John Leslie – Inducted – Late 90’s
This week we put the ladies aside. Instead we take a look back at the life and career of John Leslie, a true icon and legend in the adult industry. John Leslie Nuzzo was born on January 25, 1945 in East Liverpool, Ohio. John grew up in an Italian-American family mainly in the Midland area of Beaver County in Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school John worked at a local steel plant before he headed to New York. In the Big Apple he was attending the prestigious Art Student League of New York. Once he finished his art school studies another of his talents came into play. He was a gifted harmonica player and singer and joined the Brooklyn Blues Busters.
After a time with the band he moved out to Mill Valley, California and that was when, in the mid 70’s he got in to the adult film industry. This move would be the beginning of a career that would last almost thirty years. With his Italian good looks, a smooth demeanor and very convincing and natural way with people, John was an instant hit with directors, co stars and the fans, His film roles from the early days would bring about a number of them becoming classics.
One the most important things about John as a performer was the fact that he was blessed with fantastic acting chops. He was a natural in any kind of role and has long been considered one the very best actors to ever appear in an adult film. Check him out in classics like Ecstasy Girls, Lust at First Bite, Dixie Ray Hollywood Star for example and you will see the consummate actor bringing a stark reality to the character he is portraying.
In those early days John had the pleasure of working with some of porn’s greats like Seka, Kay Parker, Annette Haven, Lisa de Leeuw, Judith Anderson, John Holmes and Jamie Gillis with whom he became the very best of friends for life. Almost from the start John would go on to garner a number of Best Actor awards from the various organizations like AFAA, XRCO and AVN. Classic films like Firestorm, Talk Dirty to Me, Dixie Ray, 7 into Snowy are but a few that Leslie starred in. But the acting and performing were only a part of the John Leslie story.
John had it all going for him as a performer, but there was even more on the horizon. He met his future wife Kathleen in 1980, they married in 1987 and it was at that time John decided to retire from performing and went into the directing side of adult. He created the “Voyeur” series, the “Dog Walker” series and had a directing style that was simply his very own. Aside from the good actor and performer he was, John Leslie was also became one of the top directors in porn as the accolades and directing awards (Catwoman, Dog Walker, The Lecher, etc.) came his way. In addition to his directing and leading a happy, balanced married life, his love of music never diminished. He would continue to play and sing from time to time at some festivals and places like the House of Blues. He was much, much more than an adult performer and one of the most beloved gentlemen in the industry.
He is a member of both the AVN and XRCO Hall of Fame, winner of more than thirty awards for performing, directing and screenwriting. He is also one of several former porn stars featured in the 2012 documentary After Porn Ends, which was about life after being a porn actor. On December 5, 2010, at the age of 65, Mr. Leslie passed away from a heart attack at his home in Mill Valley, California. Aside from being a legend, icon, loving husband and creative force in adult films he was, more importantly, one of the truly good guys in the industry. He left us too soon, but his accomplishments and legacy in the industry will always remain at the very top. So now, enjoy one of porn’s very best stars and check out some of his award winning and extraordinary work. John Leslie was truly one of a kind.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
