MIAMI—One of the pioneers of internet porn passed away on October 29, but his impact on the world of adult entertainment continues to live on online.
Entrepreneur Don Osterholt began his career as the founder of Atlas Multimedia in 1996, and his legacy includes the launch of some of the earliest and most successful solo girl sites of all time. The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department has confirmed that Mr. Osterholt died at age 51 but the office has not yet determined his cause of death.
Atlas’ first official adult star website was NiciSterling.com and it generated a big audience thanks to a combination of star power, branding and affiliate marketing efforts through its webmaster brand PornstarDollars.com.
During the following 16-year period Atlas Multimedia produced more than 100 official porn star websites for many of the best-known adult industry stars of that time period, including Alektra Blue, Racquel Darrian, Stacey Valentine, Kobe Tai, Monica Sweetheart, Briana Banks, Ginger Lynn, Stormy Daniels, Tawny Roberts, Angel Dark, Lezley Zen, Tabitha Stevens, Sativa Rose, Tory Lane, Vanessa Lane, Houston, Hillary Scott and Hannah Harper, along with some of the first transgender XXX sites for performers Gia Darling and Alannah Starr.
“We’re happy to have been able generate and payout millions of dollars to our clients and affiliates,” said Osterholt on his final website DonOsterholt.com. “Since being the first to launch a pornstar affiliate program, we were able to generate high revenues from the very beginning and do so for many years.”
Atlas Multimedia later diversified its interests by managing programs for other companies, including the official websites of Seymore Butts and Red Light District Video, which led to the creation of his studio Atlas Home Movies. Osterholt parlayed that revenue stream into deeper connections with top-tier studios like Anabolic, Diabolic, Zero Tolerance, Third Degree and Black Ice.
Longtime friend Greg Dumas described Osterholt as “an esteemed businessman, loyal friend, and an exceptional husband and father,” and he shared some information about the Atlas founder's personal life:
“Born in Arkansas, Don grew up in foster homes until he was adopted and brought to California. (Don later credited much of his strength and tenacity with having grown up in foster care and boys homes.) Having graduated from San Dimas High School, where he was named Athlete of the Year, he quickly joined the U.S. Army. After his honorable discharge, he joined the police force in Pasadena.
Dumas said Osterholt then took the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a stockbroker. “In 1996, the burgeoning internet market was taking shape and Don saw many areas where he could profit from this new technology. He put his career as a stockbroker on hold and formed Atlas Multimedia, where he carved out several markets for his products over the years.”
According to Dumas, Osterholt’s interests included ATVing, collecting World War II memorabilia, and spending time with friends and family. He was a Led Zeppelin and Tool enthusiast, world traveler, and an inventive cook.
In his final blog post dated June 26, 2015, Osterholt officially retired to concentrate his focus on family and stated simply, “I’m honored to have met and worked with the biggest porn stars in the world, the biggest adult studios in the world and the leaders in the online adult community. I am proud to have accomplished so much.”
Don spent his last year in Florida, where he lived with his wife, Yamile Osterholt. He had two two daughters, Shani and Tevel.
A memorial will be held for family, friends, and acquaintances at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 14 at Oakwood Memorial Park, 22601 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, Los Angeles.
