MARINA DEL REY, Calif. — Veteran online adult marketer Chris Lebrun, after battling pneumonia and on life support in recent days, has passed away.
Lebrun was a solid business-development specialist, always seen at adult industry conventions with his big, bright smile and keen wit.
The Los Angeles native led sales for TrafficShop for five years, and had biz-dev positions at Etology, Adamo Ads, AVN and ICM Registry.
Several years ago, Lebrun even launched a new boutique event and marketing agency called Three Point Ohh!, which specialized in event planning, search-engine optimization, traffic generation and media buying.
In the past year, Lebrun moved away from the adult biz to focus on the budding industry of marijuana media with Cannabis Now.
Industry vet Gunner delivered the news today on XBIZ.net: “Chris passed away for those of you who may not have heard the news. He had been fighting for his life after battling pneumonia and was on life support. I'm told his kidneys quit and he passed around 2 a.m. last night.”
“So many of us know him from well over a decade of adult conventions ... just an all-around great guy, husband and father. He will be truly missed,” Gunner said.
“I don't have any info about funeral arrangements just yet, but certainly will update as that becomes available.”
Lebrun is survived by his wife Bee and son Luca.
An outpouring of sympathy for the well-known industry figure already is gaining speed on social media.
"I have known Chris for so many years and he was so fun, had a crazy sense of humor and was always the loudest in the room," NETbilling's Mitch Farber said on Facebook. "He will be terribly missed. Rest in peace, Chris. We love you and will miss you terribly."
NakedSword's Tim Valenti said on Facebook: "Upset about my friend Chris Lebrun. He was a great human. Embraced me in a world I knew little and helped me, helped NakedSword. Such a wonderful sweet and funny man who actually really cared how he could help."
"The adult industry is made up of a small bunch of people who have become our outside family members. Today we learned of the passing of one the family members passing," Hustler's Holly Ruprecht said on Twitter. "RIP ChrisLebrun, you were far to young and you will be missed. I wish your family peace and healing love."
Payze’s Evil Chris said on XBIZ.net: “Extremely sad. Just a great guy that I knew for over a decade.”
"Today we lost a member of our community, Chris Lebrun. He passed away due to complications from pneumonia. Chris was a wonderful person and a good friend to many in the industry. He will be greatly missed," said Lauren MacEwen on Facebook.
“So terrible to hear,” Michael Sperber said on Facebook. “I've known and liked Chris for so many years. I'm so sorry for the loss his family is enduring.”
“This hits like a brick!” Bruce from AdultSiteBroker said on XBIZ.net. “A wonderful guy. He will most certainly be sorely missed.”
Rhonda on XBIZ.net said: "Rest in peace, Chris. It's a sad day in our industry."
"His presence will be missed at the shows and my heart goes out to his young son," said Steven Grooby of Grooby Productions said on XBIZ.net.
Kevin Blatt on Facebook said: "Sad to hear of the passing of Chris LeBrun. I hope he is finally at peace."
"Chris, RIP, old friend," Jason Tucker said on Facebook. "My heart goes out to your family. I can only hope that you found inner peace and that the joy you brought into the world will be carried by many."
Dirty D said on XBIZ.net: "Shocked and sad. RIP, my friend. We had many good times at shows for over a decade."
"So sorry to hear this news. What a shock," Karen Campbell said on XBIZ.net.
Vinny Lipari on Facebook said: "I always enjoyed [his] conversations over cocktails or our banter on the poker table. [He] had such a great personality and always has something funny to say. Sending love, thoughts and prayers to all of [his] family and friends."
"RIP my friend. So sad for his wife and young son," Wizzo of JuicyAds said on XBIZ.net.
Dave Dixon said on Twitter: "There is another side to this industry, where countless people are working behind the scenes to keep our sites running and the traffic coming in. Let’s take a moment to honor one of our fallen colleagues. Father, friend and industry veteran Chris Lebrun."
"So sad for his family and close friends, so sad," said Kenny B of YourPaysitePartner on XBIZ.net.
Vegas Ken said on XBIZ.net: "So so sad! Way too soon. The world will miss your big smile and huge laugh."
Jo Jordan said on Facebook: "He was an enthusiastic personality who was always kind, warm and welcoming and was one of the first people I'd met in the industry. His smile was infectious, his humor often obscene and his energy unreal."
"If there is anything to learn from his passing, it is that life, no matter how difficult or amazing it may seem at times, is short and we must grasp every experience we can and make the most of it," she said.
