Veteran actor Jon Dough, aka Chet Anuzek, was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Thursday afternoon after a memorial service attended by family, friends and industry peers.
Dough, who died by his own hand on Aug. 27, was eulogized in the Old North Church, the site of similar services for another AVN and XRCO Hall of Famer, John C. Holmes, in 1988. Both actors, co-incidentally, were 43 at the time of their death.
The service drew a substantial turnout, notably from Dough’s actor colleagues, the men who toiled alongside him during his 20-plus years in the Porn Valley trenches. A good three dozen of them showed up to pay their respects, from Joey Silvera and Herschel Savage at one end of the generational spectrum to Erik Everhard and Michael Stefano at the other.
Also on hand were a few actresses and a smattering of company owners and personnel, including Dough’s former colleagues at Anabolic-Diabolic, where he did his first work as a director.
Dough’s body, in an open casket at the church’s altar, was viewed by mourners as recorded punk rock played discreetly. His widow, Monique, and four year-old daughter, Breena. sat in the first row. After a eulogy and prayers by a priest, the service turned more personal.
Dough’s sister, Kathy Shay, spoke emotionally, often through tears, of his ties to his family. “Life without him will be very difficult,” she said.
Actor Randy Spears, Dough’s best friend, gave an equally moving account of their 20-year friendship and experiences as neighbors in Orange County. “I loved him like a brother,” Spears said. “I drew strength from him, as many others have done. He left us way too soon.”
Directors Mike John and Tim Von Swine also offered brief comments.
Dough’s body was interred immediately after the service in a plot across from the church.
A trust fund to help finance his daughter’s college education has been set up by several members of the adult community. Details can be found here.
