Dennis Hof
Encyclopedia
Dennis Hof is an American
pimp
, entrepreneur, and restaurateur. He is best known as the former, owning two brothel
s in Nevada
. 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
.
. In contrast to other Nevada brothel owners, members of the Nevada Brothel Owners' Association, who prefer to keep a low profile, Hof, despite Nevada laws which ban brothel advertising, maintains a high profile to create publicity for his brothels.
He also operates a website 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
. He has also given free offers to returning soldiers.
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.
However, the Nevada
lawmakers had refused to consider the proposal of statewide legal prostitution during that legislative session.
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 television
such as camera-only interviews and staged "spontaneity".
, 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
on Hannity and Colmes. Hof and the Bunny Ranch were profiled in The New Yorker magazine's 23 April 2001 issue.
Hof was interviewed on FOX News in December 2007 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pimp
Pimp
A pimp is an agent for prostitutes who collects part of their earnings. The pimp may receive this money in return for advertising services, physical protection, or for providing a location where she may engage clients...
, entrepreneur, and restaurateur. He is best known as the former, owning two brothel
Brothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
s in Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. His brothels are in Moundhouse, Nevada
Moundhouse, Nevada
Mound House, Nevada is a small unincorporated community in Lyon County, Nevada on U.S. Route 50 that is situated between Nevada's capital, Carson City, and Dayton, Nevada. Its elevation is 4,974 feet...
, a few minutes outside Carson City, less than an hour by car from Reno, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
. He also owns a nightclub restaurant, NV50, across the street from the Moonlite Bunny Ranch
Moonlite Bunny Ranch
The Moonlite BunnyRanch is a legal, licensed brothel in Mound House, Nevada, United States, east of Carson City. The ranch is owned and operated by Dennis Hof...
.
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
Sunset Thomas
Sunset Thomas is the stage name of an American pornographic actress; her real first name is Diane. She was runner-up for Penthouse Pet of the Year in 1998 and is a member of the Adult Video News Hall of Fame.- Personal life :...
.
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 TwoBunnyRanch Two
The Love Ranch is a legal, licensed brothel located about 7 miles east of Carson City, Nevada in the unincorporated town of Mound House, in Lyon County, at 95 Kit Kat Drive....
. In contrast to other Nevada brothel owners, members of the Nevada Brothel Owners' Association, who prefer to keep a low profile, Hof, despite Nevada laws which ban brothel advertising, maintains a high profile to create publicity for his brothels.
He also operates a website 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
Porn Stars
Porn Stars is the second studio album by the band Pretty Boy Floyd. It features re-recordings of five tracks from their debut album Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz, a re-recording of one track from Tonight Belongs To The Young, and a re-recording of one track from their EP A Tale of Sex, Designer...
, e.g., Sunset Thomas
Sunset Thomas
Sunset Thomas is the stage name of an American pornographic actress; her real first name is Diane. She was runner-up for Penthouse Pet of the Year in 1998 and is a member of the Adult Video News Hall of Fame.- Personal life :...
. He has also given free offers to returning soldiers.
In early 2009, due to the recession
Late 2000s recession
The late-2000s recession, sometimes referred to as the Great Recession or Lesser Depression or Long Recession, is a severe ongoing global economic problem that began in December 2007 and took a particularly sharp downward turn in September 2008. The Great Recession has affected the entire world...
, State Sen. Bob Coffin
Bob Coffin
Bob Coffin is a Las Vegas city councilman, representing the city's east side in Ward 3. He was previously a Democratic member of the Nevada Senate, representing Clark County District 10 from 1987-2011. Previously he was a member of the Nevada Assembly from 1983 through 1985. Mr...
(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
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
given the opportunity, and was already eying some closed casinos as property.
However, the Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
lawmakers had refused to consider the proposal of statewide legal prostitution during that legislative session.
Cathouse series
The biggest boost, arguably, to the Moonlite Bunny Ranches' profile and Hof's, was the HBO documentary special Cathouse. Two documentary series followed. In 2005 Cathouse: The Series premiered. Cathouse 2: Back in the Saddle 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 television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
such as camera-only interviews and staged "spontaneity".
Media persona
Dennis Hof has appeared on The Johnny Dare Morning Show, The Todd and Tyler Radio Empire, "Lex and Terry", "Rod Ryan Show" (94.5, The Buzz), American PimpAmerican Pimp
American Pimp is a 1999 documentary that examines the pimp subculture in the United States. It was directed by the Hughes Brothers, the filmmakers behind Menace II Society and Dead Presidents....
, The Tyra Banks Show
The Tyra Banks Show
The Tyra Banks Show, also known as and shortened to Tyra or The Tyra Show, is an American talk show hosted by Tyra Banks. The last new episode aired on Friday, May 28, 2010.-2005-2009: Syndication:...
, Lex and Terry
Lex and Terry
Lex and Terry is a syndicated morning radio hosted by Lex Staley and Terry Jaymes. Currently based in Dallas, Texas, the show is distributed by United Stations Radio Networks. It is heard during weekday mornings on 30 radio stations in the U.S. and on XM 165....
, the Opie and Anthony Show, The Howard Stern Show, The Bubba The Love Sponge
Bubba the Love Sponge
Todd Alan Clem is an American radio personality better known by his Legal name Bubba the Love Sponge Clem. He is the host of The Bubba the Love Sponge Show on various Cox Radio and Beasley Broadcast Group stations, formerly on Sirius XM Howard 101, as well as on RadioIO.-Early career and the...
Show, Loveline with Stryker & Dr. Drew, "Derek and Romaine" and on Dr. Phil
Dr. Phil (TV series)
Dr. Phil is a reality/talk television show hosted by Phil McGraw. After McGraw's success with his segments on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil debuted on September 16, 2002...
, as well as giving a tour/interview to conservative pundit Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity is an American radio and television host, author, and conservative political commentator. He is the host of The Sean Hannity Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks. Hannity also hosts a cable news show, Hannity,...
on Hannity and Colmes. Hof and the Bunny Ranch were profiled in The New Yorker magazine's 23 April 2001 issue.
Hof was interviewed on FOX News in December 2007 for his support for Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
in the Republican caucus in Nevada. "Pimpin' for Paul" was a deal that provided two bunnies for one; campaign donations were collected for Paul.