John Movido - Gay-porn actor who died of AIDS in 1984 is lovingly remembered

From: Shawn Mayotte

 John Movido was known as Robbie Leonetti in the Male Adult Film Industry. Kent Schlesselmann (Kurt Detrick) had given him the name “Robbie” because of his likeness to 70’s heartthrob Robby Benson. Though I told everyone I was 18, I met him in 1982, when I was only 17. I was on the streets and without family. John quickly turned into an older brother, advising me to quit hustling on the street; becoming my adviser as he guided me through the perplexing world of escorting in Los Angeles.


 John was an extremely intelligent, kind, and giving person. He helped me become known, introducing me to many people, pre-qualifying many “clients”, protecting me from the scoundrels who took advantage of us. In 1983 I noticed he had a lingering cold and cough that persisted without end. By the fall of that year, it was clear to both of us he had this new “Gay disease” that had killed so many of our friends. Although many of my friends died on the street, outcasts from society, John went home to his family and passed away in 1984.

Though the Adult Film Industry is an almost upward career move today; to me it’s ubiquity makes it stale and uninteresting. Back in the early 1980’s, it was unforgiving, and most of us who got into it came from broken homes. We were the disposable ones, discarded and unloved; most of our families were torn apart by drug abusing parents, and many of us were molested in Boys’ Homes or by family members. But we were valuable, and I intend to write about more of my friends who died, as they deserved better than they received. Everyone counts or no one counts. I loved you John – you were my mentor, and my friend. Thank you for sharing your life with me.