Industry Veteran Frank Barbarino Passes Away

LOS ANGELES—Frank Barbarino, the president of FB Productions, one of the leading box cover companies in adult entertainment, died Monday night, friends confirmed today. Barbarino’s commercial printing and packaging company is well established as one of the two go-to destinations for box covers in the adult industry with a portfolio that spans nearly three decades. "Obviously this is shocking news,” said Wicked Pictures founder Steve Orenstein. “I started my business in 1993, and I've been dealing with Frank since then and knew him a little bit before that. Probably truly one of the nicest guys you could know, that is always there for everyone else, always looking to help you in any way, a guy who his word and his follow-through was the most important thing, and you just always knew where you stood and that you could count on him.  “So again, very shocking news. I would say that I can only come up with positive things to say about Frank, and that he in that regard stands out for those things, and he will definitely be someone that's missed.” Since founding the company in 1989, Barbarino strived to make sure FB Productions remained on the cutting edge of printing technology as he serviced a diverse clientele ranging from Hollywood studio heavyweights to adult film giants. “We provide a winning combination of honesty, integrity and hard work,” reads the FB Productions company history. “These essential factors have constructed a lasting foundation and continues to be a never-ending commitment of the company’s president, Frank Barbarino.”  Director Axel Braun remembered Barbarino's generosity and kindness. "The first time I set foot in his home I was blown away by his exquisite taste in furniture and decorating, and I told him—we had literally just met— and when I told him I was about to close escrow on a house, he immediately volunteered all the numbers of the designers, artists and contractors who had worked on it," Braun recalled. "So for the following six years I lived in a house that I had modeled after his. Francesco was an exceptionally kind and generous man, loved by everybody who knew him, myself included, and his passing is as saddening as it is unexpected." Remembrances of Barbarino poured in on Facebook Tuesday from numerous industry professionals. Combat Zone and Filly Films owner Dion Giarrusso called him “my brother.” “I love you and will never forget you,” Giarrusso said on his Facebook page. K-Beech owner Kevin Beechum posted, “Today is a very sad day for me. Today I lost my Best Friend-Brother Frankie as he passed away last night. RIP My Friend.” “I loved Frank. I’ve known him for over 30 years,” industry veteran Wendy Nitz posted. “My heart is broken by this horrible loss.”  Lewis Adams, sales manager for Metro West, remembered how Barbarino treated him when he was first entering the industry. “When I started in this business in 2000, Frank was the first printer I ever used," Adams said. "We even had a problem on our first order and he said, 'I want to get this right on your first because I want you to be successful,' and I’ll never forget that. "Not long after that I was part of a regular lunch with Frank Barbarino and Dion Giarrusso. I can honestly say I learned most of the porn industry at those lunches.” AVN's Peter Warren contributed to this report.