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Jack Wrangler (born 1946)
In 1976, he claimed that his first gay experience was a "gang-bang" at thirteen by "the entire swim team" at his prep school, a story he later recanted. He did admit to being date-raped by his history professor at Northwestern University, saying he threw out the bed sheets afterwards. Following college, John Stillman had some early work on the stage and as a model and dancer, as well as bit parts on television shows like The Mod Squad and Medical Center. Finally, he appeared in a male strip show in the mid-70s under the name "Jack Wrangler." A career in gay porn films soon followed, and he rapidly became one of the first performers in gay porn to achieve star status and a cult following. Among the over 85 films Jack Wrangler made were Boots and Saddles, Gemini, Heavy Equipment, Junior Cadets, A Married Man Who Had Them All, Eyes of a Stranger, Kansas City Trucking Co, Navy Blue (with George Payne), A Night at the Adonis (aka A Night at the Baths), Wanted (with Al Parker), and, fittingly, Broadway Boys. He also continued peforming in theater, including the play T-Shirts by Robert Patrick. Wrangler claimed to have performed in Forever After, by Doric Wilson , though Doric pointed out this was not so. Jack also claimed that Doric's play A Perfect Relationship was written with him in mind, to which Doric replied, " I never even jacked off with him in mind." In the early 80s, Jack Wrangler began appearing in straight porn films, most notably Devil in Miss Jones II and Debbie Does Dallas 2. Allegedly his first sexual encounter with a woman was on screen. His autobiography, The Jack Wrangler Story, or What's a Nice Boy Like You Doing?, was released in 1984. In 1976 Jack met 1940s pop singer and film actress Margaret Whiting when she attended one of his one-man erotic shows in New York, and a relationship developed which became marriage in 1979. Jack was 33; Margaret was 55. When Jack confided to Margaret that he was gay, Margaret's response was "only around the edges, dear." Soon after marrying Margaret, Jack retired from porn and devoted his time to his first love, musical theater. A fan of Johnny Mercer, Jack was one of the co-producers of the cabaret Dream, which featured songs by the composer and included Margaret in the cast. Other performances he has written and produced include Midnight inthe Garden of Good and Evil: the Jazz Concert; The Valentine Touch;The First Lady and Other Stories of OurTimes; and Irina Abroad! In 1998, Jack and his wife filed a mutli-million dollar suit against the city of New York when Margaret broke her hip after tripping over loose pavement. The media quickly pounced on the fact that their suit cited loss of sexual relations as one of the damages incurred from the accident. Both Jack and Margaret still remain visible in the New York theatrical scene and are highly active in supporting and promoting AIDS charities. But Jack Wrangler's main claim to fame remains his years as a gay porn star, not only because he set the stage for other masculine, rugged, and athletic performers that followed, but also because many gay men in the 70s and 80s cited Jack as an integral part of their coming out process, as his against-the-stereotypes onscreen persona helped to show them that a man can be gay and still be a man. Note: The Outcyclopedia wishes to thank Doric Wilson for his assistance with this article. Jack Wrangler's film credits include New York Construction Co. (1970); Junior Cadets (1970, re-realeased as JR. Cadets (1981); Eyes Of A Stranger (a.k.a. Eyes Of A Gay Stranger, 1970); High Riders (1974); Navy Blue (1975); Kansas City Trucking Co. (1976); Sex Magic (1977); Dynamite (1978); Surf & Turf (1978); Jocks (a.k.a. Jack Wrangler Jocks, 1979); Gemini (1979); Killing Me Gently (1979, re-released as Killing Me Softly,1982 ); Misbehavin' (1979); Summer in Heat (1979); Wanted (1980); Sea Cadets (1980); Mustard Hanky Right: 8 Or More (1980); Heavy Equipment (1980); Boots & Saddles (1980); Jack 'n Jill (1980); Bon Appetit (1980); The Filthy Rich (1980); Palace Of Pleasures (1981); Hunk (1981); Blue Magic (1981); C.O.D. (1981); Debbie Does Dallas 2 (1981); Games Women Play (1981); Roommates (1981); Boots & Saddles(1982); Broadway Boys(1982); The Devil in Miss Jones II (1982); Dirty Looks (1982); Olive Drab Hanky Left: Uniforms (1983); A Night At The Adonis (1983); Master Bates (1983); A Married Man (a.k.a. A Married Man Who Had Them All, 1983); Hot House (1983); The Boys From Riverside Drive (1983); In Love (a.k.a. Strangers in Love,1983); Jack 'n Jill 2 (1984); The Voyeur (1984); Orange Hanky Left (1985); Navy Blue Hanky Left (1985); and Guess Who's Coming? (1990). Links: Internet Movie Database: Jack Wrangler Picture of Jack Wrangler with wife Margaret Whiting and Charles Pierce People Magazine Profile of Jack and Margaret at GayLib.com Dream Cast, Credits, and Program
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