Before he became the world's most recognized publisher, Hef aspired to be a cartoonist. In the service, he drew cartoons for various Army newspapers. Hef even took art classes at the Chicago Art Institute before enrolling at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana where he drew cartoons for the Daily Illini. Following college, Hef tried his hand at cartooning and, failing to sell any of his ideas for a cartoon strip, published a book of satirical cartoons about Chicago titled That Toddlin' Town. Since then, Hef's magazines have provided a forum for some of the greatest contemporary artists, from Andy Warhol to Salvador Dali. Occasionally, some of the world's most distinctive artists, illustrators and cartoonists have immortalized Hef in ink.

HUGH HEFNER has invited British soccer star DAVID BECKHAM to join him and his bunnies at the infamous Playboy mansion in a bid to welcome him to Hollywood. Beckham announced yesterday (11JAN07) he is leaving Spanish club Read Madrid at the end of the current season for a five year contract with California side Los Angeles Galaxy, and Hefner is keen to make him feel at home in America. The 80-year-old says, "I think Hollywood is gonna love him. The girls at the mansion have been talking about it and want to be sure that we put him on the party list. "I think he will do very well here, particularly since soccer has never really caught on in America as it has in the rest of the world, he may make the difference." Beckham's wife VICTORIA has also been asked to do a photoshoot with some of the Playmates. Bunnie girl BRIDGET MARQUARDT, 33, insists she would love former SPICE GIRL Victoria to do a spread with her group in the pages of Playboy. She says, "She should do a pictorial with us. We've got big plans for her. I think she's going to fit in fine - they're both gorgeous."