LOS ANGELES—The AVN family is heartbroken to learn of the recent passing of Armando Malatesta, a veteran of the business who spent most of his 30-plus-year career working for various companies associated with the venerable Fields family, but who also delivered AVN magazines from 2009 until he moved to Seattle last year to be closer to his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Malatesta, who reportedly died of a heart attack, was 63.
"I brought him into the industry in about 1983," longtime friend Scott Fields told AVN today. "We started working at Arrow Productions, selling VHS and Beta."
Scott, who currently runs Fields Distribution, is the son of another industry legend, Larry Fields, who started in the industry over 40 years ago making 8mm loops, eventually opening Pipeline Video in the 1980s and '90s, as well as Fat Dog Productions, where Malatesta also worked, and other companies.
Scott continued, "After Arrow, we went to a company my dad opened up called RSVP, and from there we went to work for Essex, until that burned down. A lot of history. My father also owned Fat Dog Productions, and Armando worked for us there. After I went out on my own, he worked for me everywhere, up until about a year ago, when he moved up to Seattle."
Over the years, according to Fields, Malatesta worked a variety of positions. "He was in sales, he was warehouse, he delivered magazines for AVN, but mostly he was sales," he said, adding, "He was one of the top sales associates for me for at least 20 years."
When asked if he and Armando were ever actual partners, Scott replied, "No, we were just best friends. He followed me wherever I went, whatever I did, and wherever my father went.
"He was just an all-around great guy who loved the industry, loved surfing, loved playing music, had a great heart," added the younger Fields. "Everyone who he dealt with in this industry, delivering the magazines or talking to people about purchasing product, everybody loved him. He was just a great guy."
In 2013, on the 30th anniversary of his introduction into the adult entertainment industry, Armando came to Fields with a question. "He said his son wanted him closer," Scott told AVN, "and he asked what I thought. I said, 'Get your butt to Seattle.' That was about 13 months ago."
Fields added of their years together, "He's been around longer than my son. We played on the VCA softball team together. He was a part of our family for over 30 years, and spent every Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner with us, and it's a real loss for quite a few people. My wife Sue and my son Anthony and I have lost an amazing friend and he will be missed very much."
Before ringing off, Scott Fields wanted to add something important. "I just want people to remember Armando for that huge smile and for being an amazing guy, and I think he deserves a little recognition from somebody," he said.
Bonnie LeBlanc from AVN has added the following comment: "I will miss Armando," she said. "He was always happy and nice to everyone he met. We had great talks about music and he was always willing to give a helping hand. I had never seen him happier than when he was going to be a grandpa. I am glad he was able to spend some time with his son and family. The industry has lost another good soul."
Image: Armando Malatesta at a Jimi Hendrix memorial, left, and with his three beloved grandchildren.
