Dennis Hof, Nevada Brothel Owner and Star of 'Cathouse' Series, Found Dead at 72

Dennis Hof, a reality star, pimp and political candidate, has been found dead at one of his Nevada brothels, authorities said. He was 72.

The star of HBO's "Cathouse," a reality series set at Hof's Moonlight Bunny Ranch, was a GOP candidate for the state legislature. His name will remain on the November ballot, officials said.  

Nye County Commissioner John Koenig said Hof "went to sleep and didn't wake up," according to spokesman Arnold Knightly.

An autopsy will be conducted, authorities said. A cause of death was not released.

Campaign manager Chuck Muth announced Hof's death in a Twitter post. "Just arrived on-scene at Love Ranch Vegas. Dennis died quietly in his sleep. Ron Jeremy found him this morning when he went to wake him to go to a meeting in Pahrump. Investigation still going on."

Hof had been celebrating his birthday Monday night with former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and other conservative personalities at the Love Ranch in Crystal, Muth said. 

"We had a wonderful event last night. He was having the time of his life last night," Muth told the Reno Gazette Journal. "Ron Jeremy was there. He was given a rescue dog as a birthday present. He was having the time of his life."

Jeremy, a former porn star, celebrated Hof's birthday with former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss.

Hof's brothel was the site of Lamar Odom's 2015 overdose. The ex-husband of Khloe Kardashian and a former professional basketball player ran up a $79,000 bill during a four-day stay at the brothel, Hof said at the time.

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