Ron Jeremy... Penetrating Society.

why is he famous?

Ron Jeremy is the superior being when it comes to pornographic film. Not to mention, he looks like a regular schmo.

quick bio

We've all had our share of quirky teachers growing up, but few of us have seen such teachers cross over and star in adult movies. Fewer still are the number of adult performers that have crossed over to pop culture better than Ron Jeremy, a.k.a. Ron Jeremy Hyatt. The New York-native owes some of his success to a girlfriend who submitted one of his pictures to Play..girl magazine for the "Boy Next Door" feature back in 1978. He had secured roles in plays written by Oscar Wilde and Nikolai Gogol, but the lure of acting was too strong to resist. From there, the man they now call the "hedgehog" has become ubiquitous, to the point that AVN (Adult Video News) named him the Top Porn Star of All-Time, no small feat indeed.

Jeremy's appeal is broad, far wider than that of any other adult star. Perhaps it's due to the fact that his frame and persona is that of a regular Joe, blessed beyond belief with the perfect outlook on his industry. And if there was ever a doubt of his tremendous appeal to mainstream media, the number of stars that rush to take pictures with him is impressive: Axl Rose, Robin Williams, Jay Leno, and Samuel L. Jackson are just some examples. And if that were not enough, a look at the long line of would-be interviewers spoke volumes as we caught up with him on his promotional tour for his film: Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy.

Nominated for Best Documentary of the Year by the Chicago Film Critics Association, the film is indeed hilarious and informative. It even avoids the easy way out and offers a good dose of insight into an industry that is subject to both adulation and criticism. He has starred in over 1,700 movies and has directed over 250. He also served as a technical advisor on 9 ½ Weeks and Boogie Nights.

As you will see, indeed Ron Jeremy is a man who walks to the beat of a different drum -- his own. And now, without further ado, here's Ron.

Q: Thanks for joining us Ron.

Thanks for your patience and your perseverance.

Q: You need it in this line of work. What is the one trait that you need in your line of work?

To be a successful porn actor, what you need is a good sense of humor to deal with some of the nuts out there. And a penis that can perform on cue.

Q: Yeah, I would guess so. But I guess what the first question should be is this: how does a guy with a master's from Queens College, who's teaching Special Education end up in this field?

Well, the thing is that I have a BA in theater and a BA in elementary education, so I have always wanted to act. The education was secondary in case the acting didn't work out. My dad would always tell me, "Have something to fall back on, son." Acting is a tough career -- have you seen the documentary by the way?

Q: No, still have not, but I definitely will... heard good things about it and everyone is recommending it.

My dad is in it too. I quit teaching altogether to do theater -- it wasn't [exactly] right from special education to pornography. I quit the theater, got into the union and went on to do more theater. I saw what the job market was for actors, and that is when I was approached to do porn. Actually, an ex-girlfriend submitted a picture of me to Play..girl magazine. Instead of bringing me out for a layout, they actually published that photo as "the guy next door." I signed the releases and all, so it was fine. And then I was approached to do adult. And here is the main reason: a lot of the guys that were doing adult were doing mainstream. So if they liked me in their work, they would probably use me in their mainstream movies. Back then it was all film. You had to be fairly savvy in the world of filmmaking to direct movies. Now with videos, just as any dad can shoot his kids at Disneyland, any guy can shoot an amateur. Cameras are on auto focus, you don't have to worry about lighting. Back then you had to be a real director. Chuck Vincent, who was a big porn director, put me in his first R-rated piece with Chris Lemmon, Jack Lemmon's son, called COD, then it was called Snap. It was a union movie. I consulted 9 ½ Weeks later.

Quick fact Ron Jeremy starred in his first pornographic film in 1978.

Q: You mentioned your folks, how do your parents feel about it?

Well, I asked how they felt first. My mom died a year or so after I did movies. But her opinion was so interesting that my dad would quote her often. Everyone in my family is so professional: lawyers, teachers, diplomats, one is in the CIA, a few in government. The thing that is funny is that no one in my family has less than a Master's. Half of that group even has a PhD. But my mom always said that "Ronnie dances to a different drummer." That was kind of funny.

Q: You definitely did... and you were certainly pounding skins... (laughs). Tell us some of the craziest gigs you've had to do, or were asked to do.

I can tell you a funny event. Bobby Asters was having sex with Samantha Fox in New York, and they were in a position called the Australian Down Under angle. What happened was the camera was under his legs, and a hot light got too close to his balls and started singeing his ball hairs. So he did a double flip summersault with a half gainer and a twist, and landed in a pool. Lucky for him there was a pool there.

Q: Would you consider yourself the most popular porn star in the world?

It would be conceited for me to say yes. But let me say this: everyone else says it. AVN [Adult Video News] magazine, the bible of the porn business, they did a thing on the Top 50 Adult Film Stars of All-Time and the most influenced, and I was kind of happily surprised that they made me #1. They had John Holmes as #3, and he was the king, I was the prince... but I was #1. Jenna Jameson was #2. Linda Lovelace #4... and it went on.

Q: What was it about you that stood out, apart from the obvious?

I think I was the average looking guy that guys could relate to. If you get a real good-looking guy, it's hard to get so far because the audience does not relate. And you have to build the sex in the character.

Q: You have been in over 1,700 titles, and many of them have with the word "butt" in the title. What is up with that, buttman?

Not really, only the new movies have that. Remember one thing: back in the old days, I could work two times a month, make 24 movies in a year, and that would be a hectic schedule. It was a five to ten-day shoot per movie. Europe was doing some more nasty sex, in private video. The 1980s was when the stories just left the movies, it was all about the sex, and American producers had to compete with Europe's best. So American films had to shoot nastier stuff. And then guys who would do two films a week, 24 a year were suddenly considered virtually unemployed. So it became butt that, butt this. If you look at my stuff, I am not associated with that as much as a Seymour Butts, a Butt man, or many others.

Q: What is your favorite position?

Any one where the girl screams "yes!"

Does the man who gets paid to have sex have a girlfriend?

Q: Porn is moving into mainstream -- is that good or bad?

It makes it all legitimate; any business that is a billion-dollar industry, that outsells the record industry, should be a legitimate business. People are making money and the government should collect tax from it...

Q: Ron, let's be honest, do you think that the powers that be in porn want to pay taxes?

They want to give it to the government; when it was underground, we would get busted all the time. We were always legal in my mind, especially in NYC, but in California, they had this pandering law that they would use to stop us. NYC had the same, but it was for pimps...

Q: Do you have a girlfriend?

No, well actually, there is a woman in my life that I call my R&R, my roommate with romance.

Q: Oh, that is a pretty sweet set-up. Now, do you have kids, do you want some?

I do want to have children some day, but being a typical Jewish dad, I would encourage education with them. I would want them to do something along the lines of school. There are so many little Jewish girls in the business, they want to get educated...

Q: I read that Jewish men make for good lovers, any truth to that?

I heard Italians made for good lovers; Jews just give good head...

Q: How tired do you get of the sex questions? You are a smart guy so...

No, it does not bother me, people are curious, I cannot ask how come. If they want to know something, I have no objections.

Q: Good to know, I will hold you to that. Who was your best partner?

What I answer to that question, always, is your mom... next question.

Q: Ouch...

No, the answer is Tabitha Stevens...

Quick fact Ron directed the notorious John Wayne Bobbitt film Uncut. If you recall, Lorena Bobbitt lopped off John's penis in June 1993.

Q: Is there ever someone you would not perform with?

No. So long as she has a pulse, I am fine... (laughs)

Q: Yeah, avoiding necrophilia is all we ask of you. Now, I read somewhere that you performed auto-fellatio, is that true?

Yes. I made sure I used a rubber cause I have no idea where it's been...

Q: Speaking of that, have you ever had the misfortune of contracting something?

Let me see... can you please repeat the question?

Q: You could not answer, but the question was whether you had the misfortune of contracting something?

No, never have. When I was a schoolteacher, I got gonorrhea once (laughs). But since I have been in porn, nothing. I get tested every month -- let me tell you something, we ejaculate outside the body, you have seen the money shot? When it goes outside, there's less chance of transmitting a virus.

Q: Well, I am not sure if it is quite that simple, but okay, for the sake of this interview. Well, here is another one: in this industry, women make more money but it is men that must perform at will -- is that fair?

The extra 0 at the end of the paycheck. The average guy gets $300 to $400 a scene, or $100 to $200 if he's new. A woman makes $100,000 to $250,000 at the end of the year. But it is not unfair because men are more willing; there are fewer women who would want to do it. Guys would do it for the sex alone...

Q: When you have sex, is it a chore or...

Oh I still love it.

Q: Good to know, how about sex toys, anything you like or use?

Yes, my own mold, the Ron Jeremy mold, so I can double penetrate a girl and both are mine.

Q: Speaking of twos -- who do you prefer, Monica Lewinsky or Hillary Rodham Clinton?

Monica Lewinsky: younger, cuter, bigger boobs.

Ron's advice to up-and-coming porn stars, and the number of women he has slept with...

Q: Good enough. What advice would you give to an up-and-coming star?

Work hard, show up on time, be hygienic.

Q: And what kind of advice would you give our readers?

If you are a guy, then you must bring a girl...

Q: Do any famous actors ask you for tips?

Yes.

Q: Care to name any?

I'd rather not.

Q: Is Ron Jeremy your real name?

Real first and middle name, last name is Hyatt.

Q: Why the change?

Some guy said you should not use your real name in Play..girl... so I went with Ron Jeremy.

Q: Who do you consider hot in today's market? Britney? Pam?

I like Britney, I like Pam Anderson, I like Madonna, I used to like Alanis Morissette, but she is getting too skinny though all of a sudden.

Q: We could set it up for you (laughs). What is your favorite female body part? Breasts? Butt? Legs?

All of the above.

Quick fact Ron discovered that he was able to fellate himself when he bent over one day to tie his shoelace. Some guys have all the luck...

Q: Have you been offered any non-adult parts?

Yes, but I have yet to accept any.

Q: What will your legacy be ultimately?

Kind of like I said earlier... but here's what will be written on my tombstone: "Here is a guy who lived his life as he wanted, he pretty much called his own shots, his checks did not bounce, he did not lie to anybody, and it is time to move on..."

Q: Now speaking of checks not bouncing, how fortunate has this field made you?

Not bad, not bad at all.

Q: At what age did you lose your virginity?

15. She was 14.

Q: How many women have you slept with?

Between 3,000 and 4,000.

Q: How many times could you perform in a day?

I did a fourteen-girl scene; that was tough in one day -- it's in the documentary.

Q: Ah yes, Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy, what is it about?

It's about my life, from childhood on. Shows me getting into the teaching profession, my family being all war veterans. People are shocked that I was a former schoolteacher. It's a little slice of life, it puts a friendly face on the world of porn; no drugs, no alcohol, no abuse, just a guy, college-educated, who wanted to make a porno film, and ended up being in the porn business. People will find it interesting hopefully.

Q: I am sure they will Ron, they already have, that is why they made the flick. Thanks for your time.