How do you feel about porn with actors who have died?

[Quietus666]

I have actually thought about this lately and have come to the conclusion that in general, porn shouldn't be overanalyzed. It's great to watch but a viewer can't think about the lives of the guys. I actually feel sorry for them, also for being in (reportedly) such a hard-to-work-in industry. I believe it must be a very hard job, whether it's professional, amateur or any kind of porn.

Many times you see professional studios where everything seems to be ok and maybe also fun (I've watched some backstage videos; the guys were having fun, laughing...) but then you get an information that guys from these professional studios are dying of diseases or drug overdoses.
I believe that what we see is a result of hard work and there must be a lot of stuff happening backstage we have no clue about. It'd be stupid to think porn is great because of having all the sex. I can't imagine doing it.

So, I feel sorry if a guy whose videos I like dies but... as I said, it's tough but I think porn isn't there to be overanalyzed.

 

[prickles]

I have been sitting back and reading the posts, with such wonderful opinions form many viewpoints. From arguments about appreciating those who have passed and continuing to appreciate their work. To concern about the industry, which may be a contributing factor in some deaths, and yes if a person enters pornography who is in a bad situation doing porn will probably make things worse not better. But some seem to have fixated on the negative, not all deaths where down to being in the porn industry, we all are susceptible to accidents happening and health issues. And in those cases, and even as a person gets older it might be nice to be remembered in their prime.

I especially appreciated comments on ignoring something out of misjudged respect.

Suicide is always tragic, but in my eyes it becomes even more tragic if the people's work is hidden away after their death out of some kind of perversion of 'respect'.

Again thanks to all contributors.

 

[slickboy]

Its fine to say "just appreciate the beauty" but sometimes being aware of details can mentally get in the way. It's hard to look at a gorgeous young Jeff Palmer in Heatwave without thinking of his HIV-denial and what I think could fairly be called a descent into insanity.

 

[mikk33]

Ultimately its the image or moving images that are attractive, its the representation of the self at that time. We don't not read books by dead authors, or refuse to view dead artists work. scott o'hara's provocative works have added resonance because he died of aids after campaigning for equality and recognition. whether the actor is in denial, a drug addict, has mental health problems all adds resonance to the images they created. after all its 'new' if you have never seen it before, often you don't even know who the person is or was, its the reaction to the image that creates a response in the viewer.

 

[BadMan125]

I don't feel one thing or another about it. But vintage gay porn is still hot.

 

[whtlkn4blknil]

It is sad to think of any artist passing in any manner, however, that doesn't depreciate the quality of the art. And yes pornography is a form of art just as painting, sculpting, or opera singing.

 

[stephenhaines]

Whether they die young, or go to jail, or simply retire, it does settle a wistful quality on any star's work knowing there will be no more. But I don't think it diminishes the erotic worth of the material as you watch.

Respectively, I'm all the more grateful for what I managed to save of Arpad Miklos, Jarec Wentworth, or Landon Conrad and Tommy Defendi, as the likelihood of having any more by them disappears. I'm sure, in the immediate days after learning the death of Miklos, or Erik Rhodes or Wilfried Knight, I was downloading whatever remaining still-live links I could find. That might seem ghoulish now, but in the moment I think it was more an unwillingness to surrender them.

These men lend flesh and blood to the specific fantasies of gay men, so that when one of them dies it's a more insular sense of loss than when it's a name the whole wide world knows. Gathering and maintaining the work they leave behind, in addition to its erotic assistance, now becomes a gesture of tribute too.

 

[dargelos]

If millions of people can pray to Jesus every day, even though he died in tragic cirstances, I can wank to porn every day even if the actors died in tragic cirstances.

 

[dwilliams104]

R.I.P Alexander Gustavo

 

[stephenhaines]

R.I.P Alexander Gustavo

Certainly we don't know all the details yet - and quite likely never will - but it's very difficult to imagine such depth of despair that sees no hope at only 33. Rest in peace.

 

[stephenhaines]

R.I.P Alexander Gustavo

Here's what little I found to read so far
Anon URL

 

[linniejr2013]

I don't feel one thing or another about it. But vintage gay porn is still hot.

I would have to agree with BadMan. I would say the only difference is maybe I appreciate his contribution more.

 

[stephenhaines]

If there's one film that haunts me, it's the 'bird' studio's 1990 'Plunge,' the last fully precondom in its roster. Nine cast members and even Steven Craig (Kreig) was a couple years younger than me when it came out in early '90. By seven more birthdays he, Joey Stefano, Luke Bender, Rod Phillips, Lon Flexx, Andy Mantegna, and Buck Tanner were all dead. As far I know Cal Jansen and Doug Niles still survive.

It's as hot as anything that studio and Scarborough ever put out, but it's still spooky watching one dead man do another, knowing seven of them didn't even make it to 40.

 

[gorgik9]

If there's one film that haunts me, it's the 'bird' studio's 1990 'Plunge,' the last fully precondom in its roster. Nine cast members and even Steven Craig (Kreig) was a couple years younger than me when it came out in early '90. By seven more birthdays he, Joey Stefano, Luke Bender, Rod Phillips, Lon Flexx, Andy Mantegna, and Buck Tanner were all dead. As far I know Cal Jansen and Doug Niles still survive.

It's as hot as anything that studio and Scarborough ever put out, but it's still spooky watching one dead man do another, knowing seven of them didn't even make it to 40.

What I really don't get is why it should be more "spooky" watching old porn movies than old movies in general ?!?!

I mean how many totally dead actors can you see in old cinematic masterpieces like "The Godfather", "Rebel Without a Cause" or "The Wizard of Oz"?

 

[RazzmaTazz]

I have no issue watching porn, or jacking off to porn or erotic photos of guys that I'm sure are dead by now. Death is part of the eternal circle. If we like the guys in the videos and photos we are going to continue to enjoy them. If George Clooney were to drop dead today I wouldn't stop watching Oceans 11 or The Peacemaker. I also think that the folks in the porn probably realized that their films and photos would last longer than they would.

 

[nawtyboi]

It's actually pretty cool that their youth, their energy, their beauty has been captured forever.

Was just thinking this. The reason for video is to preserve that particular moment, including a person's image at that time..