CHATSWORTH, Calif.—A wide array of producers, directors, attorneys and other influential figures are remembering the indelible impact that Hustler founder Larry Flynt made on the adult industry before he died Wednesday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at 78.
Below are some of their remarks:
Paul Fishbein - founder, AVN
"AVN owes a debt of gratitude to Larry as does everybody in the industry, but particularly AVN because if he hadn't fought the fights he did and taken a bullet for what he believed in, I wonder how far we would have gotten in the adult media. Now that adult media is free and open, Larry and Al Goldstein deserve credit for paving the way for all of us."
Paul Cambria - attorney
"Larry was a real titan of the First Amendment; he was one of the real true believers. I mean, he did it because he thought it was right, as opposed to some people who use the First Amendment just as an excuse to make money. He wasn't one of those guys. As you know, his landmark Supreme Court case basically said you can't sue people if they say something that hurts your feelings.
"In addition, one of the things that stands out for me always is he called me one day to say, 'You know, the Bush administration is not letting the press on the battlefield. We've had press on the battlefield ever since the Revolutionary War. All we're doing is being spoonfed what they want us to hear. I want you to sue Rumsfeld, the Defense secretary.' So I did. In fact, as a result of that, they let the legitimate press be on the battlefield, including one of the reporters that Larry hired, and the American public got the truth about the war, and it wasn't too long thereafter that the troops pulled out of there. So it's things like that that Larry did, that people don't know about.
"He really was a true believer, and his success story is amazing. He grew up in poverty, he went to ninth grade and died nearly a billionaire, with a very large string of retail stores that are extremely productive; several casinos, broadcasting, satellite, cable—I mean the guy really became a giant in the business."
Frank Kay, founder, IVD
“Larry was a friend of mine. We did business together and lately we spent some New Year’s Eves and some nice friends and family parties together. Larry was a legend. Larry was one of the guys that paved the way for all of us guys to succeed. He changed the industry... He literally took the bullet for us.
“Larry started changing the way that stores were done, putting together such beautiful, fantastic stores that were couples friendly. He really changed the game and went for it. Larry always tried to help as many people as possible. He was smart, intellectual, funny—super funny. He had an amazing sense of humor. He loved good food and loved to hang out with his friends.
“My most recent memory, I’m sad to say, is we flew to Orange County on the maiden voyage on his new jet to celebrate Michael Warner’s birthday. … We enjoyed each other’s company. He had an unbelievable, crazy life and I hate to see him leave. He did a lot for this industry and he will be missed."
Steve Orenstein - founder, Wicked Pictures
"Larry was a pioneer in our industry and you would be hard-pressed to find a stronger advocate for freedom of speech. He paved the way for the rest of us to have a place and he will be missed."
Axel Braun - director/head of production, Wicked Pictures
"I first met Larry with my father [Lasse Braun] in the early '90s, and I was immediately struck by his intelligence, his wit and his sense of purpose. He saw porn not just as a masturbatory aid, but literally as a weapon to shock the system. A few months later, before Hustler had even entered the video business, he gave me quite possibly the easiest gig ever: flying around the country for three monts to film solo scenes of girls who had mailed in their Polaroids. His plan was to put the scenes on a series of VHS tapes to be sold alongside the magazine. 'Make it look shitty,' Larry said. 'Like they put the camera on an end table and shot it themselves, or as if a boyfriend shot it, but just not good. It has to feel real.' It was 1996 and I guess I did a pretty good job at making it look shitty, because Larry recommended me to Russ Hampshire at VCA who offered me a two-picture deal. Ten years later I would return to Hustler, and I'd go on to shoot for them for seven years, during which I started making the parodies that would become my trademark.
"He was a remarkable man, an absolute icon, and a huge source of inspiration, and I will never forget the huge role he played in shaping my career. RIP, Mr. Flynt."
Scott Taylor - owner & president, New Sensations/Digital Sin
Jules Jordan - director/founder, Jules Jordan Video
“We’ve lost a freedom fighter for the industry. I’m eternally grateful for the free speech battles he has fought.”
Allan Gelbard - attorney
"Larry Flynt was a true warrior for the First Amendment. Like many others, he came to the role unintentionally, as a reaction to government attacks on his business and against him personally. But once committed, he was a fearless, dedicated and generous champion of free expression. Many are unaware that Larry would often contribute to defend and support others who were fighting against censorship.
"In Hustler v. Falwell, he—quite literally—set the legal precedent that allows the press to lampoon public figures without being liable for infliction of emotional distress. His numerous contributions to the adult industry, and to our national ability to criticize public figures, could not be overstated.
"When I was just a baby lawyer, I first met Larry at an FSC 'Night of the Stars' event. He graciously signed a copy of the November 1983 Hustler magazine for me—the one with the famous Falwell Campari ad in it. It is, and will remain, one of my prized possessions.
"We shall not see one like him again. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and associates."
Clyde DeWitt - attorney
"Many in this industry are too young to remember what a pioneer Larry was back in the ’70s. To remind you, watch or re-watch People v. Larry Flynt, Milos Forman's wonderful film. Larry was every bit the fighter who was depicted in that movie and more.
“One of the proudest moments of my career was at the 2007 AVN Awards Show, when Larry presented Paul Cambria, Louis Sirkin and me with lifetime achievement awards. The presenter was as significant to me as was the award.”
Will Ryder - producer, director
“Larry Flynt was a great American and I’m proud to have produced and directed many successful movies for this titan. With our successful ground-breaking string of parody movies such as Not the Bradys XXX, we helped Hustler Video thrive once again inspiring them to create their own This Ain’t XXX brand which proved to be a huge part of their sales.
“He let us use his menacing black Gulfstream jet twice which I thought was the coolest thing.
“He is an iconic figure so none of this is lost on me. Helping Hustler remain successful almost felt like some sort of surreal payback for all the sexy entertainment I enjoyed from Hustler magazine as a teenager.
“We did quite well with our distribution deal with LFP; I’m sure I helped pay for at least one of those gold-framed paintings in his office.
“I remember having a dinner with him in Beverly Hills when I was a brand new director and I couldn’t quite fathom who was sitting across the table.
“Anyone that repaired a radio receiver in the 1960s aboard a U.S. Naval warship to help recover John Glenn's space capsule has a special place in Americana. May he rest in peace.”
Kelly Holland - producer/director/publisher
"I didn’t have much personal interaction with Larry. As the owner of Penthouse, I did spend a lot of time thinking about Larry in terms of his position as one of the three great icons and he is now the last of the three to go. Each launched their brand in three successive decades; [Hugh] Hefner in the '50s, [Bob] Guccione in the '60s and Flynt in the '70s, and each, predictably, incredibly representative of their time; each very different in their approach but each pushing the boundaries of the First Amendment to our benefit today. I’m not sure that our business landscape now or in the future will ever again be a place where a single personality can become that iconic or influential."
Mark Kulkis - founder, Kick Ass Pictures
"The country has lost a freedom fighter, and the adult industry has lost one of its true visionaries. Larry Flynt gave me my big break in late 1998, when he and Jim Kohls hired me to create a video division for them that would become Hustler Video.
"I have great memories from that era, working on the 9th floor of the Hustler building in Beverly Hills. I handled the business end of the division, and amazing photographers like Clive McLean and James Baes handled the creative side. I only personally interacted with Larry a few times. I always felt like a commoner in the presence of the king. (And for good reason—if you’ve ever visited the 10th floor where Larry had his office, you’ll know that Fountainebleau had nothing on Larry decor-wise.) He carried that same vibe with him when he would occasionally visit the lower floors. Hushed whispering would precede his arrival, and everyone would snap to attention. Then Larry would appear in his golden wheelchair, being pushed by his longtime bodyguard Doug. You felt lucky to be on the receiving end of a brief, royal nod in your direction.
"Working for LFP was like being part a huge family, with Larry in the role of father. And make no mistake, it was a family business. I got to know Theresa, Liz, Larry Jr, Jimmy, Dustin and Jimmy Jr. As an employee, you couldn’t help but feel like an adopted member of the clan as well. It was a fantastic time of my life, and I’ll always be grateful to Larry and the entire LFP family. I only left after four years because my company Kick Ass Pictures (which had been distributed by Hustler) was all grown up and ready to be on its own. Rest in peace Larry. Your huge, extended family appreciates all you did."
Drew Rosenfeld - VP broadcast, head of production, Penthouse
"He wanted to hear from everybody in the company. Larry knew every working aspect of his many corporations.
"Even at his stature, Larry didn’t want anyone working for him to think he was unapproachable, that’s why, over the years he took so many meetings with his executives and top directors.
“I met with Larry at least three times each week. He schooled me in business and I’m grateful for that as it positively impacts me in all of my business dealings today.”
Sharon Mitchell - founder, AIM Healthcare
“I am so saddened by the loss of a both a great friend and outspoken patriot and defender of our nations first amendment, Larry Flynt. I knew Larry for 46 years and am proud to have been able to call him my friend, and supporter of AIM Healthcare (AIM).
“I’ll never forget when I started AIM, Larry was one of the first on board to support the concept of what AIM stood for and wanted to achieve, when others that I discussed AIM with were doubtful of what we at AIM could achieve. Moral support was not all that Larry gave; he provided significant financial support to pay our initial laboratory bill when we got started. When Larry referred to me as a ‘rebel,’ coming from him, I don’t know how he could have paid me a higher compliment. I am forever grateful that he never stop believing in me or AIM Healthcare's mission.
“After AIM was up running and successful, Larry regularly donated money for the ‘Life After Porn Program,’ so that industry people who desired to go to college or technical schools, and did not have the financial means, could go on to become nurses, anesthesiologists, therapists, etc.
“I remember my lunches with him, how he always had Corn Flakes while mentoring me about how the cards were stacked against me and to not give up because AIM Healthcare's mission was that of helping people better their lives. Larry was was a good man with a good heart, and a bad boy at the same time. I will always remember Larry fondly, the impact on my life, his impact on AIM Healthcare, and miss my conversations with him over a bowl of Corn Flakes.
“My sincere, love and condolences to his wife and family.”
Free Speech Coalition (official statement)
"Free Speech Coalition mourns the loss of Larry Flynt, one of the most powerful and effective defenders of free speech in the history of the adult industry. Flynt’s brash and controversial approach to the creation, sale and distribution of adult content paved the way for a new generation of adult entertainment—one not cowed by censors or zealots. His defense of Hustler, in the public and in the courts, helped establish that sexual speech is political speech.
"FSC presented Larry Flynt with the Hal Freeman Award in 1997, and our Legacy Award in 2009. He and his companies were long-time donors to FSC and other industry causes, and his daughter Theresa was an active member of our Board for many years.
"While those outside the industry may only remember the provocateur, those in our industry will remember him as an icon, a trailblazer, a business partner, a benefactor, a mentor, and a friend. He will be missed greatly, and his contributions to our industry—and to freedom of expression—will never be forgotten."
Larry Claxton Flynt Jr.
— Larry Flynt (@ImLarryFlynt) February 11, 2021
1942 - 2021 ??❤️ pic.twitter.com/YswNdQwk8i
Thank you all for the outpouring of love, support, prayers, shared memories and more...
— Theresa Flynt (@TheresaFlynt) February 11, 2021
It is just impossible to function and get back to everyone at this time.
So for now, I share one of my favorite selfies with my father.
My life will never be the same ?@ImLarryFlynt pic.twitter.com/CfuoWa5Ga9
AVN will continue to update this story.
