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Paul Barresi | |
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| Born | 1949 (age 75–76) Lynn, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, model, director, Hollywood Fixer, author |
| Years active | 1970s – present |
| Military career | |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1968–1972 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
Paul Barresi (born 1949) is an American formerpornographic actor, former pornographic film director, and media personality.
Born inLynn, Massachusetts, when Barresi was 12 his family moved toAnnapolis, Maryland, for his father's job at theUnited States Naval Academy. Barresi was offered a wrestling scholarship to the University of Maryland but opted to instead enlist in the United States Air Force during the height of the Vietnam War. Barresi served at bases in the United States and thePhilippines, and he was honorably discharged as asergeant in 1971 after completing his tour atMarch Air Force Base.[1] Upon returning to civilian life, he soon began working as afitness trainer at a gym in nearbyRiverside, California.[1][dubious –discuss]
In March 1974, Barresi was featured inPlaygirl magazine withCassandra Peterson.[2] The following year he was selected byRip Colt as an early Colt model and featured on the cover of the November 1975 ofMandate.[3] In December 1978, Barresi was the first man ever to appear on the cover ofHustler.[4] The print modeling led to dozens of offers to star in adult film. Barresi's natural muscular build and unique persona on film made him into one the highest paid and most sought after adult film icons of the '70s, starring in adult film classics includingCo-ed Fever,Bad Girls II,All American Girls II andSecret of Stage Five.
Barresi wrote, produced and directed adult films. In 1992 Barresi, using the name "Joe Hammer", won the Gay Video Guide Award in the Best Specialty Release category for the fetish videoRazor Close.[5] Barresi earned a 2003GayVN Awards nomination for "Best Non-Sex Performance — Gay or Bi" forLong Strokes.[6][7] Barresi also won the 2007 GayVN award and a 2007Grabby Award for "Best Non-Sex Performance" for his work inVelvet Mafia (parts 1 and 2).[8][9] And in 2008, Barresi was inducted into the GayVN Hall of Fame.[10] Barresi was particularly noted for his military themes;Adult Video News has said Barresi's directorial efforts make him "undisputedly the king of military-themed videos."[11]
Barresi toured in a 1980summer stock suite of scenes fromNeil Simon plays, headlined byPaul Lynde.[12] He had several roles in mainstream film and television projects, includingPerfect,Spontaneous Combustion,[13]JAG[citation needed] andFather Dowling Mysteries.[14] Barresi toldEntertainment Tonight of the difficulty crossing over into mainstream film: "No one really takes a porn actor seriously ... and no one really respects a porn actor."[15]
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