Al Parker

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For other people named Al Parker, see Al Parker (disambiguation).

Al Parker (born Andrew "Drew" Okun; June 25, 1952 – August 17, 1992) was a gay American porn star, producer, and director. He died from complications of AIDS at the age of 40.[1]

Early career

Parker was born in Natick, Massachusetts. After arriving in California, he was employed by Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion West as a butler.[2] His career in gay film started when he was "discovered" by Rip Colt, founder of Colt Studios. It was Colt who gave him the name "Al Parker."[3]

Parker began his filmmaking career when he was signed by Brentwood Studios. He made 12–15 minute loop films shot on 8 mm film reels.[4]

Surge Studios

Parker was a producer, director, and actor. Surge Studios started making larger budget "theme" features and not just the "film loops". Many of the films were shot out of Parker's home in Hermosa Beach, California.[citation needed] Surge Studios was one of the first studios to mandate safe sex practices when AIDS appeared.[citation needed]

Personal life

As a teenager, Parker's mother encouraged him to attend the Woodstock Music Festival, believing that it was a classical music festival. After he was forced to abandon his mother's new car in the mud along the road leading to the festival, he encountered what he regarded as his first wholly satisfying sexual experience.[5] After he arrived at the festival his picture was taken and appears on the poster collage for the Woodstock concert film released in 1970.[6]

Parker was one of the interview subjects of Dr. Dean Edell, who reported a surgical procedure that sought to restore Parker's foreskin from his at-birth circumcision.[7] The surgery was performed by Dr. Ira Sharlip, a urologist. The report was broadcast on television, although Edell is known primarily for his radio show, from which he also lent his voice to question infant circumcision.[8]

Death

Parker died in San Francisco. His remains were cremated and a memorial service was held at his private residence. His ashes were scattered in the ocean near the nude section of San Gregorio State Beach,[9] San Mateo County, California.

Legacy

Parker is the subject of Roger Edmonson's biography Clone: The Life and Legacy of Al Parker Gay Superstar.[5]

His life is depicted in playwright Drew Sachs' play, aka Al Parker.[citation needed] [10][11]

Selected videography

  • The Best of Al Parker (2008)
  • Overload (1992)
  • The Best of Colt Films: Part 10 (1991)
  • Better than Ever (1989)
  • Best of Brentwood 1 (1987)
  • Turbo Charge (1987)
  • The Best of Colt: Part 4 (1986)
  • Oversize Load (1986)
  • High Tech (1986)
  • Daddies Plaything (1985)
  • Century Mining (1985)
  • Hard Disk Drive (1985)
  • Outrage (1984), aka Christopher Rage's Outrage (US)
  • Headtrips (1984)
  • One in a Billion (1984)
  • Rangers (1984)
  • Strange Places, Strange Things (1984)
  • Therapy (1983)
  • Weekend Lockup (1983)
  • Dangerous (1983)
  • A Few Good Men (1983)
  • Games (1983)
  • The Other Side of Aspen (1983)
  • Turned On (1982)
  • Flashbacks, aka Al Parker's Flashback (1981)
  • Wanted (1980)
  • Inches (1979)
  • Best of Buckshot (Compilations) Chute, Timberwolves
  • Heavy Equipment (1977) – shot in 3D

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ Edmonson 2000, p. 205
  2. ^ Edmonson 2000, p. 34
  3. ^ Edmonson 2000, p. XVII
  4. ^ Edmonson 2000, p. 83
  5. ^ a b Edmonson 2000
  6. ^ Edmonson 2000, p. 23
  7. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwkXCV4Vyw4
  8. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ig0U08BFcU
  9. ^ http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=17682027
  10. ^ https://sites.google.com/site/villageplaywrights/home/archive-of-readings
  11. ^ http://www.backstage.com/casting/aka-al-parker-69435/al-parker-269216/
Bibliography
  • Edmonson, Roger (2000). Clone: The Life and Legacy of Al Parker Gay Superstar. Alyson Books. ISBN 1555835295. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)

External links

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