LOS ANGELES — Producer, director and reality TV personality Cousin Stevie has passed away at the age of 82.
Stevie, who got his name and his start in the business by working with his cousin, producer and director Seymore Butts, rose to prominence as a co-star on the Showtime reality show "Family Business." Stevie proved an integral part of the show, which chronicled Butts' life inside and outside the industry.
"He was one of these guys that just had a personality that was bigger than life," said industry veteran and celebrity fixer Kevin Blatt. "He was funny. He was hilarious. He was like your dirty uncle! I met him in line at the Venetian, and he put in a word for me at a company he was working for, and the next thing I knew, I was hired by this company. I don't know if I would be where I am today because the first nest egg that I ever made, commission-wise, was from that job."
Stevie was also well known for his series "Cousin Stevie's Pussy Party," of which he made two dozen volumes.
"This news about Stevie definitely hits hard," said Exxxotica Director of Operations Dan Davis. "Stevie was always one of the first to greet you with a smile and hug. We met through his publicist at the time, April, and instantly became friends. We shared that East Coast, no-B.S. vibe, and I always appreciated his candor, stories and talks.
"While I was an editor for Genesis and Club magazines, he always welcomed us on set or gave us access to whatever he was working on," Davis added. "At industry things like EXXXOTICA or Nightmoves or other events, it was always great to pick up right where we left off."
Added producer/director Will Ryder: "Cousin Stevie always had a smile on his face and a fun little side story to share. He certainly had his big moments in the spotlight with their Showtime TV series and was a real character. Life needs more memorable characters, and he was one for sure."
XBIZ will update this story as more information becomes available.
