Hulu’s ‘Pam & Tommy’ explores the tumultuous events surrounding the theft and subsequent release of a private tape owned by the titular couple. As Pamela and Tommy try to contain their private recording, they are repeatedly puzzled as to how far it has already spread. The new internet and the hitherto unseen potential it has for disseminating information also dash the couple’s hopes that the tape will “disappear”.

Tommy and Pamela’s lawsuit against Penthouse magazine apparently elevates the tape from underground novelty to mainstream news. The publication announces that it plans to release stills from the tape. The lawsuit only angers Penthouse chief Bob Guccione, and he becomes even more adamant about releasing the explosive material. Here’s the truth about the real Bob Guccione and who tries him out in “Pam & Tommy.”

Is Bob Guccione dead or alive?

Based on a 2014 Rolling Stone article by Amanda Chicago Lewis, “Pam & Tommy” features a host of interesting characters who have real-life counterparts. Besides central characters like Pamela Anderson, Tommy Lee, and Rand Gauthier, even celebrity versions like Jay Leno and Hugh Hefner play minor roles in the narrative. Likewise, Bob Guccione, the founder of Penthouse magazine, is recreated on the show.

In episode 5, when Pamela and Tommy think that the tape can no longer spread, the latter receives a call informing him that Penthouse magazine has a copy of their private video. While Pamela seems unsure of the publication’s intentions, her furious husband decides to sue them. In fact, the celebrity couple also filed a lawsuit against Penthouse, which ultimately failed.

Guccione founded Penthouse magazine in 1965 in London, apparently with a loan of just over $1,000. According to his New York Times obituary, in the early 1980s he was one of the richest men in America. His publishing house, General Media, was reportedly valued at $300 million at the time. Interestingly, the show positioning Penthouse as a competitor to Hugh Hefner’s Playboy magazine appears to be accurate. According to reports, Penthouse was designed to be a more explicit publication than Playboy, giving the latter a run for its money.

Guccione’s wild success eventually faded and a few bad investments led to a significant drop in his assets. A painter himself, he also had an extensive (and extremely valuable) art collection, which was eventually sold at auction. After undergoing throat surgery a few years prior, the Penthouse founder was reportedly diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and died on October 20, 2010 in Plano, Texas.

Who plays Bob Guccione in Pam & Tommy?

The temperamental and imposing character of Bob Guccione is tried out by Maxwell Caulfield in “Pam & Tommy”. Caulfield is a prolific stage and film actor who made his film debut in 1982 with “Grease 2” and went on to work in a remarkable variety of feature films and theatrical productions. He also starred in the 1995 coming-of-age comedy-drama “Empire Records,” which became a cult hit. Caulfield’s stage credits include several Broadway performances, including a 2007 Broadway production of “Chicago.”

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