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Joey Stefano (1968 - 1994)
Stefano was paired with many of the other "greats" of gay porn, including Jon Vincent, Rod Philips, Lon Flexx (Joey's lover for a time), and Rick Donovan. He gained distinction as the first man to be kissed by the usually aloof Jeff Stryker on screen. One of his most memorable appearances was with Mike Henson in "More of a Man: The Safe Sex Video," a film whose erotic treatment of safe sex practices made gay men not only accept the use of condoms in their porn but also in their own sex lives. His many videos also included "Hard Knocks;" "Hard Steal;" "Idol Eyes" (with Ryan Idol); "Joey;" "The Legend Of Joey Stefano;" "Les Hommes (The Men);" "Man Of The Year" (with Lou Cass); "Masquerade;" "One Man's Poison;" "Plunge" (with Lon Flexx and Rod Philips); "Revenge - More Than I Can Take" (with Jon Vincent); "The River;" "Scent of a Man;" "Sex, Lies And Video Cassettes;" "Songs In The Key Of Sex;" "To the Bone;" and "What Men Do." Joey's fame soon spread outside the industry, and he even appeared in one of the illustrations for Madonna's 1992 book "Sex," as a dancer in a picture of Madonna and Udo Kier set in a gay club. Despite his popularity, Stefano refused offers to dance or escort in Europe, where many believed he could have made a fortune. In the early nineties, Joey began working with Chi Chi LaRue, becoming one of the director's biggest and favorite stars, even living in the director's home for a time. Chi Chi had a cocaine habit at the time, which may have contributed to Stefano's final relapse into drug use. He left porn in 1993, but was unable to make it outside the business, having only a high school education and little job experience. After first turning to prostitution, Stefano returned to porn in 1994, sporting long hair, a more muscular physique, and a new "kinky top man" persona. Unfortunately, his comeback was short-lived, consisting of only a few videos. When he failed to show up for a video shoot, the producer went to Stefano's apartment and found him comatose from an heroin overdose. His dealer had watched him shoot up and did nothing to help him, and left before paramedics arrived. (He remains at large.) Stefano died shortly thereafter. Rumors persisted that Joey had recently learned that he was HIV positive and that the heroin overdose was a suicide, though his HIV status has never been confirmed. (The 1996 biography, "Wonder Bread and Ecstasy," refutes these rumors.) Joey Stefano's death came as a shock to all and sent ripples through the porn industry, with drug use among its performers becoming the focus of media investigations. During a talk-show appearance in 1995, Chi Chi LaRue became the target of a verbal attack by Jeff Stryker, who stood up in the audience and blamed Chi Chi for Stefano's relapse into drug use and eventual death. It was the beginning of the most famous hate feud in gay porn. Joey Stefano continues to command a huge following among fans of gay porn. His biography, Wonder Bread and Ecstasy, was written in 1996. A play about Stefano's life, "Homme Fatale," has also been written and produced, while gay recording artist Michael Holland has written the song, "Joey Stefano's Dead" in tribute to him. His videos continue to sell well and his image is one of the most frequently posted on the Internet. Many, including Christian Fox and Derek Cameron, have followed in his footsteps. But none will replace him. Joey Stefano's credits include "Rock Hard" (1987); "Sex, Lies & Video Cassettes" (1989); "The River" (1989); "Raw Footage" (1989); "Powerful Sex" (a.k.a. "Stryker's Best Powerful Sex," 1989); "Hard Knocks" (1989); "Fond Focus" (1989); "Falconpac 66: Plunge" (1989, re-released as "Plunge," 1990); "Billboard" (1989); "Undergear" (1989); "To The Bone" (1990); "Sweet In The Bootie" (1990); "Say Goodbye" (1990); "Revenge: More Than I Can Take" (1990); "On The Rocks" (1990); "More Of A Man: The Safe Sex Video" (1990); "Idol Eyes" (1990); "Hole In One" (1990); "Hard Steal" (1990); "Hard Moves" (1990); "French Kiss" (1990); "Fidelity" (1990); "Big Bang" (1990); " The Best Of Jon Vincent 1" (1990); "Prince Charming" (1991); "Man Of The Year" (1991); "Inside Vladimir Correa" (1991); "The Visitor" (1992); " Total Impact" (1992); " Threes On Their Knees" (1992); "Songs In The Key Of Sex" (1992); "Sex In Wet Places" (1992); "Scent Of Man (1992); "My Cousin Danny" (1992); "Les Hommes (The Men)" (1992); " Joey" (1992); "Innocence Found" (1992); "Horsemeat" (1992); " The Best Of Joey Stefano" (1992); "The Best Of Adam Grant" (1992); " Tough Competition 2" (1993); "Temptation" (1993); "State Of Mind" (1993); "Solid Intake" (1993); "Privilege" (1993); "Powerthrust" (1993); "Obsessively Compulsive" (1993); "The Legend Of Joey Stefano" (1993); "Hot Chili Peppers" (1993); "Down & Out" (1993); "Bi Golly" (1993); "What A Man's Gotta Do" (1994); "Uncut Club" (1994); "Triple Play" (1994); " Tijuana Toilet Tramps" (1994); "Skin Art Studs" (1994); "Skin" (1994); "One Man's Poison" (1994); "The Best of Joey Stefano 2" (1994); "All About Last Night" (1994); "What Men Do" (1995); "The Unlawful" (1995); "Tommy Boy" (1995); and "Masquerade" (1995). A biography of Joey Stefano, "Wonder Bread and Ecstasy: The Life and Death of Joey Stefano," by Charles Isherwood, is available through our bookstore and is highly recommended. Links:
Joey Stefano Story 3/16 to 4/30 Press Releases: The Joey Stefano Fund rame.net : faq : dead porn stars : joey stefano The rise and fall of a porn star
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