VAN NUYS, Calif.—Adult industry make-up artist Lee Garland died Saturday at his home in Van Nuys, Calif., following a battle with prostate cancer.
AVN spoke briefly Saturday evening with Garland's close friend, adult actress Dyanna Lauren, who confirmed his passing earlier today and said that the prostate cancer he had been diagnosed with late last year had since metastasized to his bones. She added she had been with Garland at his home just a few days ago, and would provide more details about the visit at a later time. A caregiver was with Garland at the time of his death, she said.
Garland, who started in porn in 1987, had a very busy year in 2010, earning 2011 AVN Awards nominations for This Ain’t Avatar XXX 3D and Batman XXX: A Porn Parody, as well as working on This Ain't Star Trek XXX 2: The Butterfly Effect. All three films were directed by Axel Braun.
In 2004, Garland announced his retirement from porn, but it didn't last long. In 2005, he racked up at least six credits and kept up a pretty active pace thereafter. In addition to his work in adult films as a top-notch make-up artist and hair stylist, Garland's work was also widely seen on innumerable magazine covers and in the pages of erotic art books distributed throughout the world.
Friends of Garland launched HelpLeeGarland.com in early December as a place to accept donations and coordinate fundraisers, as well as celebrate the life and work of a beloved and treasured personality. On the site, they wrote, “Lee Garland is our colleague and our friend, and he is battling cancer. His closest friends are reaching out to everyone who Lee's life and gentle spirit have touched over the years and asking for help."
The following message by September Dawn of Adult Talent Managers was posted to the site early Sunday morning:
It is with great sadness that I post that Lee passed away January 29th 2011, from stage four prostate cancer.
He was a creative genious, an amazing artist, a spiritual guide and a teacher . He truly made an impact on each and every person who knew Lee.
With his beliefs in metaphysics, spirtuality, abundance and Law of Attraction he literally helped change people's lives.
He was my best friend, my mentor, my creative inspiration and my comic relief. There is a hole in my heart that will never be filled.
I know that he is with the Angels he knew so well.
I Love You and Miss you Lee. September
Photo: Lee Garland and Dyanna Lauren
