to your own sexual experiences (ok, hopefully you aren't dating or fucking a slut that allows you to do 75% of what the dudes in porn do to chicks), but you get my point. A broad munching another's rug or slamming a chick with a giant strap-on just isn't sex or sexy to me.

[Jubilee]

It's always sad to hear of someone's passing...

That being said, I'll bet Vannessa Williams is loading up on Avian right now. That way, if she ever finds out where that SOB's grave site is, she'll be ready to piss on it at a moments notice.

[Saint John]

It's always sad to hear of someone's passing...

This is one of the stupidest fucking things I've ever read. You don't wanna hear Bin Laden was gang-raped by camels, set afire and thrown off a cliff? Or simply killed by a drone. That would make you "sad?"

[Michigan Girl]

It's always sad to hear of someone's passing...

That being said, I'll bet Vannessa Williams is loading up on Avian right now. That way, if she ever finds out where that SOB's grave site is, she'll be ready to piss on it at a moments notice.

That was my one and only Penthouse purchase ….course, later I hated that I contributed to the sensationalism and the pocketbook of that man. That said, I’m sure once her name was announced and that crown was placed on her head, she lived in constant fear. Those photos were bad, at the time, for a Miss America~ forget the fact that she was a history making Miss America … shame it went down the way it did, but her career went zoooooooooooom.

[Rhiannon]

That was my one and only Penthouse purchase ….course, later I hated that I contributed to the sensationalism and the pocketbook of that man. That said, I’m sure once her name was announced and that crown was placed on her head, she lived in constant fear. Those photos were bad, at the time, for a Miss America~ forget the fact that she was a history making Miss America … shame it went down the way it did, but her career went zoooooooooooom.

That controversy, in retrospect, was probably the best thing that could've happened to her career. Funny how life works out.

[Jubilee]

It's always sad to hear of someone's passing...

This is one of the stupidest fucking things I've ever read. You don't wanna hear Bin Laden was gang-raped by camels, set afire and thrown off a cliff? Or simply killed by a drone. That would make you "sad?"

Now that would be sad. I'm sure when OBL sent his boy out for a pack of Camels, this is NOT what he had in mind...

[Saint John]

It's always sad to hear of someone's passing...

This is one of the stupidest fucking things I've ever read. You don't wanna hear Bin Laden was gang-raped by camels, set afire and thrown off a cliff? Or simply killed by a drone. That would make you "sad?"

Now that would be sad. I'm sure when OBL sent his boy out for a pack of Camels, this is NOT what he had in mind...

[YoungJRNY]

Playboy never had lesbian action. I have never seen lesbo action in Playboy, even up to today. I vividly recall Penthouse being my favourite because it had girl on girl scenes. You can't beat that shit.

Good on Playboy for not showing pictures of that disgusting faggoty shit. That's gross, man.

Lesbians don't do shit for me either. Part of the appeal of porn to me is the "vicarious" appeal when you see a chick bangin a dude - you can put yourself in the scene with the girl or even just analogize it to your own sexual experiences (ok, hopefully you aren't dating or fucking a slut that allows you to do 75% of what the dudes in porn do to chicks), but you get my point. A broad munching another's rug or slamming a chick with a giant strap-on just isn't sex or sexy to me.

^ Once again, nicely said. I feel the same way. I've tried to get a groove on with Chick/Chick action but I end up clicking off and end up making myself a sandwich or something. Good point on "putting yourself in the P.O.V situation." I remember Bill Burr saying that too in one of his comedy skits. When I watch porn, I don't look at the guys fuckin' cock or anything or admire the size of his sausage. We as testosterone, horny and sex drivin sons of bitches just put ourselves into that situation, nothing more nothing less. When I see a chick with a strap on and sucking off a dildo, it actually ruins it for me, and I go make a 2nd sandwich.

[Jubilee]

That was my one and only Penthouse purchase ….course, later I hated that I contributed to the sensationalism and the pocketbook of that man. That said, I’m sure once her name was announced and that crown was placed on her head, she lived in constant fear. Those photos were bad, at the time, for a Miss America~ forget the fact that she was a history making Miss America … shame it went down the way it did, but her career went zoooooooooooom.

That controversy, in retrospect, was probably the best thing that could've happened to her career. Funny how life works out.

I think it was quite the opposite, actually. Immediately following the controversy, Vanessa Williams pretty much went away. She never tried to trade on it, or capitalize on the controversy in any way, IIRC. When she finally did return/make a come back, she still had to overcome all of the snickering, and really struggle to be taken seriously. Fortunately, in addition to being very attractive, she's also a talented singer & actress. I'd say she has had a successful career in spite of the whole "Vanessa the Undressa" controversy, not because of it.

Who could forget:

Save the Best for Last:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EdmHSTwmWY


and

Dreamin'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boP3wvcY05Q[/u]

[Michigan Girl]

That was my one and only Penthouse purchase ….course, later I hated that I contributed to the sensationalism and the pocketbook of that man. That said, I’m sure once her name was announced and that crown was placed on her head, she lived in constant fear. Those photos were bad, at the time, for a Miss America~ forget the fact that she was a history making Miss America … shame it went down the way it did, but her career went zoooooooooooom.

That controversy, in retrospect, was probably the best thing that could've happened to her career. Funny how life works out.

I think it was quite the opposite, actually. Immediately following the controversy, Vanessa Williams pretty much went away. She never tried to trade on it, or capitalize on the controversy in any way, IIRC. When she finally did return/make a come back, she still had to overcome all of the snickering, and really struggle to be taken seriously. Fortunately, in addition to being very attractive, she's also a talented singer & actress. I'd say she has had a successful career in spite of the whole "Vanessa the Undressa" controversy, not because of it.

Who could forget:

Save the Best for Last:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EdmHSTwmWY


and

Dreamin'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boP3wvcY05Q[/u]

Williams is quoted as saying "the best revenge is success."

[bluejeangirl76]

Lesbians don't do shit for me either. Part of the appeal of porn to me is the "vicarious" appeal when you see a chick bangin a dude - you can put yourself in the scene with the girl or even just analogize it to your own sexual experiences (ok, hopefully you aren't dating or fucking a slut that allows you to do 75% of what the dudes in porn do to chicks), but you get my point. A broad munching another's rug or slamming a chick with a giant strap-on just isn't sex or sexy to me.

^ Once again, nicely said. I feel the same way. I've tried to get a groove on with Chick/Chick action but I end up clicking off and end up making myself a sandwich or something. Good point on "putting yourself in the P.O.V situation." I remember Bill Burr saying that too in one of his comedy skits. When I watch porn, I don't look at the guys fuckin' cock or anything or admire the size of his sausage. We as testosterone, horny and sex drivin sons of bitches just put ourselves into that situation, nothing more nothing less. When I see a chick with a strap on and sucking off a dildo, it actually ruins it for me, and I go make a 2nd sandwich.

I'm glad you two have chimed in with the guy POV on chick/chick porn. Because I never understood the (perceived) notion that guys actually dig that stuff. I mean, a chick sucking on a toy? Wtf? That's just dumb and I could never figure out what the sexual appeal of that was supposed to be.

[Rockindeano]

Lesbians don't do shit for me either. Part of the appeal of porn to me is the "vicarious" appeal when you see a chick bangin a dude - you can put yourself in the scene with the girl or even just analogize it to your own sexual experiences (ok, hopefully you aren't dating or fucking a slut that allows you to do 75% of what the dudes in porn do to chicks), but you get my point. A broad munching another's rug or slamming a chick with a giant strap-on just isn't sex or sexy to me.

^ Once again, nicely said. I feel the same way. I've tried to get a groove on with Chick/Chick action but I end up clicking off and end up making myself a sandwich or something. Good point on "putting yourself in the P.O.V situation." I remember Bill Burr saying that too in one of his comedy skits. When I watch porn, I don't look at the guys fuckin' cock or anything or admire the size of his sausage. We as testosterone, horny and sex drivin sons of bitches just put ourselves into that situation, nothing more nothing less. When I see a chick with a strap on and sucking off a dildo, it actually ruins it for me, and I go make a 2nd sandwich.

I'm glad you two have chimed in with the guy POV on chick/chick porn. Because I never understood the (perceived) notion that guys actually dig that stuff. I mean, a chick sucking on a toy? Wtf? That's just dumb and I could never figure out what the sexual appeal of that was supposed to be.

It's not the strap on suck off that turns me on with F/F. I dig the passionate front to front action....Just picture yourself in between a nice soft pair of tits, and smooth bellies and long smooth legs wrapped around you. Goddamned if that isn't getting me horned up right now. THAT'S what I get into it for...Then have the girls 69? Oh man, that takes the cake..

[verslibre]

Girl-on-girl is cool, just not all the time. A three-way (2 girls & 1 guy) is better. And yeah, a girl sucking off a dildo is the biggest "whuddevah" ever. Creampie all the way!