The Men of Porn: Gonzo Gods and Shot Callers

This article is part of AVN's cover story on male performers, which ran in the July issue of AVN. To see the issue online, click here.  If you’ve spent any time on adult news and review sites, you’ve no doubt seen the “top stars” lists generated by VOD giant AEBN. Each week like clockwork, AEBN compiles a list of the top female performers and male gay performers—a sales tool that its affiliates can use on their sites. It’s always a fun snapshot of which names are currently trending, and one can imagine performers must get a real charge the first time they appear on the list. One group doesn’t often get its own list: straight male performers. It’s just one example of how—unlike their counterparts in gay adult content—men in straight porn don’t bask in the same spotlight that shines on their female co-stars. But in a changing marketplace where more women are watching porn and more performers are creating their own custom clips and cultivating their brands on social media, male star power is growing. One big milestone is the arrival of the “Fleshlight Guys”—molded dildos that follow the format of the Fleshjack series, created to capitalize on the popularity of gay adult stars. The Fleshlight Guys collection debuted with three of the most popular performers on the straight side: Manuel Ferrara, Mick Blue and Ryan Driller. That landmark got us thinking that it was about time to devote an issue to the Y factor in XXX: those performers with Y chromosomes who labor in a field dominated by women. We celebrate 50 of the most active performers on the following pages, from those whose métier is the feature film and couples erotica (Thespians and Heartthrobs) to the Gonzo Gods who are the industry’s top sexual athletes. And we salute the Shot Callers: performers who also work behind the camera on their own commercially distributed movies. This list is by no means comprehensive or definitive. But one thing is definite. We love the men of porn. If you’re not on the list, that doesn’t mean we aren’t watching you. And we’ll be watching even more closely when award season rolls around in September. The prenomination site for the AVN Awards opens up then—we want to hear about your favorite scenes and movies. We look forward to helping all of you—both established stars and promising newbies—continue to build your own careers. Below, you'll find information on the Gonzo Gods and Shot Callers. The second part of the package, spotlighting the industry's Thespians and Heartthrobs, will be posted tomorrow on AVN.com. THE GONZO GODS What does it take to be a great gonzo performer? Being in peak physical condition clearly rates high, but there’s so much more. Top-flight performers understand how they need to move in order to deliver the very best visuals to those porn fans who like the men hard and the action harder. We asked veteran gonzo director Jules Jordan about what he looks for. “Stamina is definitely the one trait necessary to make a great all-sex performer,” Jordan said. “Although our days are short, they require the ‘ultimate sex’ to occur. As an all-sex, gonzo director I want to see all angles of the action, and clearly show in a very explicit manner the sex acts that are occurring with as little cuts as possible. Our productions will often feature group scenarios, which require a lot of fluidity in changing partners and positions frequently.” And in addition to the strictly physical side, there’s also a matter of chemistry. As Jordan explains, “I generally look for compatibility with the female star first, then how agile the performer is, or if he has any talents or features that make him special.” Jason BrownA two-time AVN Award winner who has been active for more than a decade, this drop-dead-gorgeous performer has worked for a wide array of studios, but most prolifically for Jules Jordan Video, Blacked.com and Dogfart. And he’s also honing his hip-hop chops; follow @Kyro009 on Twitter. DreddDredd really came into his own in 2017, working exclusively with Jules Jordan. In the Dredd series, he takes on some of porn’s most prominent female performers. According to Madison Greene of AdultEmpire.com, Dredd’s popularity has skyrocketed the past six months, putting him in such company as Mandingo, Lexington Steele, Manuel Ferrara and Rocco Siffredi. Markus DupreeLast year, this hardcore hottie was everywhere, garnering 20 nominations prior to the 2018 AVN Awards Show. By the end of the night his arms were full of four awards—one of which was AVN Male Performer of the Year. The Russian star gave a rousing acceptance speech, thanking mentor Rocco Siffredi as well as many of the directors who have helped his career. Steve HolmesThe quintessential Euro-stud, Holmes is a two-time AVN Male Foreign Performer of the Year winner (2005 and 2006) as well as a 2017 inductee into the AVN Hall of Fame. And he’s still a busy man, performing for a wide field of blue-chip studios. From left, Jason Brown, Dredd (photo courtesy Jules Jordan Video), Markus Dupree and Steve Holmes MandingoClosing in on two decades in porn, this AVN Hall of Famer is so popular that he’s one of the few male performers whose name appears regularly in DVD series titles: e.g., Mandingo Massacre (Jules Jordan Video), Meet Mandingo (Hard X/Mile High) and Mandingo: The King of Interracial (Dogfart). Sean MichaelsAn A-list performer since the late 1980s, Sean Michaels is a bona fide porn pioneer who has also worked behind the camera. And there’s no question he continues to stay on top. VOD giant AEBN ranks the debonair professional among the ten most popular male performers based on movie sales and consumer interest. Mr. PeteSince joining the adult industry 17 years ago, the Nevada native and AVN Award winner has long surpassed the 2,500 mark for scene credits on IAFD.com, and we don’t doubt he can hit 3K. And on top of that, the 2014 inductee into the AVN Hall of Fame has directed close to 100 movies as well. Ramon NomarWith his Latin lover accent and good looks, Ramon Nomar certainly can fill the bill in erotic couples movies, but it’s his skills as a hardcore performer that garner him myriad AVN Award nominations year after year. We’re looking forward to seeing the Venezuelan stud in Deadpool XXX: An Axel Braun Parody (Wicked Pictures), which will showcase his acting chops. From left, Mandingo, Ramon Nomar, Sean Michaels and Mr. Pete Johnny SinsA 2018 nominee for AVN Male Performer of the Year, this handsome industry vet is a go-to guy for Brazzers, racking up hundreds of scenes for that studio alone out of his 1300-plus credits. And he’s a shot-caller in his own right for Sins Life, the company he started with partner Kissa Sins. Chris StrokesWith his nickname, the White Mamba, Strokes makes it clear he is one Caucasian who’s packing some heat. He’s put his inches to work for many adult studios, including Bang, Dogfart, Elegant Angel, Evil Angel, Legal Porno and Lethal Hardcore, but most prolifically with Jules Jordan Video, where he’s done many boy/boy/girl scenes with Jordan himself. John StrongThis muscular Russian-born stud estimates that he has done more than 6,000 scenes. The reliable woodsman currently performs for many top companies, including Evil Angel, Brazzers, Kink.com, Jules Jordan Video, Elegant Angel and Reality Junkies. Rico StrongThis native of California has been a hardcore hero since 2004. From double penetrations to orgies to interracial scenes, Strong has done it all—and lived up to his name every time. For the ideal showcase of his skills, check out his Rico the Destroyer series from Jules Jordan Video. Prince YahshuaA unique and talented performer, Prince Yahshua is true porn royalty and the very definition of a bankable star. According to VOD site AEBN, Yahshua hovers near the top of the heap in sales volume and is one of the most prolific male performers. And now he’s the central focus of the site OnlyPrince.com, part of the James Deen Cash network. From left, Johnny Sins, John Strong, Chris Strokes, Rico Strong and Prince Yahshua THE SHOT-CALLERS It’s not easy being a “dick for hire.” Though male performers in the industry tend to have longer careers than their female counterparts, they still find themselves at the mercy of directors and studios when it comes to bookings. That’s not a problem for those fortunate male stars who have proven their staying power on and off the screen, and have gotten to the point in their careers where they’re doing the casting and directing. To get some perspective on the challenges of attaining that goal, we talked to the ultimate “shot caller”: Jules Jordan. He’s been juggling his time in front of and behind the camera for more than twenty years, and though he still regularly performs as well as directs, at this point in his career he has moved into a new arena: adult industry mogul. (He’s even moved into the pleasure product market.) But Jordan still remembers what it took to first carve out his niche as a performer-director. “Obviously I’m in a rare position where I get to choose whom to work with in my own movies,” Jordan said. “When I first started filming/directing I had to do this by necessity, because I had no male talent to hire on the East Coast at the time. Fortunately I’m the producer and director, so I can make every decision. “It’s nice to be able to have the choice of deciding which girls I’d like to have sex with, although it can also be frustrating when you’re trying to make sure that all of what you want is captured, while you are in front of the camera,” he continued. “I think I’m probably the only one who does stills of the talent, shoots the ‘intro,’ then passes the camera off to another camera man in order to then have sex in front of the camera. This can definitely be a challenge to change your mindset for every step.” On the surface, it would seem the ultimate goal for any male performer would be to start his own company, begin directing, book his own talent and perform in almost every scene. But the reality is, being a shot caller is a skill that requires a certain mix of talent, drive and determination. From left, Mick Blue (photo courtesy BAM Visions/Evil Angel), James Deen (photo by Steve Prue/RockStarImages.com), Ike Diezel (photo by Rick Garcia) and Manuel Ferrara Mick BlueThree-time AVN Male Performer of the Year winner Mick Blue has also done his share of directing, with many titles for Zero Tolerance, Mile High Media and other companies. In 2015, along with wife Anikka Albrite and director Maestro Claudio, he formed a new company, BAM Visions. Distributed by Evil Angel, BAM Visions is where Blue has won acclaim for series such as Mick’s Anal Teens. James DeenThough his career dates back to 2004, it wasn’t until 2013 that James Dean started his own production company. James Deen Productions was created to provide a platform for Deen’s vision of entertainment. The studio is constantly evolving and expanding along with its participants. Deen has created an impressive amount of award-winning content, including the series James Deen’s Sex Tapes, I Came On James Deen’s Face and James Deen’s 7 Sins. Ike DiezelThe majority of his work these days consists of shooting his own content for various websites, including TeemSkeet.com. He also has his own channel on Pornhub Premium for which he casts, performs in and directs the scenes. Manuel FerraraThe five-time AVN Male Performer of the Year winner started his career in France and made his American debut in John Stagliano’s Fashionistas, despite the fact he barely spoke English. As his English skills have improved, so has his talent as not only a performer but also a director. He started calling his own shots as director for Red Light District Video in 2003 and for Evil Angel in 2006. In 2017 he signed an exclusive directing contract with Jules Jordan Video. From left, Jessy Jones, Keiran Lee, Lexington Steele and Mark Wood Jessy JonesOne of the newest shot callers in the industry, he is the latest addition to the Evil Angel roster of director/performers, a prestigious claim to fame in the industry. Keiran LeeThe man with a penis insured for $1 million, Lee is the go-to man for MindGeek and its many brands. Since 2006, Lee—who hails from the U.K.—has worked hard to make a name for himself on both sides of the pond, and is arguably one of the best-known male performers in the world today. His directing career started in 2013, and allowed him to exert even more control over his scenes and the talent he works with. Lexington SteeleSteele has been a shot caller long before it was considered an option for most male performers. He created his own label, Mercenary Pictures, in 2008 and joined the Evil Angel stable of directors in 2013. Most recently, he’s created Lexington Steele Media Group, with sales handled by Exile Distribution. Mark WoodMark Wood’s career spans two decades, and in that time he has helmed projects for a number of studios, including Legend, JM Productions and Red Light District. He and his wife, Francesca Lé, created LeWood Productions, which was first distributed by Exquisite Multimedia and Juicy Entertainment, and is now part of the Evil Angel family.   From left, Ryan Madison, Toni Ribas, Rocco Siffredi (photo by Rick Garcia) and Nacho Vidal Ryan MadisonThroughout his career, Madison has earned AVN Award nominations for his performances and his directing. Under the company Kelly Madison Productions, which he runs with his wife, Ryan in recent years has pushed the envelope in both gonzo and features, adding a darker side to his work. Toni RibasThe Spanish actor has always been in demand as a performer thanks to his sultry good looks and rich accent, but he’s just as beloved by studio heads for his directing skills. In his career, he’s served as the director and talent for Red Light District, Platinum X, Elegant Angel, Evil Angel and Brazzers. Rocco SiffrediOne of the first performers and directors to showcase rough sex, Siffredi started his career in 1987 in Europe. By 2001, legendary director and Evil Angel owner John Stagliano noted, “Rocco has far more power in this industry than any other actress.” Aside from performing and directing, Siffredi has also served as a mentor to a number of other male actors in the business, including Manuel Ferrara and Markus Dupree. Nacho VidalNacho Vidal has been directing as well as performing for most of his two-decade career. He started performing in and directing releases for Odyssey, New Sensations and Sineplex, but by far has been most closely associated with the Evil Angel brand. A passionate sexual athlete who takes his co-stars to the edge and back, he does not shy away when it comes to pushing the envelope as a performer or director.