LOS ANGELES—Veteran industry webmaster Bill Fox passed away in his sleep early Monday morning, AVN has learned.
A man of many hats, Fox ran the solo websites of myriad adult performers—including Richelle Ryan, Sophie Dee, Trina Michaels, Alexis Amore, Eva Angelina, Olivia O'Lovely, Tommy Gunn and Chris Strokes—as well as helped them do cam work, made them banners, shot content for them and provided promo for their appearances. He also ran the popular performer texting platform SextPanther.
"I've know Bill Fox for 12 and a half years, he was one of the first people I met when I came into the industry and was always a good friend that I could trust who always looked out for me and never took advantage of anyone," Ryan told AVN. "He would help anyone and everyone in this industry and never expect a dime in return. We lost a good soul."
Performer/director and longtime friend Ralph Long offered similar sentiments, commenting, "Bill Fox was very unique; he was a great guy to everyone and there will never be another like him."
Echoed newly inducted AVN Hall of Famer Misty Stone, "Bill was one of the most thoughtful human beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He would help you if you're in need, be that ear to listen to your nonsense, and talk you down from kicking a girl's ass. That voice of reason. I loved that man dearly, this was too sudden for me, as I was just beginning to get to know him and who he is more in depth. I love you Bill, and you will be missed beyond these words. Bill Fox forever, baby."
Offered another Hall of Famer, Daisy Marie, "I'm shocked and saddened to hear of this. I spoke to him a few days ago. Rest in peace, Bill."
From industry icon Jessica Drake: "Bill Fox was one of the kindest, most supportive people that I've even known. He was always there for everyone at any time. He loved this business, and he loved all of us too. This is a huge loss that will be felt in so many different ways. Words don't begin to explain what he meant to us. I will miss him very much—especially at brunches. Rest in peace, Bill."
Drake's partner and perhaps Fox's closest friend, Brad Armstrong, gave AVN the following extended statement:
"Today we have lost a Gentle Giant. Bill Fox was one of the sweetest, most giving men I've ever met. I've been friends with Bill for ages, I've seen him at his lowest lows and at his highest highs, but through it all, he always maintained such a great upbeat outlook ... and no matter what was happening in his life, he would always find time to lend a helping hand to all who needed it. He helped out so many people in the industry and all he asked in return was friendship and a big hug from all the pretty girls.
"What makes this especially sad is that his life was really on an upswing. He had just bought his first house, his health was getting better and he was really doing well in business. He was happier than I'd ever seen him because he was finally in a position to take care of his parents, who meant the world to him.
"I'd like to take a moment to thank those who had cared for Bill and who had been a special part of his life: Sophie Dee, Eric & Dior, Dirk Darby & Yesenia, Tommy Gunn, Tia Kai, Eva Angelina, Chris, Jessica, Dava, Nautica, Jenevieve, Julie Cash, Olivia O'Lovely, Ralph, Keni Styles, Dan, Glenn, Ryan McLane, Alexis Amore, David Lord, Kylie & Andy, September Reign, Brooke Haven, Shay Fox, Katja Kassin, Carla, Tara Lynn Foxx, and of course his trusty sidekick R-Dog, plus anyone else who brightened up Bill's day by simply walking in the studio door to spend time with him or just calling him to say hi. Please know that you made a huge difference in Bill's life and it will be remembered always."
Update:
On Tuesday, Tommy Gunn shared his own thoughts with AVN about his longstanding friendship with Fox, as follows:
“I got in the business in 2004, and I met Bill fairly quickly and we really clicked. We kind of became brothers fairly quick, he helped me with a number of things in the beginning and continued to do that as our relationship built. At one point I moved him into this house that I had been living in at the time, and he helped me develop my website, and we were inseparable—if I wasn’t working I was home with Bill, and if he wasn’t doing his thing we were tooling around some stuff, thinking about ways to do something cool and different for the business. He was just that kind of guy, very helpful to many people, to the girls, always trying to be a good influence and shed some inspiration and love and kindness.
“Around 2008 I guess, we kind of parted ways. I moved to another place, and he went his own way, and then later as time went by, we still were friends and I still called upon him, checked in on him. You know, he slowly got in worse condition with his health, and I did as much as I could, because I’m a pretty handy guy—at one point, at one of his studios, I made a nice concrete handicap ramp to get his wheelchair up, and then at another studio that he moved into, I helped put a stairlift up so he could go upstairs to where he slept and whatnot. So I was always trying to help in any way I could to assist him with his disability.
“There was a time when some distance had gotten between us and we drifted apart—life happens, I moved out to Vegas—but I’ll never forget Bill. He was always the kindest guy, and he would always tell me the same thing … you know, I might express myself about being lonely in the business; I’ve had my fair share of girlfriends and relationships in the business, but for whatever reason they never lasted … it’s a difficult thing in the business anyway to cultivate that type of thing. But he always said, ‘Be hopeful, and be in your work.’ I feel like we both shared the same thing, you know he was kind of a lonely guy too, and we were there for each other.
“He and I, in our 15 years of knowing each other, we laughed together, we cried together, we screamed at each other, we did the whole thing that you do when you’re in a relationship with a friend, a brotherhood. He had just moved into a new place and we talked briefly some time ago about me coming up to see it, and I was happy for him, after all these years of us both working hard, something finally paid off for him and he was in a position where he could financially help address his health issues and finally get into a real house that had a nice welcome mat in front of it, not a studio.
“But I feel like he’s in a better place, he’s not struggling with his condition and stuff. We’re all hard-headed, you know. But he was a great person, a great brother. I have a brother of my own, but he was like a brother to me, and I’ll miss him. I already do. We lost a good one.”
