Larry Flynt shifted the American publishing landscape in 1974 by transforming a small club newsletter into Hustler, a national magazine that bypassed conventional standards of decency. His career as an entrepreneur and publisher was defined by aggressive business expansion and frequent litigation, solidifying his role as a prominent figure in the adult entertainment industry until his death in 2021.
Early Career and Bar Ownership
Born in 1942 in Magoffin County, Kentucky, Flynt experienced a transient youth, moving between Kentucky and Indiana. Following military service in the United States Navy as a radar operator on the USS Enterprise, he returned to Ohio in 1965. He purchased a bar in Dayton named the Keewee, which served as the foundation for his business interests. Expanding rapidly, he established a network of Hustler Clubs across Ohio, featuring nude hostess dancers to differentiate his venues.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The Rise of Hustler
Flynt launched the Hustler Newsletter in 1972 to promote his clubs. Facing a recession, he pivoted to a national sexually explicit magazine format in 1974. The publication reached national prominence following the 1975 release of nude photographs of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, which propelled sales to one million copies. This success allowed Flynt to settle significant tax debts and secure his status as a millionaire businessman.
Legal Battles and Physical Trauma
Flynt maintained an active presence in the United States legal system, frequently centering his defense on First Amendment rights during obscenity trials. In 1978, while attending court in Lawrenceville, Georgia, he was shot by serial killer Joseph Paul Franklin. The attack resulted in permanent spinal cord damage, leaving Flynt paralyzed from the waist down and reliant on a wheelchair for the remainder of his life.
Later Industry Influence
His media enterprise, Larry Flynt Publications, expanded to include pornographic videos and three television channels. Throughout his career, Flynt received professional recognition, including the 1999 AVN Special Achievement Award, the 2001 NightMoves Award, and industry honors from XBIZ in 2004 and 2012. His life was the subject of the 1996 biographical film The People vs. Larry Flynt.
Fast facts
- Born: 1942, Magoffin County, Kentucky
- Died: 2021, Los Angeles
- Primary Occupation: Publisher
- Military Service: United States Navy
- Key Publication: Hustler
- Assaulted: 1978, Lawrenceville, Georgia
- Burial Site: Captain Powers Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was the initial purpose of the Hustler publication?
It began in 1972 as a two-page newsletter providing information about Flynt's chain of Hustler Clubs.
How did the 1978 assassination attempt impact his career?
The shooting caused permanent spinal cord damage and paralysis, requiring him to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life while he continued his legal and publishing activities.
Achievements
- Worked as publisher, entrepreneur and autobiographer
