Colleagues Remember Howard Levine

CHATSWORTH, Calif.—As news spread this morning of beloved industry stalwart Howard Levine's passing late Wednesday after his long battle with cancer, a number of those who worked mostly closely with him over his 30-plus-year career shared their thoughts and memories of him with AVN. Their comments follow. David Peskin, Bizarre Video/Joy Media Group Sales Manager "I had the honor of working with Howard side by side for nine years selling Vivid together. We were friends for many years before that, and had stayed close since. He was my mentor in business, he was like a second father. But most of all he was a dearest friend. When it came to selling, he was Howard 'The Machine' Levine. At the same time, Howard was the epitome of selfless. Always there for anyone who needed him. And there was so many of us. He had a heart of gold. He is in a better place now. Yet he will always remain in my heart. In all of our hearts." Jerry, Exquisite Multimedia Owner "Howard was a great guy and a real character. He along with Marty Turkel and Ed Kail were the true driving force and pioneers behind our industry—our real original industry, not the tube site trash version we’re in now. He will be truly missed and I know I’m going to miss him talking shit and making me crack up at the office. My heart goes out to his family!" Jodi and Jay West, Forbidden Fruits Films Co-Owners "One of my favorite memories of Howard is when he sent out our first couple of movies to a few stores to lake a look at and called us two weeks later and said, 'Son of a bitch, we’ve got something I haven’t seen in awhile: reorders. I’m going to need you to get me everything you have, but first things first—who does your covers, because they suck.'  "'Um, we do.'