RIP, Superstar Auteur Gino Colbert

It was just last week that we learned of the death of gay porn star Blue Blake in London at age 52. Now, we can confirm that legendary director Gino Colbert has also passed away. (The two men were frequent collaborators.) It’s been reported that Colbert, 58, had a heart attack at his home in Hollywood last August. This was a sad end for a man who spent many years in front of the camera as a model and then behind it as an award-winning writer, producer and director of films in the gay, straight, bisexual and trans genres.

Colbert helmed countless titles for numerous studios before starting his own Gino Pictures imprint. He had a hand in discovering Joey Stefano, the Rockland brothers and many other big-name porn stars. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Colbert started as an assistant to straight porn director Joe Sarno (subject of the 2013 documentary A Life in Dirty Pictures) in the late 1970s in New York. Eventually he made his way to Los Angeles, where he worked for VCA/HIS, Leisure Time, Metro and New Age Pictures, creating classic movies such as Three Brothers, Porn Fiction, Men in Blue, Jeff Stryker’s Underground, Night Walk and The Matinee Idol (starring Ken Ryker). And who could forget 1994’s Tijuana Toilet Tramps (featuring Stefano)!? Colbert later turned his love for theater into a stage career, touring in Ronnie Larsen plays such as Scenes From My Love Life, 10 Naked Men, All-Male Peep Show and Shooting Porn: Live On Stage. He was also involved in Larsen’s 1997 film documentary Shooting Porn.

In recent years, Colbert oversaw the annual Hall of Fame induction presentation at the now-defunct GAYVN Awards and helped Robert Van Damme (below with Gino in 2009) with the launch of his RVD Productions. He was also a guest speaker at UC Santa Barbara graduate film program, and he was honored with an annual film festival dedicated to his work at the former Tomkat Theatre in West Hollywood. While he had stepped away from the business, Colbert remained a devoted movie buff and fan. He was also one of nicest and most thoughtful guys you could ever meet—in or out of the industry. RIP, sweet man.

David Forest Dead at 66

PHOTO BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Sad news over the holiday weekend: Industry veteran David Forest has passed away. An obituary in The L.A. Times yesterday confirmed that the flamboyant talent agent and manager died on August 13 from complications due to diabetes. Forest, 66, had recently suffered a heart attack and a broken leg but, in his usual fashion, appeared to be bouncing back.

Following a successful career in music, booking acts such as the Grateful Dead and Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham (before Fleetwood Mac), Forest made a name for himself in gay porn by managing a veritable who’s who of big-name stars. He formed his company in 1981 and oversaw the careers of Jeremy Scott, Leo Ford, Tim Kramer and Lance, among others. In the early ’90s, Forest signed Ryan Idol, Ken Ryker, Kevin Williams and Tom Katt. The Forest roster continued to grow in 2000 with the addition of Billy Herrington, Jeff Palmer, Billy Brandt, Eric Hanson, Jeremy Tucker, Caesar and Chris Steele. In recent years, Forest has managed superstars such as Mark Dalton, Rod Barry, Zeb Atlas, Johnny Castle and Tony Capucci.

At various times over his 35-year career, he was incarcerated on pandering charges, retired, sold his company, entered rehab, relaunched his escorting service and worked on his autobiography (tentatively titled From Rock to Cock). Somehow Forest, often a controversial figure in the porn world, always returned to the business he loved. For Los Angeles readers, a “Celebration of Life” service will be held this Friday, September 11, at 11 am at Hillside Mortuary (6001 W. Centinela Ave.).

Cole Tucker Passes Away at 61

PHOTO BY VINCENT LAMBERT

One of the legends of gay porn’s heyday has died. According to The Desert Sun, Cole Tucker passed last Sunday in Palm Springs from AIDS-related causes. The tattooed superstar appeared in numerous films for multiple studios in the mid to late 1990s, making his gay porn debut at age 44. He went on to win a Grabby for Best Performer in 1998 and was inducted into the Grabbys Hall of Fame in 2000. The same year he was also honored with a special achievement award from the GAYVNs for his work for AIDS charities. Hit titles include Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, MANeuvers: Agony of Victory, Link 2 Link and Fallen Angel.

Following his retirement, Tucker resumed his career in real estate. He is survived by his longtime former partner Louis Milinazzo. A memorial service will be held this Saturday, June 13, at 11 am at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (1020 East Ramon Road) in Palm Springs. His family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Desert AIDS Project. For more information, visit desertaidsproject.org.

Karp, Richard Allen (Rick), 61, passed away Sunday , June 7 in Palm Springs from AIDs related illness. He is survived by his brothers Steven, Paul and Alan Karp, his sister Sarilee Norton, his nieces Lisa Estrach and Chelsea Karp, his nephews David and Kevin Karp, and his dear friend and former partner Louis Milinazzo. Rick had worked as a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker for many years, both in Palm Springs and Boston. Formerly, he worked in the hospitality and entertainment industries while residing in Provincetown, Boston and Palm Springs. Despite being HIV positive for nearly 35 years, Rick continued to move forward with his life and provide support and encouragement to others who were living with HIV. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1020 East Ramon Road in Palm Springs. The family invites Rick's friends and colleagues to join us.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Desert AIDs Project in Palm Springs - See more at: http://obituaries.desertsun.com/obituaries/thedesertsun/obituary.aspx?n=richard-allen-karp&pid=175050590&#sthash.S9a278GA.dpuf

Karp, Richard Allen (Rick), 61, passed away Sunday , June 7 in Palm Springs from AIDs related illness. He is survived by his brothers Steven, Paul and Alan Karp, his sister Sarilee Norton, his nieces Lisa Estrach and Chelsea Karp, his nephews David and Kevin Karp, and his dear friend and former partner Louis Milinazzo. Rick had worked as a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker for many years, both in Palm Springs and Boston. Formerly, he worked in the hospitality and entertainment industries while residing in Provincetown, Boston and Palm Springs. Despite being HIV positive for nearly 35 years, Rick continued to move forward with his life and provide support and encouragement to others who were living with HIV. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1020 East Ramon Road in Palm Springs. The family invites Rick's friends and colleagues to join us.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Desert AIDs Project in Palm Springs - See more at: http://obituaries.desertsun.com/obituaries/thedesertsun/obituary.aspx?n=richard-allen-karp&pid=175050590&#sthash.S9a278GA.dpuf

Karp, Richard Allen (Rick), 61, passed away Sunday , June 7 in Palm Springs from AIDs related illness. He is survived by his brothers Steven, Paul and Alan Karp, his sister Sarilee Norton, his nieces Lisa Estrach and Chelsea Karp, his nephews David and Kevin Karp, and his dear friend and former partner Louis Milinazzo. Rick had worked as a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker for many years, both in Palm Springs and Boston. Formerly, he worked in the hospitality and entertainment industries while residing in Provincetown, Boston and Palm Springs. Despite being HIV positive for nearly 35 years, Rick continued to move forward with his life and provide support and encouragement to others who were living with HIV. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1020 East Ramon Road in Palm Springs. The family invites Rick's friends and colleagues to join us.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Desert AIDs Project in Palm Springs - See more at: http://obituaries.desertsun.com/obituaries/thedesertsun/obituary.aspx?n=richard-allen-karp&pid=175050590&#sthash.S9a278GA.dpuf