John Leslie, '70s Porn Star, Dead at 65

According to the New York Times, pornographic actor-director John Leslie has died. Leslie reportedly died of a heart attack at his home in Mill Valley, Calif., on Sunday. He was 65. The Times reports that John Leslie made his mark in the porn industry in the 1970s, during an era known as the golden age of porn - a time when feature-length, plot-driven pornographic films crossed over into mainstream success.

As much as I hate to admit it, there was a time in my life when I actually admired what a guy like Leslie did for a living. What, to get paid for having sex with scores of beautiful, sexy women? Does it get any better than that? To my way of thinking at the time, Leslie was living large, living a life most men can only fantasize about. He was cool, suave - a stud, if you will.

And a guy like Ron Jeremy was a freak of nature. Could it be possible that a rather repulsive, hirsute, fat guy (sorry, Ron) could be having so much sex with so many hot women? How could that be? Well, I suppose I know the answer to that in part - but we're not going to go there.

But that was before I became a Christian. Now, please understand that I am not judging John Leslie; rather, I am judging how he chose to make a living. There are gradations of sin, and, compared to Adolf Hitler and Charles Manson, John Leslie is like an effete choir boy who delights in walking little old ladies across the street.

Nor am I a prude (oh, far from it). Sex is awesome; it's just that God designed it to be an intimate expression of love between a husband and wife who are committed to one another. It was designed to be kept within the confines of marriage.

But that was before the Fall. When sin entered into the equation, the whole world became tainted and corrupted - including male sexuality. Men are visual creatures who desire to have sex with a wide variety of women. In order to be honorable, a man must control his impulses - control his fleshly inclinations - and commit to one woman.

Making a living in the porn industry, or doing blue stand-up comedy, or making raunchy comedies (think the Farrely brothers) is taking the easy and sleazy way out. It seems to me that those who lower their standards and pursue these sorts of careers are cheating themselves and the world.

They have so much more to offer.

Meanwhile, rest in peace, John Leslie

Source:

John Leslie, Actor in Pornographic Films, Dies at 65, nytimes.com