And lest we forget…
Ron Jeremy, who has been accused of egregious sexual indiscretions, is still rotting alone in jail. Here’s some history — some information to fill in the gaps, some background to know Ronald Jeremy Hyatt like his friends, associates, and Industry professionals do.
How do I know Ron Jeremy?
How do I know Ron Jeremy? My x-wife and I were swingers. The best part of that relationship was before we were married when I pretty much let her safely go wild for the first time in her life. We were at the FOXE Awards in 1992 and as we were leaving, she said wait here a minute, I want to meet Ron Jeremy. She went over as everyone was slowly exiting the Country Club venue in Reseda, California, and briefly talked Ron, put her arms around his neck and they pecked a few kisses. When she comes back over to me she says that we’re invited to an after party. I was up for it, so we drive over.
There we meet Tom Byron, Sukoya, Lynn Lemay (who was masturbating on the couch), and several other notable stars. We ended up going into a bathroom with Ron, and I have pictures of me with my pants around my ankles, camera in hand, taking pictures of my lovely sweetheart in a three-way with me and Ron. I’ll never forget the gratitude he expressed about me being there as part of the fun so he wouldn’t have to worry about some jealous boyfriend coming after him.
That was back in the beginning of 1992 and Ron has been an acquaintance ever since. I’ve observed him at numerous events and been cast in some of the same movies. Because of Ron Jeremy I’m 3 degrees from Kevin Bacon.
News Items Both Good and Bad
To be objective I’m including news items both good and bad over the many years since then. I can’t help but be somewhat biased, but you can form your own opinion about Ron Jeremy.
One of the very first big stars in the Adult Industry was Ginger Lynn. I first heard about this incident in 2003. Back in 1983 during the shooting of “A Little Bit of Hanky Panky” in Hawaii, there apparently was a dispute between Ron and Ginger about Ron allegedly joining her and another talent having sex off camera, and then later walking into her bungalow uninvited for more sex. The dispute seemed to be about consent.
Later it came out that Jerry Butler, also in Hanky Panky, was the guy on the beach having sex with Ginger. He said Ron came up and asked to join in. Ron said he thought he took part in a threesome. Gingers said she told him “no” to the sex at the bungalow. Ron recounted the events to AVN like this: “After having sex with someone on the beach, why would you not want to have sex with them? I went up to the room with her to take a shower and then we messed around. No goodbye, no get lost…. We were very good friends, how can you rape a friend?” Ginger and Ron worked together again twice in the next few weeks. “A guy looks bad whether he’s innocent or not and that’s just not fair,” Jeremy said.
Ginger Lynn had a radio show on the now defunct KSEX Radio and went on to claim a dozen women wrote to her claiming to have been “raped by Ron Jeremy.” Jennifer Steele came forward saying that she was allegedly raped twice, once on a Hustler shoot and again at Ron’s apartment. (Why would she go to his apartment after she was allegedly raped?) Kiki Daire claimed Ron would say to her during a scene, “let me put in just the tip, just the tip,” and would turn a blowjob scene into a boy/girl – I’ve heard this multiple times as well, but it was told to me as though he was being pushy and “rape” was never mentioned. Someone who said she was Tina Cherri allegedly claimed rape by Ron and said she received hush money not to mention it, then Tina herself left a message on the AVN.com message machine denying those rumors. “I think people should try calling the source before they go and say things like that,” was the quote from Tina.
Then there was the time Ron spent a night in jail after charges were brought against him by a 20-year-old girl he met in a Deja Vu strip club. The prosecutors said there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him, and the police said, “There just wasn’t enough evidence to show that it was non-consensual.”
Invited to Speak at Oxford
Ron has seen a lot of very respectable press come his way as well. He joined the likes of Mother Teresa, Ronald Reagan, Winston Churchill, Malcolm X, Robert Kennedy and the Dali Lama by addressing the Oxford Union in Oxford, England. The Union is known for debating and Ron defended pornography and the adult industry. Ron was a Metro Studios contract star back then and also had the thrill of spending time with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
As TMZ.com reported in 2007, Ron was at risk of facing battery charges after a girl filed a police report claiming he “autographed her breast without permission” during Miami’s Exxotica show. Read the details of the police report through this link. She evidently didn’t see the other girls in line getting autographs on their breast. Ron’s agent, Mike Esterman, said to TMZ, “Ron routinely signs ladies’ breasts… It’s his signature thing to do.” No charges were filed. The police report states the girl “never gave Ron Jeremy permission to touch her.” She also claims she has photos of the alleged incident.
More good press reported in 2007: Ron was part of an educational commercial campaign to prevent kids from viewing porn. Created in 2003 by XXXChurch.com founder Craig Gross and adult director James “Jimmy D” DiGiorgio, they created the spots for cable TV. Ron is quoted saying, “Pornography is for consenting adults… not for kids,” and “We don’t want kids to see our videos.”
2007 Emmy Awards Governor’s Ball
Ron was “man of the hour” at the 2007 Emmy Awards Governor’s Ball, according to the Los Angeles Times. At the exclusive after-party Ron’s presence stopped traffic “in the throng of Hollywood celebrities.” Stars like James Gandolfini, Tom Selleck and Mark Wahlberg “all hailed the king of porn.” Richard Rushfield of the Times wrote, “Mr. Ron Jeremy has graced the academy with his presence, and all will pay homage.”
“You’re the greatest,” Selleck told Jeremy.
“No, you’re the greatest,” Ron graciously replied.
Ron told AVN, “I think the greatest thrill on the red carpet was when James Gandolfini gave me a hug and introduced me to his friends and family. A bunch of cameras caught it, so you’ll probably see it on YouTube.” Ron has made many mainstream Hollywood appearances throughout the years.
Legends of Erotica Hall of Fame
Ron Jeremy was one of six to be inducted into the Legends of Erotica 2008 Hall of Fame. “The thing that’s always made me want to go back and do it again,” Bill Margold commented about the Legends of Erotica show, “is the incredible reverence from the fans toward the performers. I have said it many times: you could hear a pubic hair drop…. There is no future if in the present we fail to pay homage to the past.”
The press release goes on; Friday evening, January 11, six Adult Entertainment Industry luminaries will be inducted into XXX’s most respected and discriminating (in choosing and limiting its number of inductees each year since its inception in 1994) Hall of Fame. The Class of 2008 will enrich the Legends of Erotica on Friday, January 11—and that group will include the lusty likes of Brittany Andrews, Debi Diamond, Ron Jeremy, Midori, Mimi Miyagi and Kitten Natividad.
This years’ Legends of Erotica Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony saw more than the addition of the likes of Ron Jeremy, Debi Diamond, Kitten Natividad, Mimi Miyagi, Midori, and Brittany Andrews. Following induction of these new hall of famers, Bill Margold presented Adult Industry News’ Senior Editor, Steve Nelson with a rare prize; the Carnal Medal of Honor. Margold awarded Steve Nelson the Carnal Medal this year for ”his fair-minded handling of a non-gossip based web site (Adult Industry News.)”
Yes, I try to be fair minded.
I asked Bill Margold how Ron got the handle “The Hedgehog” and was told in 1979 Ron flew in from New York for the film “Olympic Fever.” Ron shows up in a T-shirt and shorts and wasn’t expecting the motorcycle ride in the mountains near Lake Arrowhead to be so cold. Blizzard conditions chilled him to the bone and when he arrived at the set Margold had one of the girls help him warm up in a hot shower. After the shower Margold said all Ron’s body hair was fluffed out and he looked like a big pink hedgehog! The name stuck. Read more on Wikipedia.
Tiger, Meet Hedgehog – Ron Jeremy Licensed to Handle Dangerous Animals
When Ron was in talks to do a reality TV show he needed a certificate to allow him to handle wild baby lions, tigers, bears, and other species.
Andrea Sachs from Time Magazine interviewed Ron to discusses his history in the business and his successful autobiography. Ron’s book, “The Hardest (Working) Man in Show Biz: Horny Women, Hollywood Nights & The Rise of the Hedgehog!” was published in February 2007 by Harper Collins.
In 2008 AVN Hall of Fame star Ron Jeremy co-hosted the 16th annual NightMoves Adult Entertainment Awards show with Kaylani Lei. Read Tony Batman’s exclusive account.
In June 9, 2009 The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) Released RTA PSA featuring Ron for Internet Safety Month. “It’s all about protecting kids,” he said. The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection released a public service announcement featuring Ron for the Restricted to Adults – RTA Website Label in conjunction with National Internet Safety Month. “As with past RTA PSAs featuring adult stars, Jeremy encourages parents to use parental filtering software in order to protect children from viewing age-inappropriate content. The spot is available for viewing on YouTube.com/ASACP.
Ginger Lynn and Ron Jeremy reunite to film their first scene together in more than 25 years. Director Dick Chibbles’ Blue Circus Entertainment booked them to work together in “Drill, A Porn Saw Parody.” Ron told AVN that “he was excited to work with his friend of more than two decades.”
Pretending to blow Ron Jeremy is acceptable – as long as it’s on camera.
Did Ron Jeremy Cost Miss Nevada Her Crown? “The photo, posted Thursday, shows a young woman at a bar embracing porn legend Ron Jeremy and simulating an oral sex act,” reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which broke the story. “Two sources who saw the photo identified the woman in the photo as Kelsall, who finished third runner-up in Donald Trump’s Miss USA contest in June at Planet Hollywood Resort.” “The Miss Nevada USA organization stands behind Jade Kelsall 100 percent and has no intentions of removing her crown,” the statement read. “There is no photo considered salacious or scandalous to our knowledge and we are saddened to see a poor attempt to berate a young woman who has represented her state so proudly.”
Get ready for an about-face!
May 24, 2013 Exxxotica Declares June 2 Ron Jeremy Appreciation Day (Get ready for an about-face!) Exxxotica South Florida is celebrating adult entertainment legend Ron Jeremy with a special day in his honor, the fan expo will hold a special ceremony, penis lookalike contest and more to honor The Hedgehog.
The Sex Awards to Honor Ron Jeremy for Lifetime Achievement
Ron Jeremy and other superstars of the adult entertainment industry gather in Hollywood October 9 for the inaugural show.
Ron Jeremy, who recently returned to filming and public appearances after a health scare (chronicled by CNN here) is one of the most recognizable personalities to ever emerge from adult entertainment. In addition to adult movies, Jeremy has appeared in mainstream films, music videos, and TV shows, and on university lecture circuits – he is a pop culture icon.
Then there’s the medical problems…
Recovering From Heart Surgery: Legendary adult performer Ron Jeremy is recovering from two heart surgeries at Cedars-Sinai for a condition called aortic dissection. His second operation took place early Wednesday afternoon, and according to Jeremy’s manager, Mike Esterman, “Ron is now resting with complete privacy and no visitors.” TMZ.com broke the story, reporting that Jeremy drove himself to the hospital Tuesday afternoon after experiencing severe chest pain. He underwent surgery for what doctors believed was a heart aneurysm or aortic dissection.
Abbey Goodman, CNN wrote, “The worst is over,” [Ron] says of the health crisis that nearly killed him in February.
“But it was really spooky. I guess no heart problem comes at the right time, but this was just a big disaster. I had one of the worst things you could ever have. It really bugs me; it really actually bothers me because I don’t smoke, I barely drink, I don’t touch drugs.”
“I had none of those horrible habits and I still got this horrendous heart problem: aortic dissection, or aortic aneurysm dissection. In my case, I had two: abdominal and thoracic. Two holes they had to sew up.”
ABOUT FACE! Exxxotica Cancels Ron Jeremy. The “Me Too” Movement in Full Swing: The Pile-On Begins.
October 24, 2017, Exxxotica: Ron Jeremy Not Welcome; Jeremy Responds to that statement as well as the complaints on social media that preceded Exxxotica’s move. The posts alleged that the Hall of Fame performer inappropriately touched women at conventions and other industry functions. “If I’ve offended anybody I feel bad,” Jeremy told AVN Tuesday. “I’m not in great shape. I’m old and I’m chunky but there’s still women who drive great distances to see me at these events and a lot of them or their boyfriends request a booby signing. If I ever made a mistake and misread or misjudged what I was doing, then I apologize.”
Cam model Ginger Banks has been leading the chorus of allegations about Jeremy’s behavior, posting a video on YouTube in June detailing various claims. Ron stated, “I’ll stand by my record in general alongside anybody else’s. I’ve never went to jail, never beat anybody, never had any [district attorney] take any case against me. The living proof is my face. It’s never been punched and there’s mostly boyfriends in line with their girlfriends and wives. If I was being too forward or too stupid I would have more black eyes than a panda bear. But that never happens. I’ve never been punched out by a boyfriend ever in my 30-some odd years and I’ve signed thousands of boobies.”
FSC Rescinds 2009 Award Granted to Ron Jeremy – The Free Speech Coalition is officially rescinding an award granted by the organization to Ron Jeremy in 2009. “We have now heard multiple accounts, both publicly and in confidence, from upset, angry performers about encounters with Ron Jeremy that ranged from groping to assault,” Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Eric Paul Leue said in a press release Friday. “In an interview following the allegations, Jeremy dismissed the accounts or made excuses. We can not honor someone who refuses to take his colleagues’ right to consent seriously.” FSC published a statement earlier this week standing in solidarity with performers who come forward with stories of assault, harassment and rape. “We felt it important to send a clear signal that we recognize how challenging it can often be to speak up,” said Leue.
When the chips are down the FSC has left many performers over the years on their own when needing legal help. Talent who have been in jail for obscenity have had the FSC seemingly turn a blind eye to their dire need. Now, when it’s politically correct – and it doesn’t cost them anything – they stomp on Ron Jeremy.
Washington Assault Case Against Ron Jeremy Dropped
In March of, 2018 Charges leveled by a Washington woman against Ron of sexually assaulting her during a September 2017 appearance at Castle Megastore were dismissed by the Tacoma City Attorney’s Office, TMZ reported. As detailed in a story by DailyBeast.com contributor and former adult performer Aurora Snow, accuser Kristin Brodie was working as a “Rock Girl” for local radio station KISW at the time of the alleged assault, and claims Jeremy forcibly touched her crotch and licked her nipple, among other physical transgressions, before a crowd of onlookers while he was signing autographs at the store alongside fellow adult performers Lily LaBeau and Allie Haze. According to TMZ, local police interviewed a number of witnesses from the encounter and reviewed surveillance videos before submitting their report to the city attorney’s office, which declined to pursue it, rendering the case closed.
Good thing there were cameras!
TMZ: Unnamed Woman Accuses Ron Jeremy of Assault at the Rainbow. TMZ reports that a woman whose name was not disclosed filed a report with the L.A. Sheriff’s Department claiming that Jeremy last December followed her into the bathroom at Sunset Strip landmark the Rainbow Bar & Grill—which Jeremy is widely known to frequent—and proceeded to grope her against her will. The case has been turned over to the district attorney’s office for review.
Ron Jeremy on Rekindled Claims in New Civil Suit: ‘They Lied’ – Ron Jeremy told AVN that the Washington woman who has now re-submitted sexual assault charges against him in the form of a civil suit is lying. The charges, brought by Kristin Brodie and stemming from a September 2017 appearance Jeremy made at a Washington location of Castle Megastore, were originally filed with police as a criminal matter and turned over after investigation to the Tacoma City Attorney’s Office, which last March declined to pursue the case. TMZ reports that Brodie has now struck back with a new civil suit in which she says that while working the event in question as a “Rock Girl” for local radio station KISW, Jeremy committed four acts of assault against her, including “violently” groping her breast, squeezing her buttocks, sucking on the back of her neck and pushing his fingers into her vagina through her underwear.
“They Lied! Everything is on Camera!”
“That’s a lie. They lied,” Jeremy rebutted. “I did not do that. We had tons of security. And it was not a Disney store, it was an X-rated store… where they had security cameras 24 hours around the clock, everything is on camera. [The DA] dismissed it.
Ron Jeremy Charged With Sexual Assault of 4 Women June 23, 2020. Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced Tuesday that Ron Jeremy has been charged with forcibly raping three women and sexually assaulting another in separate incidents dating back to 2014. Jeremy told AVN, “There’s some really mean people out there. … When people hear the truth, people are going to hear the truth, let’s put it that way.”
In May 2014, Jeremy is accused of forcibly raping a 25-year-old woman at a home in West Hollywood. He allegedly sexually assaulted two women, ages 33 and 46, on separate occasions at a West Hollywood bar in 2017. He also is accused of forcibly raping a 30-year-old woman at the same bar in July 2019. The District Attorney’s Office also declined a case against Jeremy due to insufficient evidence stemming from an incident in 2016. Prosecutors are recommending bail at $6.6 million. If convicted as charged, Jeremy faces a possible maximum sentence of 90 years to life in state prison.
Ron Jeremy Arraignment Delayed Until Friday, No Plea Entered. Jeremy is currently housed in Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles, after his bail was set at $6.6 million. Jeremy’s lawyer, Stuart Goldfarb, called the bail amount set by Espinoza “horrendously high…”
Ron Jeremy Pleads Not Guilty To Rape; Motion To Lower Bail Denied. Prosecutors in the case opposed reduction in Jeremy’s bail, telling the court that “at least 25 women have come forward to make allegations against the defendant ranging from misdemeanor sexual battery to rape,” since Tuesday, when Jeremy made his initial court appearance following his arrest, according to a report by KNBC investigative reporter Eric Leonard.
ME TOO! ME TOO! ME TOO!
In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine reported that more that a dozen women had made accusations of sexual misconduct against Jeremy, but no charges were brought at that time. And on Thursday of this week, adult industry performer Ginger Banks, whose initial allegations against Jeremy sparked the 2017 Rolling Stone report, told Britain’s Sun tabloid that since making that accusation, she has collected “about 50 legitimate first hand accounts” from alleged victims of sexual assaults by Jeremy.
From the UK Daily Mail: “He’s No Rapist”
‘Yes Ron Jeremy is a groper – but he’s no rapist.’ Bar manager at West Hollywood hot spot where [Ron Jeremy] would frequent four nights a week jumps to the porn star’s defense.
Eliot Preschutti, 46, was the bar manager at the legendary Rainbow Bar & Grill in West Hollywood where porn star Ron Jeremy was a regular. Preschutti has jumped to Jeremy’s defense after he was accused of being a sexual predator, saying ‘Yes he’s a groper but he’s no rapist.’ Jeremy, 67, has been charged with forcibly raping three women and sexually assaulting another in separate incidents dating back to 2014. The former bar manager said he spent hours with Jeremy and witnessed first hand how he was mobbed by dozens of female fans each night.
Preschutti cites one incident in the bar when a woman falsely accused Jeremy of attempted rape, but said the woman was all over him. Preschutti believes Jeremy – nicknamed The Hedgehog – has been wrongly accused by women who want to make a name for themselves… “Just another transparent attempt to take him down.”
‘First of all, he’s almost 70-years-old and can’t even hold up his arms. My little sister can wiggle out of his grasp,’ he said.
”He’s not strong enough to rape a woman. And secondly he gets enough action that he doesn’t need to go chasing down girls.
And the former bar manager said Jeremy never acted inappropriately with any of his female bar staff.
No Criminal Charges Had Ever Been Filed Against Jeremy
Ron Jeremy Lawyer Discusses Disagreement on Bail Amount but Superior Court Judge Miguel Espinoza denied the motion after prosecutors said that they had received 25 new complaints against Jeremy, including 13 that allegedly took place in Southern California. In comments to AVN, however, Goldfarb said that the allegations may have come largely from Jeremy’s appearances at adult industry conventions and trade shows, where close physical interaction with female fans is par for the course. None of the older allegations say that Jeremy used force against his alleged victims, and until the cases brought against him last week, no criminal charges had ever been filed against Jeremy, Goldfarb said. Jeremy’s lack of previous criminal charges, and his declining health status at age 67 show that he is not a danger to the public, Goldfarb said. But Espinoza apparently disagreed.
From the Internet Model Database: Ron Jeremy is one of the very few adult film stars to make the jump into mainstream cinema, with minor appearances in movies such as Reindeer Games (2000), Detroit Rock City (1999) and The Boondock Saints (1999). He was born Ron Jeremy Hyatt on March 12, 1953, in New York City and graduated from Cardozo High School (Queens, NY) in 1971, attained a masters degree from Queens College and then commenced special educational teaching in the New York City area. In 1978, a girlfriend sent his photo off to “Playgirl” magazine for appearance in its “Boy Next Door” pages. It was an understatement to say that Ron was deluged with female fan mail, and letters of interest from adult filmmakers! He was a former high school teacher in New York City, and holds a master’s degree in Special Education. Ron also directed “Penthouse” Pet turned adult film star Racquel Darrian in Charlie’s Girls 3 (1990). The two never performed on-screen together officially, but Racquel has referred to him as “hands-on director.” The two have been friends for years.
And there’s more:
Ron Jeremy Case Delayed After Lawyer Asks for Names of Accusers – Longtime adult performer appeared at preliminary hearing December 14, 2020. Ron Jeremy Sexual Assault Case Delayed Again Until End of March. Continuance follows earlier delay as defense asked to see names of Jeremy’s accusers.
Prosecutors from the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office opposed Goldfarb’s request, saying that under state rules governing sex crime cases, accusers’ names must remain under seal. Judge Jose I. Sandoval gave Goldfarb until January 11 to answer the prosecution’s objections — but on Monday a new continuance was granted anyway, after Sandoval denied Goldfarb’s request for the names, according to D.A.’s office spokesperson Greg Risling.
Solitary Confinement?
Ron Jeremy is currently being housed by himself in a medical unit of the country jail system because of medical conditions. One would think this is rather inhumane.
An anonymous girl writes me, “Last summer a lawyer told me he heard ‘they already decided what they were gonna do and chance he wont see light of day’ about case plus judge was determined to make him stay in jail …such a hate crime on sex workers. I filed advocacy case with sex workers outreach USA for him too….” [sic]
Excessive bail for (no offense to Ron) a weak old man who can only shuffle around and tell jokes. This all smacks of a vendetta. I’m worried that the true facts are being obscured by people seeking opportunities to make names for themselves.
I haven’t been able to see Ron myself yet, but from those who have seen him that report back to me, he looks like hell. If justice actually prevails he just may be completely exonerated. But who trusts our system anymore?
