Remembering Prolific Pornographer Robert Prion

I once heard Robert Prion described as “The Ed Wood of gay porn.” It makes a great punchline, but it’s not quite true. Prion was 69 years old when he passed away on March 28th at his home in Woodbridge, New Jersey. It’s a house that porn fans are well acquainted with, as he filmed over 70 full-length adult films there over the past 40 years.

Prion is survived by his lifelong partner, who appeared in his films under the name Jay Richards.

Robert Prion was born on July 1, 1952 and lived in Woodbridge his entire life. A 1970 graduate of Woodbridge High School, Mr. Prion was employed for many years in the meat department (how fitting!) at Foodtown.

In 1982 Prion released The Boys From New Jersey, the first of 12 films produced throughout the decade. The spirited performances of his skinny and hung cast shone through the muddy fidelity of the VHS home video recording. The films were also elevated by their kickass soundtracks featuring the songs of Depeche Mode, Erasure, New Order and other new wave hits of the day – copyrights be damned. There was plenty of spandex, stone washed high-rise jeans, crop-tops and mullets. Lots and lots of mullets. These movies act as a time capsule of 1980’s mall culture – you can almost smell the Drakkar Noir when you watch them.

Prion shot scenes in every room of his house, from the low-ceilinged basement to the vaulted attic. Additionally, he filmed in another structure on the property that appeared to be either an elaborate children’s playhouse or a bungalow for little people. Coupled with low camera angles, his performers always seemed to be in danger of hitting their heads in the claustrophobic spaces.

And yes, there was the pool area – a New Jersey approximation of the traditional California porn set, although the sun never seemed to shine on Prion’s pool and the tiki cabana appeared to be a season away from collapse.

Prion was aware of his place in the porn world: his studio was called New Jersey Trash.

His motto seemed to be “more is more.” Rather than the traditional porn layout of 4 or 5 sex scenes per feature-length film, Prion would cram in 7 to 9 – often starting off with a quick group oral scene before the end of the opening credits.

Bijou Video Catalogue Ads for Suckulent and Men Who Dare (1987)

Whether or not his performers identified as straight, they put that aside when the cameras were rolling and gave performances that (for the most part) were far above average. It is the quality (and quantity) of these scenes that kept fans coming back for more, despite low production values and questionable design tastes. Many of the models appeared in over a dozen Prion films, indicating that they were treated favorably and/or well compensated.

Prion retired from performing in front of the camera by the mid-1990’s, but his partner Jay Richards continued delivering versatile, if perfunctory, performances in all 70+ Prion films.

In January 1995, Prion formed his own production company, Galaxy Pictures. His first film for the new company was Men Matter Most. With the advent of DVDs, Prion repackaged and re-released his earlier films. With those and subsequent releases, he would take advantage of the “multiple angles” DVD feature to include whole other bonus sex scenes. Unfortunately, these “easter eggs” are now inaccessible with today’s DVD viewing practices.

His biggest discovery was Rick Thomas, whose real-life older brother Dane also appeared in a handful of Prion films. They were among his stable of stars who always brought their “A” game, including Eric Carter, Vincent DeMarco, Bryon Rogers, Antonio Vegas, Jon Dante, Alex Turner, Wicked, Cody Marshall, Titan, and Chris Collins, aka “The Mystery Stud” who appeared in over a dozen films and never took off his sunglasses.

Prion benefited from his close proximity to New York City. Big name adult film stars making personal appearances in the city could hop on New Jersey Transit and earn some extra cash for a day’s work. Some porn stars who ducked through the low Prion doors: Jon King, Joey Stefano, Karl Thomas, Marc Andrews, Terry DeCarlo, Eric Stone, Todd Stevens, Rick Pantera, David Grant, Storm, David Thompson, Kevin Alexander, Jason Nikas, Scott Matthews, Ryan Raz, Scott Spears, Brandon Aquilar, Tommy DeLuca, Chris Stone, Kurt Morgan and Aaron Lawrence.

Terry DeCarlo on the old Christopher Street Pier in Put It Where It Counts (1993)

Prion’s dizzying output of films began to slow after 25 years although he continued to repackage and re-release older titles in online platforms, where many are still available for viewing. His last movie was released in 2014. See below for a list of all his films.

Robert Prion Films (including compilations):

1. The Boys of New Jersey: 1982
2. Friends Are Best: 1983
3. Men Grip Tighter: 1983
4. Cum and Get It: 1984
5. Boys Do It Better: 1984
6. Guy’s Just Can’t Stop: 1985
7. The Young Stimulators: 1985
8. The Wild Guys: 1986
9. Men Who Dare: 1987
10. Suckulent: 1987
11. Addicked: 1988
12. Raw Impulse: 1989
13. Ultimate Desires: 1989
14. Powerdrive 500: 1990
15. X-Posed Images-The Naked Truth: 1990

16. Untamed Seductions: 1991
17. Uncensored: 1991
18. Hidden Instincts: 1992
19. Total Impact: 1992
20. 19 Good Men: 1993
21. It’s Raining Dicks: 1993
22. Solid Intake: 1993
23. Uncle Prion & His Young Men: The Best Of Robert Prion: 1993
24. Up Close & Sexual: The Best Of Robert Prion 2: 1993
25. What A Man’s Gotta Do: 1994
26. Put It Where It Counts: 1994
27. Men Matter Most: 1995
28. Pushing The Limit: 1995
29. Power Grip: 1995
30. Everything A Man Wants: 1995

31. Point Of Entry: 1996
32. Natural Response: 1996
33. Whatever It Takes: 1996
34. Unexpected Persuasion: 1996
35. Drive Shaft: 1997
36. Every Man’s Desire: 1997
37. Can’t Say No: 1997
38. Nothing Else Matters:1997
39. Don’t Hold Back:1997
40. Pushover: 1997
41. Stop At Nothing: 1998
42. You’ve Got The Touch: 1998
43. Make It Count: 1998
44. Relentless: 1998
45. One Way Or Another: 1998

46. Shameless: 1999
47. Any Way I Can: 1999
48. Let’s See What Happens: 1999
49. Aim To Please: 1999
50. What Guys Want: 1999
51. Best of Robert Prion 1 – Give and Take: 2000
52. Best of Robert Prion 2 – Outdoor Seductions: 2000
53. Best of Robert Prion 3 – Three In The Sack: 2000
54. Best of Robert Prion 4 – Mix and Match: 2000
55. Best of Robert Prion 5 – Video Virgins: 2000
56. Best of Robert Prion 6 – Superstars: 2000
57. Going Too Far: 2000
58. Every Inch Of Him: 2000
59. If You Dare: 2000
60. So That’s How You Want It: 2000

61. One Step Further: 2000
62. Don’t Stop There: 2001
63. Qualified To Satisfy: 2001
64. I Want More: 2001
65. Never Stop The Urge: 2001
66. I’m Your Guy: 2001
67. Over The Edge: 2002
68. Take It All: 2002
69. Natural Impulse:2003
70. Doin’ The Nasty: 2003

71. Return The Favor: 2003
72. Teasin’ N’ Pleasin’: 2004
73. From Every Direction:2004
74. Access All Areas: 2005
75. Standing Firm: 2006
76. All Men Should: 2006
77. Back Door Advances: 2007
78. Prion’s 69 More To Cum aka That Sucks: 2007
79. Can I See It?: 2008
80. It’s Only Natural… Daddy: 2014

We extend our condolences to Jay Richards and the friends and family of Robert Prion.

See also:
Gay Porn Stars We Lost In 2022
Gay Porn Stars We Lost in 2021
Gay Porn Stars We Lost in 2020
Alexis Arquette’s Lost Porn Flick
RIP Porn Star Turned Activist Terry DeCarlo
Costello Presley and 80’s Gay Porn Guilty Pleasures