Oct 20, 2014 6:15 AM PDT    Text size: 

LOS ANGELES — Veteran producer/director Ted Gorley, whose credits included more than a dozen editions of the classic “Swedish Erotica” series for Caballero Home Video, has passed away.

Gorley, whose legal name was Illo Appleby, had been ill for about a month and died during surgery, according to his friend and fellow producer, Sandy Bunz, who was informed of the sad news Wednesday evening. He was in his mid-80s, Bunz said.

Appleby was the owner of a beauty salon in Beverly Hills, Calif., before he entered the adult industry as a producer and director of 8mm loops. He and Noel Bloom created Caballero Control Corporation, which was a major production house for adult features in the 1970's and 80's.  

“He directed John Holmes in several loops and feature films and told me various stories about his directing days,” Bunz said. “A salesman of mine, Howard Specht, introduced me to Illo in 2002. I was very fond of Illo as we collaborated on at least 300 titles for my video production studios of Flashpoint and Felony between 2002 and 2008.

“His editing skills and expertise were second to none and a huge asset for my business. Often times we would meet for breakfast at a coffee shop on Topanga Canyon Road or lunch at Brent's or the Country Deli, to enjoy our meals. As a new producer in the industry I was all ears to the vast knowledge and experience of Illo, 30 years my senior.”

Appleby’s porn projects also included “Sorority Sweethearts” (1983), “Getting Lucky” (1983), “Let’s Talk Sex” (1984), “Erotic Zone” (1985), Sex Aliens (1986), Thanks for the Mammories (1987), “Broadway Fanny Rose” (1987) and “The Adventures of Mikki Finn” (1992).

In addition, he had cinematographer credits for ‘Necromania’: A Tale of Weird Love!” (1971) and  “The Only House in Town” (1970) as George Van Sol.

Appleby graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School and had been in the Air Force during the Korean War. He also earned a degree from California Institute of the Arts and was at one time in the jewelry and liquor business in Oceanside, Calif.