xbiz world
xbiz premiere
opinion

Broad Mainstream Coverage of Gerard Damiano's Passing

Famed director Gerard Damiano died Saturday after having suffered a stroke last month, and the mainstream press is covering his passing in a big way.

As the director of the 1972 cultural phenomenon "Deep Throat," Damiano deserves the attention. Shot for 25 grand over 6 days, the success of the seminal porn flick is often pointed to as the tipping point moment when adult entertainment became an accepted, if often shunned, member of the artistic community.

Thus far, Google News has identified several hundred news sites around the world that have posted stories about Damiano death at 80, including BBC News, The Associated Press, Time and even The Houston Chronicle's Spanish edition.

It's funny. I remember when "Deep Throat" came out, I think I even went to see it in a theater, which was probably the first and maybe last time I watched porn publicly like that. I remember thinking that the production quality was pretty shitty throughout, but I'll never forget Linda Lovelace's insane deep throating abilities. Even years and thousands of scenes later, that early exposure to such natural talent is still seared into my brain. Something similar happened on a national, maybe international, level.

Thanks for the memories, Gerard. May the angels transport you swiftly and sweetly toward your everlasting bliss.

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

Creator Pricing Strategies to Protect Your Time and Earning Power

Let's talk about something many creators stress over: setting your rates. Tip menus, private shows, goal bars, contests — practically every number you put on the screen says something about the value of your time. Yet too many creators price from a place of fear: “What if no one tips?”

Goddess Eve ·
profile

Hannah Miller on Bringing Colombian Flair to Her California Dream

Hannah Miller has mastered the art of making people look.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Creator Tips for Planning Your Content Calendar With AI

One of the most common complaints I hear from creators is: "I know I need to post more, but I never know what to post."

Megan Stokes ·
opinion

Retailer Tips for Making Trade Show Travel Pay Off

When sales slow, retailers understandably start looking for ways to tighten the budget. Every expense gets another look, and travel and trade show attendance can quickly end up on the list of things to cut.

Rin Musick ·
profile

BranditScan's Aerie Saunders on Fostering Creator Knowledge, Confidence and Community

Aerie Saunders is firmly in her season. When she sits down with XBIZ, a fall-scented WoodWick candle burns in the background, pumpkins decorate her desk and the first signs of spooky season are already on display. Not that Saunders waits until autumn to embrace the macabre.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Why Adaptive Pleasure Belongs Across Every Adult Retail Category

For too long, accessibility in adult retail has been treated as a side conversation. When it appears at all, it is often tucked away in a hard-to-find website category, framed as a special accommodation or treated as a medical add-on rather than a legitimate pleasure category. That approach misses the point.

Hail Groo ·
opinion

What Mastercard's Scam Monitoring Program Means for Adult Merchants

Mastercard's Scam Merchant Monitoring Program (SMMP) has introduced a new, investigation-led framework that works very differently from the ratio-based chargeback programs the industry has relied on for years. It applies to card-not-present merchants globally, and Mastercard's guidance on business models warranting closer attention includes adult content and dating platforms, along with subscription services, digital goods and forex.

Len Garcia ·
opinion

Why Retailers Need a Clearer Conversation About Margins

With rising manufacturing costs and living expenses, manufacturers’ suggested retail price (MSRP) no longer aligns with the actual costs of operating a business. This situation calls for a discussion about the current industry pricing landscape, potential adjustments, and how companies can make an impact.

Mersy Love ·
opinion

Why the Right Merchant Category Code Matters for NSFW AI Businesses

You explained exactly what your NSFW AI business does to your payment processor and they seemed to get it. The underwriting process felt thorough and exhausting, but it was well worth it because you began processing.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA: Perfect Fit Brand's Cee Cee Peters on Building a Lasting Career

For much of her decades-long career in the adult products industry, Cee Cee Peters let her work speak louder than her name. While she built relationships with retailers, became a top salesperson, and watched the business evolve from a movie-dominated marketplace into today’s sexual wellness industry, Peters deliberately kept a relatively low public profile. Raising children during the rise of the internet made that decision especially important to her.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
Show More