MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Masculine power top Collin O'Neal announced his retirement from performing late Thursday. He will continue to produce, direct and be involved in other behind-the-camera aspects of World of Men and Collin O'Neal Productions, the gay adult entertainment studios he founded.
"I just think now is the time to focus on working behind the camera, since I feel I created a porn aficionado base that is not focused on me being in front of the camera but rather the hot, new guys I find to perform for me from all around the world," he said.
"Over the past year I have invested a great deal of time managing my business and learning to work the video camera and less time at the gym. I just do not feel so good about my body - in addition to meeting a special person that is not comfortable with me performing - so I made the decision to retire."
O'Neal began his porn career in 2003 as an exclusive for Hot House Entertainment. His first performance, alongside ex-boyfriend Arpad Miklos, was in Skuff II. Hot House owner Steven Scarborough took a particular interest in the performer and promoted him aggressively.
"I really have to thank Steven for making such a large star out of me," O'Neal said.
After the one-year exclusive contract with Hot House ended, O'Neal performed for Falcon, Chi Chi La Rue, Rascal Video, Raging Stallion, Titan Media and others.
"I didn't do too many movies since I was very picky about my scene partners," O'Neal said. "I also had a full-time job and attended night classes for my masters [degree], so I didn't have a lot of time or motivation to do a ton of movies."
O'Neal and his friend Rich Richards founded Collin O'Neal Productions in Miami in 2005 with the proceeds from the sale of a condo they remodeled. Shortly after the condo sold, O'Neal moved to London, where he was struck with the idea for World of Men.
"London is a huge melting pot of people from around the world, so I was filming with all kinds of guys and that is when the idea of ‘World of Men' popped into my head," he said.
O'Neal eventually moved back to Miami to focus on marketing his website. While there, a chance encounter with Raging Stallion chief Chris Ward led to a scene with Francois Sagat.
"Really, who would say ‘no' to topping Francois Sagat?" O'Neal asked.
The day after filming the scene in San Francisco, O'Neal and Ward met to discuss a business deal. A DVD distribution arrangement resulted, catapulting O'Neal's previously Web-only content into the brick-and-mortar realm. In addition, O'Neal received financial backing from Raging Stallion for a planned shoot in Lebanon.
"I always wanted to film in Lebanon," O'Neal said. "I lived there for one year, and I knew how gorgeous the potential model pool would be. I also had the crazy idea of filming in a bombed-out building and messy Lebanese kitchen, but I could have never done it with out the financial backing of Chris Ward."
Lebanon, the DVD that resulted won awards including a GAYVN Award for Best Pro-Am Release and a Grabby for Best Videography. O'Neal himself was awarded the Grabby for Best Cock in 2007.
"It was all so much for one year," he said. "I was blown away for winning studio awards, but I also was proud of the industry recognizing my work as a performer."
World of Men saw its genesis when O'Neal decided to break from Raging Stallion.
"I had a huge ego problem," he admitted. "Rich and I were working very hard on our own products and I really wanted the recognition, not just the financial gains."
The World of Men name just seemed to fit the product better than Collin O'Neal Productions, he said.
"I had an ego problem, but not a massive ego problem," O'Neal said. "I knew I had to come up with a name that represented my work, not my ego.
"Chris warned me about replacing Raging Stallion with World of Men," he added. "He thought retailers and consumers would not order a non-Raging Stallion product, but my ego needed validation over my bank account being fed."
The first World of Men title featured Roman Ragazzi, and things turned out fine, O'Neal said - even though Richards wasn't sure they would. When O'Neal decided to make a clean break with Raging Stallion and begin self-distributing his films, Richards argued.
"I fought with Collin," Richards revealed. "At times pots and pans flew across the apartment aimed at me, but Collin never lets up. He had one last conversation with our good friend Chi Chi La Rue while on a cruise ship in the middle of the Mediterranean, and when he hung up, his foot went solidly down on the self-distribution issue."
Serbia, World of Men's first self-distributed title, was released in mid-July. It also represents O'Neal's final performance, in a scene where he and Dakota Rivers double-team Bijan.
"I may change my mind in the future, but if I decide to perform again the scene will only be featured on my website," O'Neal said. "I feel more like a businessman now and less like a porn star with an ego like others in the industry that keep performing in their own movies."
Serbia may be ordered by emailing Scott Boardman or calling (305) 495-4767.
