Online Industry Entrepreneur Don Osterholt Dies at 51

Online Industry Entrepreneur Don Osterholt Dies at 51

MIAMI — Online industry entrepreneur Don Osterholt, who began his adult entertainment career after founding Atlas Multimedia in 1996, has died.

The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department told XBIZ that Osterholt died on Oct. 29, at the age of 51. The office had not yet determined his cause of death. 

Atlas Multimedia launched the official websites of more than 100 adult film performers, starting with Nici Sterling in early 1997.

As the industry quickly expanded in the 16 years that followed, Osterholt's company built sites for adult film actresses like Sativa Rose, Monica Sweetheart, Hillary Scott, Angel Dark, Vanessa Lane, Stormy Daniels and Tabitha Stevens, who became his wife after she divorced Kenny Gallo in 1997. Osterholt and Stevens then divorced in 1999.

Atlas Multimedia ran the websites of Seymore Butts and Red Light District Video, among others. It also developed sites for transsexual performers Gia Darling and Alannah Starr.

Osterholt went on to create PornStarDollars, an affiliate program that allowed webmasters to promote their favorite performers. 

He further diversified with the creation of Atlas Home Movies, producing “The Sexual Adventures of Melanie Stone” original series, which was distributed by Seymore Butts Video.

Osterholt eventually expanded his reach to work with the likes of Anabolic, Diabolic, Zero Tolerance, Third Degree and Black Ice.

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 News

WebGroup Czech Republic Settles Florida AV Suit, Will Pay $1.2 Million

WebGroup Czech Republic (WGCZ), the parent company of XVideos, XNXX, BangBros and GirlsGoneWild, has settled a lawsuit filed by the state of Florida over those sites’ alleged failure to age-verify Florida users before allowing access to adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for March, April

AEBN has published the top search terms for March and April from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Ofcom Investigates Two Sites Over Possible AV Violations

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Wednesday launched investigations into two adult sites as part of its age assurance enforcement program under the Online Safety Act (OSA).

Brazzers Launches Model Management Division 'Brazzers Creator'

Brazzers has launched its new full-service model management division, Brazzers Creator, offering content management services across multiple platforms.

FTC Promises 'Vigorous' TAKE IT DOWN Act Enforcement

The Federal Trade Commission is warning platforms that the agency will strongly enforce the notice-and-removal requirements of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which go into effect next week on May 19.

STD Hero Joins Pineapple Support as Sponsor

Better Life Science brand STD Hero has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

2026 XBIZ Miami Speaker, Open-Floor Conversation Guide Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Miami, the latest edition of the adult industry’s premier summer conference, set to take place May 11-14 at the Goodtime Hotel in Miami Beach.

2026 XBIZ Miami Conference Schedule Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full show schedule for XBIZ Miami, set to take place May 11-14 at the Goodtime Hotel in South Beach.

UPDATED: Utah VPN Rule Enforcement Paused in Aylo Lawsuit

Provisions of a new Utah law making adult websites liable if minors in the state circumvent geolocation efforts to bypass age verification, which were set to come into force on Wednesday, have been put on hold until Sept. 3 in the case of Aylo, which filed suit in the matter.

JustFor.fans Launches 'JFF Create' iPhone App

JustFor.fans (JFF) has launched its new iPhone creator management app, JFF Create.

Show More