Nevada brothel owner Dennis Hof dies at 72

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Nevada brothel owner, TV show star, and candidate for the state legislature, Dennis Hof, has died, according to his campaign manager.

Chuck Muth announced the death Tuesday morning. He says he passed away at his Love Ranch South brothel. Nye County officials haven’t confirmed his passing yet.

He was known nationwide for his role in the HBO series “Cathouse,” which documented the lives of the workers in his half-a-dozen Nevada brothels.

His brothel empire started with his purchase of the Moonlite Bunny Ranch in 1992. He was well-known for his proposing that the brothels be taxed by the state. Nye County officials had recently closed the Love Ranch South brothel which was reopened after a win in court.

Hof was recently ran a successful campaign in the primary election for Assembly District 36. He was facing Democrat Lisa Romanov in the November general election.

He was 72-years-old.