1. Overview
Jamie Gillis, born Jamey Ira Gurman (April 20, 1943 - February 19, 2010), was a prolific American pornographic actor and film director. Recognized as a pioneer in the adult film industry, particularly during the Golden Age of Porn and in the development of Gonzo pornography, he appeared in over 470 films as an actor and directed numerous others. His significant contributions were acknowledged through inductions into the AVN Hall of Fame, the XRCO Hall of Fame, and the Legends of Erotica. He was also ranked 12th in AVN's "All-Time Top 50 Porn Stars."
2. Early Life and Background
Jamie Gillis's early life laid the foundation for his eventual entry into the entertainment industry, marked by his academic pursuits and an unconventional path into adult film.
2.1. Birth and Childhood
Gillis was born Jamey Ira Gurman on April 20, 1943, in New York City, New York. He was named after the Tyrone Power character in the 1942 film The Black Swan. He later adopted the surname "Gillis" from a girlfriend he was living with when he began his film career. His ethnicity was Dutch-American.
2.2. Education
Gillis pursued higher education at Columbia University, from which he graduated in 1970, earning his degree magna cum laude.
2.3. Entry into the Industry
Before entering the adult film industry, Gillis supported himself through various jobs, including working as a taxi driver. In 1971, while driving a cab, he responded to an advertisement in The Village Voice seeking nude models. This initial step led to his first appearances in short films, quickly transitioning to feature-length productions and marking the beginning of his extensive career in adult entertainment.
3. Career
Jamie Gillis's career spanned various facets of the film industry, predominantly in adult entertainment, where he was both a prolific performer and an innovative director. He also made notable appearances in mainstream cinema.
3.1. Pornography Career
Gillis's work in pornography was extensive and impactful, defining significant eras and pioneering new genres within the industry. He appeared in more than 470 movies as an actor.
3.1.1. Golden Age of Porn
Gillis established himself as a prominent lead actor during the period often referred to as the "Golden Age of Porn," which roughly spanned from 1972 to 1983, beginning with the influential film Deep Throat. Although perhaps not as widely known to the general public as contemporaries like John Holmes or Ron Jeremy, Gillis was considered one of the most recognized and enduringly influential figures within the pornographic industry. During this era, adult films were typically shot on film, often possessed discernible production value, frequently featured coherent storylines, and sometimes harbored ambitions for broader mainstream acceptance. Gillis played a starring or significant role in almost all major productions of this period.
His notable films from the Golden Age include The Private Afternoons of Pamela Mann, The Opening of Misty Beethoven, The Story of Joanna, Through the Looking Glass, The Ecstasy Girls, Amanda By Night, Dracula Sucks, and Roommates. The Opening of Misty Beethoven (1976) and Barbara Broadcast (1977), both directed by Radley Metzger, were particularly significant. The former is considered by award-winning author Toni Bentley to be the "crown jewel" of the Golden Age of Porn. Gillis also provided valuable commentary on the DVD re-releases of these classic films, offering insights into the era.
3.1.2. Gonzo Pornography and Influential Series
Gillis was a pioneer in the pornographic style known as Gonzo pornography, which emerged as a reaction against the increasingly homogenized productions of major studios. In 1989, he produced the influential On the Prowl series, which is credited with spearheading the Gonzo genre in video pornography. This series featured a professional porn star driving a limousine around Los Angeles, seeking out ordinary men from the general public to engage in sex acts with professional actresses. The concept proved highly popular and later inspired a scene in the mainstream film Boogie Nights, although Gillis himself was reportedly not particularly impressed by the parody.
He also starred in the first Buttman film and co-produced the popular Dirty Debutante series with fellow director and performer Ed Powers, a series that went on to produce hundreds of sequels. Following the shift of mainstream pornography to video after 1983, Gillis continued to appear actively in films, including prominent titles such as the 1985 film New Wave Hookers, where he co-starred with Traci Lords.
3.1.3. Gay Pornography and Specific Genres
Gillis was openly bisexual and appeared in numerous gay porn films throughout his career, including Boynapped (1975) with Wade Nichols, where a double performed anal sex and punched another actor. He also appeared in gay porn films such as The Underboss (1998) and Power Play (1997), some of which did not involve sex acts.
Beyond mainstream adult films, Gillis was frequently featured in fetish-oriented productions, reflecting his diverse sexual interests and preferences. In the 1970s, he was highly active in New York City's sexual subculture, participating in numerous live sex performances. He maintained a long-standing interest in BDSM, specializing in dominant roles. He was known for verbally abusing his on-screen partners and often adopted sadistic personas that sometimes alienated general audiences.
His work extended to niche genres such as spanking films and gay bondage films. He also appeared in controversial films like Walking Toilet Bowl, which focused on coprophilia and featured him engaging in scatological acts with a woman named Carol. While Gillis maintained that his scenes were always consensual, he reportedly demanded highly unhygienic acts during his performances with Carol. In the 1976 film Water Power, he portrayed an "enema rapist," a role that contributed to his reputation for preferring sex acts performed on or around toilets and toilet seats.
3.2. Mainstream Film Appearances
In addition to his extensive work in adult films, Jamie Gillis also made several appearances in mainstream Hollywood productions. In 1981, he had a role in the film Nighthawks, starring Sylvester Stallone, where he was credited as 'Designer' and played the boss of Lindsay Wagner's character. The same year, he appeared as a US Army investigator in the B-movie Hell of the Living Dead. He also made an uncredited cameo appearance as himself in John Frankenheimer's 1986 thriller Dead Heat.
3.3. Directing Career
Beyond his prolific acting career, Jamie Gillis also directed a number of adult films. His directorial credits include:
- Devious Old Gillis (1998)
- Back on the Prowl 2 (1998)
- Back on the Prowl (1998)
- Punished Sex Offenders (1990)
- Takeout Torture (1990)
- On the Prowl (1989)
4. Personal Life
Beyond his professional endeavors, Jamie Gillis's personal life included significant relationships and an open approach to his sexual orientation.
4.1. Sexual Orientation and Relationships
Jamie Gillis was openly bisexual throughout his life and career. He was married to fellow porn actress Serena and was also known for his romantic involvement with porn star Amber Lynn in the mid-1980s. His relationships with both Serena in the late 1970s and Amber Lynn were widely noted within the industry.
5. Awards and Honors
Throughout his distinguished career, Jamie Gillis received numerous awards and accolades, recognizing his significant contributions to the adult film industry.
5.1. Major Industry Awards
Gillis was honored with multiple awards from prominent industry organizations:
- 1976 AFAA Award - Best Actor (The Opening of Misty Beethoven)
- 1977 AFAA Award - Best Actor (A Coming of Angels)
- 1979 AFAA Award - Best Actor (The Ecstasy Girls)
- 1982 AFAA Award - Best Supporting Actor (Roommates)
- 1982 CAFA Award - Best Supporting Actor (Roommates)
- 1984 XRCO Award - Best Kinky Scene (Insatiable II)
- 1985 XRCO Award - Best Kinky Scene (Nasty)
- 1987 XRCO Award - Best Actor (Deep Throat 2)
- 1987 XRCO Award - Best Supporting Actor (Babyface 2)
- 1987 XRCO Award - Best Kinky Scene (Let's Get It On With Amber Lynn)
- 1989 AVN Award - Best Supporting Actor - Film (Pretty Peaches 2)
- 1989 XRCO Award - Best Actor (Second Skin)
- 1997 AVN Award - Best Actor - Film (Bobby Sox)
- 1999 AVN Award - Best Supporting Actor - Video (Forever Night)
5.2. Hall of Fame Inductions
In recognition of his lasting impact and pioneering work, Jamie Gillis was inducted into several prestigious industry halls of fame:
- AVN Hall of Fame
- XRCO Hall of Fame
- Legends of Erotica
6. Filmography
Jamie Gillis had an extensive filmography as both an actor and a director in the adult entertainment industry, alongside his limited mainstream appearances.
6.1. As Actor
Gillis appeared in over 470 films as an actor, showcasing his versatility across various genres within adult entertainment. His notable acting credits include:
- Die You Zombie Bastards! (2005)
- Potty Mouth (2004)
- Luv Generation (2004)
- Sunset Stripped (2002)
- New Wave Hookers 5 (1997)
- Bobby Sox (1996)
- Taboo XI (1993)
- Taboo IX (1991)
- Play My Flute (1991)
- Uncle Jamie's Double Trouble (1991)
- Playin' Dirty (1990)
- Jamie Gillis and Africa (1990)
- Taboo VII (1989)
- Alien Space Avenger (1989)
- Adventures of Buttman (1989)
- Pretty Peaches (1989)
- Head Lock (1989)
- Pretty Peaches 2 (1987)
- Babyface 2 (1986)
- Taboo V (1986)
- Taboo IV (1985)
- Ten Little Maidens (1985)
- Love Mexican Style (1985)
- Too Naughty to Say No (1985)
- New Wave Hookers (1984)
- Trinity Brown (1984)
- A Little Bit of Hanky Panky (1984)
- Corruption (1983)
- Night of the Zombies (1981)
- Roommates (1981)
- Neon Nights (1981)
- Amanda by Night (1981)
- Wanda Whips Wall Street (1981)
- Nighthawks (1981)
- Dracula Exotica (1980)
- The Seduction of Cindy (1980)
- 800 Fantasy Lane (1979)
- The Ecstasy Girls (1979)
- Sensual Fire (1979)
- Heavenly Desire (1979)
- Hot Honey (1978)
- Dracula Sucks (aka Lust At First Bite) (1978)
- A Coming of Angels (1977)
- Barbara Broadcast (1977)
- Lustful Feelings (1977)
- Obsessed (1977)
- Captain Lust and the Pirate Women (1977)
- Through the Looking Glass (1976)
- Winter Heat (1976)
- Water Power (1976)
- The Opening of Misty Beethoven (1976)
- Oriental Blue (1976)
- Saturday Night Special (1976)
- Boy -Napped (1975)
- Sometime Sweet Susan (1975)
- Abigail Lesley is Back in Town(1975)
- The Seduction of Lyn Carter (1974)
- Fantasy Girls (1974)
- Deep Throat Part II (1974)
6.2. As Director
Gillis also directed several adult films, contributing to the creative side of the industry. His directorial works include:
- Devious Old Gillis (1998)
- Back on the Prowl 2 (1998)
- Back on the Prowl (1998)
- Punished Sex Offenders (1990)
- Takeout Torture (1990)
- On the Prowl (1989)
7. Death
Jamie Gillis died on February 19, 2010, in New York City, New York. His cause of death was melanoma, a form of skin cancer, which had been diagnosed approximately four to five months prior to his passing. In an audio interview conducted shortly before his death, Gillis mentioned that in the 1970s, he had expressed a desire for his ashes to be scattered in Times Square. However, he later changed his mind, stating that the "cleaned up Times Square" that emerged in the 1990s would "contaminate" his ashes.
8. Legacy and Evaluation
Jamie Gillis is widely regarded as a pioneering and highly respected figure in the adult film industry. His career, spanning from the "Golden Age of Porn" into the video era, established him as a significant and enduring influence. He is often considered an elder statesman within the adult film community, revered by many younger colleagues for his groundbreaking contributions and fearless on-screen performances.
His role in developing Gonzo pornography significantly altered the landscape of adult film production, moving towards a more raw and unscripted style. Gillis's willingness to engage in diverse and often controversial genres, including BDSM and fetishism, showcased his commitment to exploring the boundaries of adult entertainment. His commentary on the DVD re-releases of classic films also provided valuable historical insights into the early days of the industry. His impact is further underscored by his induction into multiple industry halls of fame and his ranking as 12th in AVN's "All-Time Top 50 Porn Stars." The book Verdens 25 hotteste pornostjerner (1999) by Nicolas Barbano includes a dedicated chapter on his career.
