The world of gay porn continues to suffer losses. In the wake of Blue Blake's death at 52, it has recently been disclosed that legendary director (and former actor) Gino Colbert died of a heart attack at 58 back in August. (Why is this only coming out now?)
Colbert made many memorable films (including some with gay, bi and trans themes), and was well-liked in the industry.

Also I just noticed that colorful porn agent David Forest, who represented some of the biggest names in the biz in a way that alienated many and that landed him a stint in prison, died that same month. Here is his obit.

Forest's first career was in music, a field in which he worked for David Geffen and built a name handling the likes of Carole King, Aerosmith and countless other marquee artists.

Forest was just 66, and died as the result of side effects from diabetes.

Although I worked in porn for years, I never encountered Forest until this past summer, when he approached me to interview his client Mark Dalton, a controversial gay-for-pay figure in porn who, like Forest, had done prison time. I found Dalton to be very charming in person, and my interview received tens of thousands of views, which made Forest ecstatic. He raved about how successful it had been, talking a blue streak to me on the phone.

On July 26, he sent his final e-newsletter update, which read, in part:

I’m home from the hospital (Valley Presbyterian). I broke my leg (the smaller of the 2 leg bones … the one that runs across the ankle) … on Sun., July 5. I fell, while standing in the kitchen, due to “sleep apnea” … and I’m already walking pretty well with a “walker.” Then, the next day, I had a massive heart attack (Monday, July 6). I was rushed by ambulance to Valley Presbyterian Hospital, 2 blocks from my home where my Dr., Michael Politsky, does everything … with offices “on the grounds”. He’s an internal medicine doctor AND specializes in Endocrinology (Diabetes … yes, I’ve been diabetic for nearly 20 years … just adds more complications for any hospital stay). The podiatrist I had previously seen (Dr. Eric Espensen) for my venus stasis problems (sores on the legs from diabetes) is on the staff at Valley Presbyterian and he quickly made me a “bootie” (oversized boot for walking),

After 5 days in the ICU (intensive care unit) of Valley Presbyterian Hospital … a fabulous heart specialist, Dr. James Higgins, performed an angiogram … and three “stents” were put into the arteries of my heart. Hopefully, that’s it for the heart attack portion of my crisis. At least they didn’t find that open heart surgery was necessary. I remained in the ICU another few days … then, for my final 4 days, I was switched to the “Acute Rehab Center” (part of Valley Pres) to begin rehab for going home.

I was discharged on Tuesday, July 21, and other than moving around sort of “slowly” (with a “walker”) … and having hundreds of emails to respond to … I’m feeling good. I have a special CPAP machine, now, to use at night for oxygen while I sleep. I doubt I’ll be having any further sleep apnea problems.

Thank God for Medicare and MediCal. My `15 day” hospital ordeal, including ambulance, the Angiogram/Stents and all nursing, medicines, etc. will probably total about $150,000 (all of which will be covered).

While I was just beginning my hospital ordeal, I had a request from Gold Coast Club in Detroit (oldest stripper bar there … maybe the oldest in the USA) to help them with their 40th Anniversary Weekend, August 7-9. Never one for letting a club down that needs the DAVID FOREST “touch” for a big event …. I was able to put together a 40th Anniversary Tribute Performance by “The King – ZEB ATLAS” on Sat., Aug. 8 for Gold Coast. Not an easy booking to work on while in the hospital.

Thanks to their fabulous GM, Claudia and my great client and pal, ZEB ATLAS, who worked with me (amidst my hospital problems) to get the show set up. It’s all set now(Zeb flies into Detroit on Sat., Aug 8 from Las Vegas). Hope some of you can attend. AND, for the future (since gay bar anniversaries are always treated like “big deals”) … ZEB ATLAS is certainly “THE” gay adult star to feature at any major event. Expensive …. YES … but that’s the nature of MY stars. You get what you pay for … right? Other PREMIERE ARTISTS that are perfect for HUGE events:

RYAN ROSE
TOPHER DiMAGGIO
TRENTON DUCATI
ADAM KILLIAN
MARK DALTON
ANDREW STARK
BRITTANY COXXX (hostess)
CHRISTIAN POWER (Canada Only)
CHI CHI LaRUE (on hiatus)

And

RICKY DECKER
TY RODERICK
DUNCAN BLACK

Too bad I can’t get CHRISTIAN POWER into the U.S. (from Montreal) to do some scenes and LIVE appearances. Big, muscular, masculine boys that love getting plowed are few and far between. We tried to get him in a few months ago … and it didn’t fly (no pun intended). He’s great on stage.

Unfortunately, I missed the L.A. Debut of “Seed Money – The Chuck Holmes Story.” It was on July 13, and I was in the hospital. I did communicate with producer/director/writer – Michael Stabile … so he was well aware. I have three (3) speaking parts in the documentary.

Hope everyone is doing well.