Mar
23
RIP: Performer Donny Price
March 23, 2010 | 10 Comments
[Edits 3:45 p.m.; 04/03/10] I’m sorry to report that performer Donny Price has died. He passed on Thursday, March 17 in New York City; the COD has not been revealed as yet. But we confirmed the news independently. Our colleagues at Gorgeous Boys broke the news and provided these photos. Donny Price was 25 years old. He was known primarily for a supporting role in the controversial 2004 blue movie EVERY POOLBOY’S DREAM from Cobra Video and starring Brent Corrigan, who was underage when several of his episodes were filmed (the original cut of the film is no longer commercially available). Through 2005 and ’06, Price appeared in a handful of fetish and amateur titles, among them SHOWGUYS 43 for AMVC and WINNING THE BET for Dark Realm Productions (both as Kyle Young), KYLE’S PISS INITIATION for Golden Boys USA (as Kyle with no surname) and a handful of spanking and condomless titles as Craven Cox for Helix Studios and 8Teen Boy. We’ll update this story with more details when appropriate. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
[Images: Gorgeous Boys Twitpics.]
Feb
22
RIP: Erotica Legend Jamie Gillis
February 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Adult industry publication XBIZ reports that adult industry legend Jamie Gillis has died. The veteran performer passed on Friday, February 19 from cancer. He was 66 years old. Friends Ashley and April Spicer and director Wesley Emerson released a statement that reads, in part: “A wonderful and charismatic man and most treasured friend, he will be greatly missed by his partner Zarela, his family, his many friends and countless fans around the world.” Mr. Gillis will be cremated in a private ceremony. Memorial donations can be made to the NYC Police Athletic League, “an organization that helped Jamie as a boy and continues to assist children in New York City,” XBIZ notes. Mr. Gillis was among the adult industry’s most prolific, and colorful, personalities. He filmed hundreds of blue movies dating back nearly 40 years and shot a variety of mainstream film and television cameos. Straight-biz director Carter Stevens famously said of Mr. Gillis: “There are five kinds of people in porn: heterosexuals, homosexuals, bisexuals, trisexuals — and then there is Jamie Gillis.” Famous for BDSM roles, he also dabbled in gay adult with several early titles such as “Boynapped” (1975), “Los Banditos” (1976) and the late-’70s 3D title “Manhole.” More recently, he appeared in nonsex roles for director Paul Barresi in GOODFELLAS/BADFELLAS (1997, Pacific Sun Entertainment) and THE UNDERBOSS (1998, U.S. Male).
[H/T ATKOL forum members.]
Jan
25
RIP: Active Duty Performer Randy
January 25, 2010 | 9 Comments
Obits: It is my sad duty to report the recent passing of the singly named Randy, a popular young performer known primarily for his work with ActiveDuty.com. Word quickly spread throughout the weekend after Active Duty director and principal Dink Flamingo made the announcement in the studio’s chatroom. We are still working to confirm a few details but it appears Randy, just 22, died on Tuesday, January 12 from what has been ruled accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. “Randy had a spirit and infectious sense of fun that came [through] in all of his movies,” writes blogger DeWayneInSD. “He will be greatly missed by his fans, friends and the Active Duty family.” Randy also performed as “Ricky Hawke” in roughly a dozen 2007-08 blue movies for Miami Studios. He is among the cast of the recently released BRENT CORRIGAN’S WORKING HARD. “With a mouth full of metal, Randy was easily one of the most adorable models,” Mr. Corrigan told my colleagues at Unzipped.net. “Braces or not, he never stopped beaming! Like the very glint of silver flashing at you every time he pursed his lips to smile, Randy’s happiness, friendliness and unequivocal acceptance of everyone around him made him absolutely unique in our often overtly judgmental world. When we say that everyone loved him and relished being in his company, we really do mean everyone. Randy was more than just a paramour to us. His zeal and vibrancy simply just emanated from him indiscriminately.” Our sincere condolences to his family. friends and fans. CLICK HERE for a touching tribute posted to YouTube.
[Image © Active Duty.]
Jan
25
RIP: Performer Eddie Black
January 25, 2010 | 4 Comments
Obits: I’m sorry to report the passing of British model Eddie Black, a relative newcomer who filmed for web studio StraightHell.net and was known Stateside for his work with Treasure Island Media (TIM). The U.K.-based director Liam Cole informed TIM’s Max Sohl, who contacted me with the news, noting “Eddie was most definitely a TIM fan-favorite.” Mr. Black, 29, apparently died last July 28, 2009. Few other details have been confirmed as yet. “(H)e was really a pleasure to shoot with,” Mr. Cole wrote on his blog. “His family have chosen not to give out details about his death, but the last time we spoke he sounded cheerful and well and I’m hoping that’s how he spent the rest of his last summer.” His first adult film was also Mr. Cole’s first as director. “We were both excited by the adventure. On his first shoot I paid him with a cheque in an envelope with his ‘porn name’ written neatly on the outside. He told me afterwards that he’d held onto the scrappy envelope as a keepsake of his first step in a new chapter… I love the idea of Eddie keeping that envelope and it’s certainly true that he got a real kick out of making the videos and being seen by others in his prime, doing something he loved.” Eddie Black anchored BAD INFLUENCE (2008) and POUNDED (2009) for TIM. Our condolences to his friends, family and fans.
[Images © Treasure Island Media.]
Jan
25
In Memoriam Stories
January 25, 2010 | Leave a Comment
We’re working on a couple of stories about the recent passing of several gay adult performers. Some fans have been emailing all weekend asking why we haven’t written up a few these stories yet, given they’ve already run elsewhere, and the fact is when it comes to obits I prefer to triple-check certain details before writing anything. It can be time-consuming doing the leg work on these kinds of stories. I’ll have more information shortly.
Dec
30
In Memoriam: Passings, 2009
December 30, 2009 | 3 Comments
In Memoriam: As 2009 finally draws to a close, we take a moment, amidst the year-end revelry and bustle, to memorialize six of our friends and colleagues from the gay adult industry who left us behind this year:
* February 20: Performer Caleb Carter (follow-up story here and another one here).
* March 12: Performer-author Steve Pierce.
* April 7: Performer-director-icon Jack Wrangler (See also: “Industry Pays Tribute to Jack Wrangler“).
* Mid-October: Performer Daxx Reed.
* Mid-December: Performer Dustin Michaels.
* Mid-December: Performer Todd Welch.
( * In Memoriam: Passings, 2008.)
Dec
14
RIP: Performer Todd Welch
December 14, 2009 | 11 Comments
[Edits: 11:40 a.m.] We have more sad news to report this morning. Performer Todd Welch has died following a battle with “an aggressive and rare form of lymphoma,” said FabScout Entertainment‘s Howard Andrew, who informed the adult industry of the news over the weekend. Mr. Welch filmed for several web studios and had shot roughly half a dozen DVDs since 2007: ENDLESS CRUSH for Falcon Studios, TOP DAWGS for FPG Entertainment, and several titles for Lucas Entertainment, including WELCOME TO PARADISE and FEET!, released earlier this year. In late August, FabScout, Rentboy.com, Coconut Grove Guesthouse and a number of Mr. Welch’s industry colleagues and costars organized a fundraiser to help pay for his medical bills and expenses. “He was so thankful for all the outpouring of support and optimistic as he looked toward the future,” notes FabScout’s Gio Caruso in the comments section below. We’ll have more information soon. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans.
[Image © Falcon Studios.]
Dec
14
RIP: Performer Dustin Michaels
December 14, 2009 | 11 Comments
[Edits: 11:30 a.m.] It is my sad duty this morning to report the passing of performer Dustin Michaels. The Florida-based 23-year-old, whose real name was Andrew Grande, filmed for a variety of web studios including BoundGods and NakedKombat as well as BrokeStraightBoys, CircleJerkBoys and OnTheHunt. According to a local media report, Mr. Grande died Friday morning after choking on a bag of marijuana he swallowed as Bay County, Florida sheriff’s deputies attempted to subdue him for arrest. A reality-television camera crew happened to be shadowing the deputies, and filmed an increasingly distressed Grande as he struggled with officers, one of whom tasered him. Eventually they recognized him to be choking and unsuccessfully performed the Heimlich maneuver. He was unconscious when paramedics arrived and transported him to a local hospital, where Grande was pronounced dead. Pieces of the reality crew’s disturbing footage appeared in at least one local media report; I deeply regret watching it. Three of the deputies involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by the Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans. UPDATE: This story, and its attendant controversy, has been picked up by the gay blogosphere; few additional details have emerged. Fair warning: Several sites are also running the troubling video depicting Mr. Grande’s final moments.
Joe.My.God: “Gay Porn Actor Dies After After Tasering During Arrest”
Queerty: “Amateur Porn Star Andrew Grande Dead After Police Tasering”
Towleroad: “Gay Porn Actor Dustin Michaels Dies After Police Taser Drug Arrest“
[Source: WJHG.com; Dustin Michaels, Sister Roma @ OnTheHunt; H/T GayPornBlog.]
Dec
1
World AIDS Day: In Remembrance
December 1, 2009 | 10 Comments
Today is World AIDS Day. We’ve suspended blogging this morning in remembrance of the male performers and other adult-biz members we’ve lost to AIDS and related causes over the past quarter-century. Please take a moment and click over to the World AIDS Day website and do what you can to stay informed and aware. We do realize that IN THIS ECONOMY (H/T Michael K.) everyone is pinching pennies, but if your budget allows the expenditure, please consider dropping a few coins to such organizations as AIM Healthcare. You’d be helping the adult biz in a tangible way. Otherwise, make a donation to an HIV/AIDS organization in your neck of the woods. After the jump, a roll call of the 100 or so friends, performers, coworkers and others we’ve lost to this disease. CLICK HERE for their names…
Oct
23
RIP: Performer Daxx Reed
October 23, 2009 | 6 Comments
I’m sorry to report that performer Daxx Reed has died. I’ve been working with my colleagues over at TheSword.com, as well as Raging Stallion Studios, to confirm the specifics. He apparently died on Tuesday; I’ll update here as warranted. The COD has not been confirmed and I don’t care to speculate until we know what happened. Reed, whose birth name was Marco Berry, was known primarily for his intense, energetic work in BDSM, fisting and other fetish films. His blue-movie career stretches back to 2003 and included films for Hot House Entertainment, Mustang Studios and Titan Media. He had recently appeared in FISTPACK 20 for RSS and CRUDE for Dark Alley Media, and had just moved from Los Angeles up to San Francisco. I had the pleasure of working with him back in 2003-04 when he shot for MSR Videos. He was quiet, dependable and saved his energy for when the cameras were rolling. We’ll have more details and a remembrance of Daxx in the coming days. My sympathies to his family, friends and fans.
[Image © Raging Stallion.]
Jun
11
Remembering Johnny Rahm (1965-2004)
June 11, 2009 | 4 Comments
Today would have been performer Johnny Rahm‘s 44th birthday. Ah, what a fantastic performer and a genuinely gifted actor. I was a bit of a starstruck fanboy — he was one of the few porn studs who affected me this way — and had the chance to interview him around 2000 or 2001; to my delight, we became friendly. However, we didn’t speak often and I’m still angry at myself that I didn’t make more of an effort to stay in touch. Johnny took his own life in 2004 and I think of him often. Another fan of his, Brad Walton, decided to memorialize him in an unusual way by writing an epic poem based on Johnny’s life. Mr. Walton interviewed me and utilized some of what I knew about Johnny in the poem. We first ran it back in November 2007, near the anniversary of his death, but I decided to instead remember my friend on his birthday. I’ve said it before, and I still mean it: Johnny, I pray you found the peace and serenity in the afterlife that so cruelly eluded you in this one. Happy birthday. I miss you. CLICK HERE to read the poem, titled “Johnny Rahm at Heaven’s Gate.”
See also:
* “Remembering Johnny Rahm“
Apr
13
Erotica Legend Marilyn Chambers Dies
April 13, 2009 | 3 Comments
Breaking news this morning: Erotica legend Marilyn Chambers has died. This follows last week’s passing of fellow porn icon Jack Wrangler. Details are sketchy right now, but Ms. Chambers’ body was apparently found over the weekend by her daughter; a cause of death has not yet been determined. She would have been 57 years old on April 22. Although not specifically related to gay adult — a former Ivory Snow spokesmodel, she was the star of 1972′s BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR, whose popularity turned the mainstream on its ear, and 1980′s INSATIABLE, among others — Marilyn Chambers’ legend transcends genre. Like Mr. Wrangler, she was unashamed of her adult past and embraced her status as a notorious pop culture icon. [XBIZ.]
Apr
12
RIP: Performer Steve Pierce
April 12, 2009 | 17 Comments
It is my sad duty to report the death of Steven J. LaPeikis, known to gay adult as performer Steve Pierce. He passed on March 12, 2009 in Palm Springs; no reason has been given. He was 44 years old, and is survived by his partner of two decades, Thomas Miller, whom he married in 2008, as well as his mother, brother, sister and nieces. Pierce was a popular utility player in gay adult with a specialty in bondage and leather. He made approximately 40 films during a career that stretched between 1995 and 2004 and includes such classic titles as FLESH & BLOOD (All Worlds Video, 1996), THE CHOSEN (Falcon Studios, 1997) and JOHNNY HORMONE (HIS Video, 1997). Recently, Pierce achieved a lifelong dream with the publication of “World Without Winter,” his first novel, a science fiction adventure. In a published obituary, Miller writes that Pierce “loved alternative music, eating exotic cuisines and just being in the moment. He took extraordinary care of me, played tricks on me, cooked wonderful meals, and was my absolute best friend. After 20 years together, it was as if we had just met. Our relationship remained fresh, full of optimism and hope for the future.” Our condolences to Miller and to Pierce’s family, as well as his friends and fans. On a personal note, I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Pierce and interviewed him several times over the years. He was proud of his adult past and ebullient over the publication of “World Without Winter.” He will be missed.
XBIZ.com obituary: “Gay Adult Actor Steve Pierce Dies“
[Portrait by Jim Cox.]
Apr
8
Industry Pays Tribute to Jack Wrangler
April 8, 2009 | 1 Comment
[Editor's note: Gay Porn Times has signed a deal to provide LGBT content to industry publication XBIZ.] The adult entertainment industry is paying tribute today to the late Jack Wrangler, who died early Tuesday in New York City. He was 62 years old and had been suffering from complications from lung disease. The prolific performer’s career encompassed gay and straight adult films throughout the 1970s and ’80s. He is survived by his wife, singer Margaret Whiting. Even the notorious gossip and culture vulture Perez Hilton took note of Wrangler’s passing on his well-trafficked blog, and his death was noted in a brief story by the Associated Press today. “He was one of the crossover performers — he crossed back and forth like a sexual trapeze artist. Very comfortable with himself, truly a hero on both sides of the coin. He truly was a legend of erotica,” said William Margold, adult industry historian. “Jack Wrangler was the first straight-for-pay gay porn star, and while you’re figuring that one out, try figuring out his enduring marriage to a legend of American pop music,” writer/comedian Bruce Vilanch told me. “Jack and Margaret didn’t care if you got it or not, they were getting plenty. A smart, warm, anchored guy, he straddled both sides — he straddled almost everything, come to think of it. And a lot of it is on film. Like all pioneers, there’ll never be another one like him.” CLICK HERE for the full story at XBIZ…
Apr
7
Adult Industry Icon Jack Wrangler Dies
April 7, 2009 | 12 Comments
[Editor's note: Gay Porn Times has signed a deal to provide LGBT content to industry publication XBIZ.] Actor, producer and adult industry legend Jack Wrangler died today in New York City. He had been suffering from complications from lung disease. Wrangler enjoyed a prolific career encompassing scores of gay and straight adult films throughout the 1970s and ’80s, and his life and career was the subject of the 2008 documentary “Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon.” He was 62 years old. Wrangler is survived by his wife, cabaret chanteuse Margaret Whiting. Their surprise marriage in 1994 reignited Wrangler’s tabloid notoriety, but the partnership endured. “The world just lost a gay hero,” director and Channel 1 Releasing principal Chi Chi LaRue told me. CLICK HERE for the full story at XBIZ…
Mar
12
Talking Through the Radio
March 12, 2009 | 7 Comments
So there I was, blearily stumbling into the basement restaurant of my hotel in Bratislava, Slovakia. Painfully early in the morning. I’m about to go watch new Bel Ami pups have sex for the first time in front of the cameras. Although never a morning person, I can’t muster any enthusiasm. As the waiter pours my coffee and I begin to munch on a danish, a wave of sadness washes over me. I can’t stop thinking about Caleb Carter, his final moments, whether I could have said something in our final conversation, just days before he took his own life, that might have made a difference. I feel myself beginning to waver, my eyes fill, a spasm of physical pain shudders through me. The waiter unexpectedly lays a hand on my shoulder and offers a sympathetic smile. I take a deep breath, return to my scrambled eggs and decide to be grateful for small blessings. But still, the grief settles around me like a heavy fog. All the while, over the intercom, a dreary Slovakian Euro-pop song had been playing interminably. It suddenly stops. Silence drops in for a few moments. And then, another song begins, in the middle — “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” by Wham! and it is completely incongruous. The waiter frowns and disappears behind the scenes. I am alone in the restaurant as the bouncy, happy song fills the space. And, boy, do the tears flow. But I’m also smiling, I can’t help it. Because I remember being on the set of some movie, years ago, as this song played on a radio nearby. Caleb was there and performed an impromptu dance to it, snapping his fingers in my face, both of us laughing as he somehow lent the poppy lyrics a bitchy edge, as only he could do. I could imagine him now, back in the kitchen somewhere, standing over the radio controls and arguing with a dour Slovakian cook, saying, “No, no, trust me! He’ll get it. He’ll understand.”
See also:
* “Caleb Carter Memorial Tomorrow”
* “RIP: Caleb Carter“
Feb
24
Caleb Carter Memorial Tomorrow
February 24, 2009 | 9 Comments
Jason Sechrest has a few details about a memorial service for the late Caleb Carter. Last night, his friend and fellow porn actor Brent Summers, along with Caleb’s mother, held a celebratory wake Monday night at the Brass Rail in San Diego. There will be a memorial service and cremation burial tomorrow afternoon. Per Mr. Sechrest, Caleb’s death was ruled an intentional suicide. He left no note, although he apparently made an unsuccessful attempt earlier this month. A manic depressive, he had been weaning himself off Paxil and dealing with an addiction to alcohol (most of this I already knew, as he’d spoken about it at some length). He had apparently been drinking when he made the decision to end things. I don’t have anything to add, only that I hate that the last thing most fans will know of Caleb Carter was one terrible, final moment in his otherwise extravagant, colorful life. Well, there’s at least something I can do: I can tell you stories about him, and I will, soon. One other note: I’ve been getting emails from concerned Constant Readers about various shit-talkers on other sites who are criticizing Caleb for his many bad decisions; some of them are taking advantage of the grief of his friends to further their own agenda. Look, Caleb was deeply flawed, and often impossible. I knew that, and so did everyone who loved him, and we didn’t care because he was worth the occasional trouble. He was also a public figure and willingly exposed himself to the ridicule of the hoi polloi. So, really, I don’t give a flying fuck about the shit-talkers and ambulance chasers; some people simply have no compassion, no sense of propriety, no attachment to anything beyond the end of their own nose, and there is nothing to be done about it. As comedian Lewis Black says, “The good die young; assholes live forever.”
[Image © TheCoverCode.]
Feb
22
RIP: Caleb Carter
February 22, 2009 | 13 Comments
I hope to God this isn’t true, that it’s just some horrible mistake or misunderstanding. I’ve been away from my desk and email all day and only now has word reached me that my friend Caleb Carter has died, apparently by his own hand on Friday. I’ve called and emailed a dozen different people and, naturally, when you want someone to be available they are not. I hope this isn’t true, but the story is already posted to other sites. Caleb only emailed me a few days ago. He sent me a picture of his new tattoo — “Daddy’s Lil Girl.” That should tell you everything you need to know about this sweet, outrageously funny, deeply sensitive young man. He could make me laugh so hard my intestines would convulse. He was artistic, idealistic, reckless, moody, creative. I directed him in two movies and we became great girlfriends almost immediately. Chi Chi LaRue gave me some painful advice many years ago: “You can’t adopt them all.” I know what she meant. But Caleb Carter, I adopted. I checked up on him regularly. We stayed in contact. He sent me a picture of his new tattoo only a few days ago. We talked about cute boys and porn and making a living. I’ve known a lot of porn actors who have left us, far too many. Caleb was — is — my friend. I loved him. I cannot believe I’m writing about him in the past tense. I hope to God this is wrong.
Dec
31
In Memoriam: Passings, 2008
December 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
* April 23, 2008: Jean-Daniel Cadinot, director, photographer, legend. Late August brought news of the Maestro’s final two films.
* May 1, 2008: Mark West, retired performer.
* July 7, 2008: Lamar (real name: Eric Lamar Turner), CocoDorm performer.
* Late July: Cole Ryder, performer.
* In July, we received word that performer Dante Franklin had died, but have not been able to verify any information about how or when it happened.
* October 10, 2008: Franco Santoro, performer.
* Plus, in late June and July, performer Kent North was memorialized by friends and loved ones on the one-year anniversary of his death. [Image © Channel 1 Releasing.]
Oct
11
RIP: Performer Franco Santoro
October 11, 2008 | 2 Comments
Folks, as you may have seen yesterday afternoon in our comments section, a friend of Franco Santoro posted a note saying the performer passed away Friday morning at his home in Seville, Spain. I’ve spoken to the friend privately, but we’re still looking to confirm some details. A few fans have already emailed us for more information, but there’s nothing to tell yet, and no obituary has yet appeared online. A funeral was scheduled for this weekend, and as soon as we’re able to independently verify a few things, we’ll run whatever we learn here. But I wanted to get this note up to let you know we’re aware of the news. Mr. Santoro was a Studio 2000 exclusive who appeared in seven or eight films between 2004 and 2006. He was 35 years old.
