LOS ANGELES — Jon Berg, a beloved member of the online adult industry, passed away on Monday following an eight-year battle with multiple myeloma. He was 54 and had recently entered hospice care after undergoing BiTE therapy.
Berg's work within the adult industry dates back to the early 1990s when he co-founded Matrix Content with Norman Bentley. He then spent two years as vice president of internet operations at Red Light District Films, serving as its top tech executive and helping the company lead the charge into the online industry.
Following an amicable split from RLD, Berg joined adult video-on-demand provider XonDemand as its vice president of marketing. At the time, the company had a significant presence in the adult space, offering content from more than 800 studios.
More recently, Berg launched the content licensing company Premium Content Store, which helped creators cater to high-end clientele.
Berg was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, and though he was given just three years to live, he fought and beat the odds, surviving for nearly a decade.
Mckenzie Edwards, a friend of the Berg family, has organized a GoFundMe campaign on their behalf. She described Jon as "a cornerstone of the West Hills community for many years, coaching youth baseball and softball, and becoming a trusted mentor and friend to countless families."
Edwards also praised Berg for his "infectious kindness."
"Jon had a unique ability to bring people together and support those in need," she said. "He was always there for others — whether on the field, in the neighborhood or in times of personal hardship. His legacy of selflessness and generosity has left an indelible mark on everyone he met."
Another of Berg's friends, Kevin Blatt, paid tribute to him on social media.
"Jon lived his life never looking back," he wrote on Facebook.
Reached by phone, Blatt told XBIZ that Berg was "a great friend for many, many years."
"I've known him a long time, and he was really big in the content biz with Matrix," Blatt shared. "Most people in the industry knew him from that. It was his crowning achievement — starting a content company back before the biz went legit and became as big and profitable as it is now. He was a great guy and a great friend, and he really fought this cancer hard for eight years. He'll be very missed."
Berg eventually left the adult industry, though he maintained close friendships with those in it. He is survived by his wife and two children, as well as his brother and mother.
Click here to donate to Berg's family during this difficult time.