Crystal Harris Urges Jessica Biel to Reconsider Playboy Film Role

Crystal Harris, the widow of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, has publicly urged Jessica Biel to reconsider portraying a fictional version of his wife in Playmates, an upcoming film directed by Lorraine Nicholson. In an Instagram post published October 8, Harris cited her experiences during her marriage to Hefner and warned against presenting their relationship or the Playboy world nostalgically.

Harris was married to Hefner for four years before his death in 2017 at age 91. According to E! News, she shared a private message sent to Biel in which she described allegations of abuse and called on the filmmakers to consider the experiences of women associated with Playboy.

In the message, Harris directly appealed to the actress to reconsider the role if the production intends to romanticize Hefner or his business empire.

"Please reconsider playing Hugh Hefner’s ‘wife’ if this film intends to romanticize him or the Playboy world. I was actually his wife, and I experienced sexual, emotional, financial and physical abuse in that relationship." Harris wrote to Biel.

Harris also highlighted the experiences of other former Playmates who have spoken publicly about distressing experiences connected to the organization. She urged the production team to hear their accounts before shaping a nostalgic portrayal of the Playboy era.

"I hope everyone involved in this film takes the time to listen to the women who lived it," Harris added, "before helping Hollywood turn it back into nostalgia."

E! News reported that it contacted Biel's representative for comment but had not received a response. The Hollywood Reporter also identified Biel as the actress set to portray a fictionalized version of Hefner's wife in Nicholson's directorial debut.

Harris has previously discussed the difficulties she says she experienced during her marriage. In a 2024 interview with E! News, she described the relationship as emotionally abusive and restrictive, explaining that her time at the mansion affected her sense of identity and independence.

"When I was at the mansion, I didn't know who I was," Harris told E! News in 2024. "When you don't know who you are, that could be dictated to you by somebody else and if that's given to you by someone else, it could also be taken away. So, it's very important for you to have your own power."

Harris acknowledged that she cared for Hefner but distinguished that affection from being in love with him. She also described the difficulties she associated with his expectations and relationships.

"It's hard to be in love with someone who wants multiple people in the bedroom," Harris said, "and really only cares about themselves and their own needs and wants."

Harris has since married businessman James Ward. Hefner had two earlier marriages before his relationship with Harris, according to E! News.

He married Mildred Williams in 1949, and they divorced in 1959. They had two children, daughter Christie Hefner, 73, and son David Hefner, 71.

Hefner later married Kimberley Conrad in 1989. They separated 10 years later and had two sons, Marston Hefner, 36, and Cooper Hefner, 35.