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Leo Ford (1957 - 1991)
Leo's debut came in the J. Brian film "Flashbacks," in which participants in a contest related their deepest sexual fantasies. Leo's involved an outdoor sex scene with his lover, Jamie Wingo, who also made his porn debut in the film. Leo went on to appear in several gay adult flicks, the most popular and well known being "Blonds Do It Best" and "Leo and Lance." Leo Ford's performances and rapport with Lance made such an impact that one could not think of one without immediately thinking of the other. He also appeared in "Spokes" with Lee Ryder, Dick Fisk, and Rod Philips, and in "Sailor in the Wild," which marked the debut of Rick Donovan. Other movies included "Class Reunion;" "Games" (in which, as a chilling coincidence, he played a motorcycle accident victim); "Life Guard;" "A Night At Alfies;" "Passion By Fire - The Big Switch 2;" "Santa Monica Boulevard;" "Stiff Sentence;" "Style;" and "Summer Of Scott Noll." In some films, including ones with bisexual themes, he appeared as "Lee Culver." Leo also opened his own mail order business, selling photos of himself to his fans. One photo of Leo by Jim French graced the cover of The Smiths' 1983 single, "Hand In Glove." The mail-order venture proved most profitable, as did his live appearance tours across the US and Europe. His 1986 appearance at the Palladium in London alone drew a crowd of thousands. In 1987 Leo Ford retired from the business and relocated to Hawaii, where he spent three years running Pacific Paradise Tours. He returned to Los Angeles in 1990 and revived his mail-order business, selling previously unreleased photos of himself as well as videos of his movies. He also began volunteer and fund-raising work for Project Angel Food in Los Angeles and Project Open Hand in San Francisco. Both organizations deliver meals to persons living with AIDS. On 15 July, 1991, Leo Ford was riding his motorcycle down Fountain Avenue in the Silverlake section of Los Angeles with his lover, Craig Markle. The motorcycle was a treasured souvenir from Leo's appearance in "Class Reunion." While crossing Sunset Boulevard, they were struck by a small truck which illegally entered the street. Leo suffered massive head trauma and was rushed to the USC Medical Center. Mark suffered only minor injuries and was treated and released. Leo, on the other hand, suffered brain swelling and hemorrhaging. He died two days later. The truck driver, who had admitted his fault in the accident, was charged with vehicular manslaughter. After a funeral service in Los Angeles which included chanting by members of the Santa Monica Siddha Meditation Center, Leo was cremated and his ashes sent to San Francisco, where after a memorial service at Josie's Bar they were scattered near the Golden Gate Bridge. Leo was survived by his father, mother, step-mother, and three brothers. A tree was planted in India in his name. Leo Ford had a sensual blond boy-next-door persona which endeared him into the fantasies of many gay men, a phenomena which continues over ten years after his death. He also possessed a business savvy which earned the respect of his peers, and both a spiritual nature and kind heart which won the love and respect of all who knew him. Fittingly, the Gay Adult Video Humanitarian of the Year Award, given by the gay adult video industry to members who have made outstanding contributions to civic and charitable causes, is named in his honor. Leo Ford's credits include "Flashbacks" (a.k.a. "J. Brian's Flashbacks," 1981); " The Summer Of Scott Noll" (1981); "Style"(1981) (re-released as "Falconpac 24: Style," 1982); "Spokes" (1983); "Sailor In The Wild" (1983); "Leo & Lance" (1983); "Games" (1983); "Class Reunion" (a.k.a. "William Higgins' Class Reunion," 1983); "Santa Monica Boulevard" (1985); "Lifeguard" (1985); "Blonds Do It Best" (1985); "Stiff Sentence" (1985); "Passion By Fire: The Big Switch 2" (1986); "New York City Pro" (1986); "New Zealand Undercover" (1987); and "The Best of Leo Ford" (1998). Links:
Obituary in Los Angeles "Update", 31 July, 1991 at RiderGIFS Internet Movie Database - Leo Ford "My Dead Friends" List on Homepage of Stephen Arod Shirreffs, Ph.D.
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