HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Hugh Hefner just pulled more than a rabbit out of his hat.
The Playboy founder has donated the final $900,000 needed to preserve the landmark Hollywood sign, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told the Associated Press on Monday.
The famous sign was in jeopardy of falling into the hands of developers until a $12.5 million fundraising drive was initiated to protect the 138 acres surrounding the landmark. The Trust for Public Land conservation group raised $6.7 million in private funds, the state raised $3.1 million and local funds provided $2.7 million.
"My childhood dreams and fantasies came from the movies, and the images created in Hollywood had a major influence on my life and Playboy," Hefner told AP.
Schwarzenegger said saving the sign was "the Hollywood ending we hoped for."
"It's a symbol of dreams and opportunity," he said of the sign. "The Hollywood sign will welcome dreamers, artists and Austrian bodybuilders for generations to come."
Other Hollywood stars who contributed to the cause included Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.
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