Source: Cinema Seen
By: William Margold
[For a LARGE version of the picture to the right, please follow the “The Last Rendezvous at John Leslie’s Memorial” link below.]
Although Death (the use of capital letters is a display of respect), and I have a deal that will allow me to be a thorn in the side (and elsewhere) of my enemies until the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl…it also has the highly unpredictable ability to make me alter my plans when it comes to preparing a Cinema Seen column about one topic, and then having to switch, at the very last moment, to another.
And so it was with the recent passing of the awesomely gifted Adult Entertainment Legend John Leslie.
Of course I honed something to read at his Celebration of Life (held on Wednesday, December 15 at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City). And I also encouraged many of his Legendary Co-Stars (and Classic Contemporaries) to send me their sentiments…if they weren’t going to be able to attend. However, as the length of time began to wear the audience’s attention span thin, I was unable to read any of their thoughts…so I am presenting them here…in alphabetical order… while saving mine for last.
Tracey Adams – From the minute I laid eyes on John. I wanted to have a drink sitting in some restaurant in a red leather booth with him and get to know him over a bottle of Red. Not as one comes to “know” another in the sense of the word that make US all famous like rock stars but as John Nuzzo…the quintessence of John Leslie. His class and dignity held us all up in the face of relentless objection and ridicule in the 80s not by shaking a fist and going newsworthy, but by maintaining an air of pride and elegance in what we were doing through some inherent magnificence he possessed. John came through for me on a couple of occasions. With just one phone call he righted some wrongs that befell me in a manner not unlike many in Italian history that followed the kissing of a gold ring. All the while I felt challenged as an actor working with him, intimidated by his awesome looks, and more or less like a toad in his presence. Then I had the opportunity of a lifetime to be Beauty to his Beast. It was at this time I became aware of a subtler John. The John I sadly never got to have that drink… never really got to know.
Larry Flynt – John was a pioneer in the industry. Everyone will most certainly miss him.
Gloria Leonard – As part of the original East Coast talent pool back in the mid-late 70s – before Blue Movies headed to the Golden West – John and I spent considerable time together on a number of movie sets – yes, gang – movies, not videos – perhaps some of you can remember that far back. What a man, what a man, what a man! It wasn’t just his dazzling good looks combined with Those eyes…it was his remarkable intelligence, outrageous sense of humor, and considerate compassion that I remember most. I’d seen some of his fine art, sampled some of his culinary creations, and listened to him wail on the harmonica. Talk about your Renaissance man – way before the term was widely used. John was the real deal…always full of life and lust. I can remember a time in the mid-80’s when I was recovering from surgery and John came to see me. Out of the blue, he remarked that he though I had “young eyes.” It wasn’t until sometime later that I came to understand his observation. And if indeed the eyes are the mirrors to our souls. I will always and forever feel connected to one of the most incredible men I had the good fortune to cross paths with. Rest in peace, beautiful John.
Seka – First and foremost John was interesting, handsome, strange, a force to be reckoned with. At times difficult to be with, around and understood…he knew what he wanted, how he wanted it, and would not settle for anything less. He will always be revered and forever missed.
Serena – John was the one that was a pleasure to work with in the 1970s when we both were hired to act. He was a Bay Area guy, very handsome with olive skin and a tight butt. The Italian stud…he was always reliable, always ready with a hard-on when required, and always a complete professional. I am in shock that he is gone. Together we made some good movies in the Golden Era of Porn. Which means that he is in Heaven.
Randy West – John was one of the most talented guys we ever had in the business, both in front of and behind the camera. He was a class act and always professional, which is not a common trait in the entertainment business. He was demanding, but also had a good sense of humor. When you worked with John, you knew that you were working with a real actor, which would always make your performance better. That’s what real actors do. And he was also just as talented, if not more so, as a musician. We’ll miss you, John. You’re gone too soon. But you didn’t get cheated. You had a hell of a life and saw and did it all. And you got lucky enough to find a beautiful, smart and loving wife as well. Now I’m getting, you bastard. Have a good journey my friend. And may your next life be as interesting as this one was. God bless, brother.
Quickly adapting to the fact that none of the above was going to be heard, I used the following to encourage any and all performers in attendance from John’s early days to join me on the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. And while they struggled with their sorrows as well as their physical depreciations to join me, I, feeling myself starting to shake under tremendous emotional strain, bellowed out: I’ve labeled this evening The Last Rendezvous…in the realization that carnal cinema contemporaries – who I am immensely proud to be a member – of the gentleman whom we are honoring here – was one of Explicit Erotic Entertainment’s Mountain Men.
During the 1970s, we seized and shattered society’s sexual sensibilities as scaled mammoth mammaries, ventured deep into captivating caves of copulation, and navigated up furious rivers of flesh. And in the pulsating process…we created the Golden Age of X. And without a doubt…the most unique of our lusty legion was a magnetic, mesmerizing monument of masculinity named John Leslie. By now, confident that John’s multi-faceted adult industry credits – and his remarkable talents as a musician, artist, and culinary master have all been reverently acknowledged – I am content to conclude my homage by offering the following image for your minds to digest: John Leslie is the only man I’ve ever met that could chard the Venus De Milo into giving him a hand job.
[For a LARGE version of the picture at the top of this story, please follow the “The Last Rendezvous at John Leslie’s Memorial” link just below.]
