Dennis Hof
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, approximately 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]
The Moonlite Bunny Ranch
Hof started by purchasing and remodeling The Moonlite Bunny Ranch, founded in 1955; he also purchased another brothel, formerly Kitty's, and renamed it The Bunny Ranch 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].
Dennis Hof owner of the Bunny Ranch is under investigation for allegedly harboring wanted sex offender Philip Yoder for two years. Yoder is wanted out of oregon for felony rape. He is also a convicted sex offender that never registered in carson city nevada while living and working at Dennis Hofs apartment complex. In the two years he worked at the Bunny Ranch he never registered with Lyon County Sheriffs Department for his Sheriffs card which is mandatory by law to make sure that the people working there are not criminals or wanted. Dennis and Philip Yoder have been friends since Philip owned a publishing company for sex clubs. www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20080918/NEWS/809179946&parentprofile=search
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, etc.
Cathouse series
The biggest boost, arguably, to the Moonlite Bunny Ranches' profile--and Hof's--was the HBO documentary special Cathouse.[5] Two documentary series followed. In 2005 Cathouse: The Series[6] premiered. Cathouse 2: Back in the Saddle[7] 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."
Media persona
In his media appearances, Hof is often invited to appear with anti-prostitution activists, ranging from former prostitutes to representatives of self-proclaimed women's advocacy groups. During the summer of 2005, Hof gave a media interview arguing passionately for the regulation of prostitution nation-wide.[8] He also related how he entered the prostitution business. He was dating a prostitute in Reno when an aging brothel owner offered to sell the business to him.
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[9]on Hannity and Colmes. Hof and the Bunny Ranch were profiled in the The New Yorker magazine's 23 April 2001 issue.[10]
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.
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
- ^ Cathouse (2002) at IMDb
- ^ Cathouse: The Series at IMDb
- ^ Cathouse: Back in the Saddle at IMDb
- ^ Moonlight Bunny Ranch boss reveals tricks of trade The Badger Herald, 20 January 2006
- ^ Hannity Interview link
- ^ Letter from Nevada - American Pimp - How to Make an Honest Living From the Oldest Profession. The New Yorker, 23 April 2001
Hof is diabetic. He has two kids who he says he disowned a long time ago.