In Memory of Porn Legend Harry Reems

Deep ThroatLegendary 1970s porn star Harry Reems passed away on March 19 at the Salt Lake City V.A. Hospital. He was 65 years old.

As a male performer in Gerard Damiano’s iconic Deep Throat, Reems achieved pop culture notoriety. The 1972 XXX classic is still the top-earning adult film in history, and was part of the “porno chic” craze. Reems played the doctor who discovered that Linda Lovelace’s clitoris was in her throat.

Reems also holds the distinction of being, according to Wikipedia, the first American actor to be prosecuted just for appearing in a film (Deep Throat). He was tried and convicted in Memphis, Tennessee in 1976 on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute obscenity across state lines. Famed attorney Alan Dershowitz successfully appealed Reems’ conviction in 1977 — charges were dropped.

Before appearing in Deep Throat, Reems performed in loops, which are short, silent stag films. During a career spanning 1970-1987, his film appearances included more than 180 feature-length sexploitation and hardcore films. Next to Deep Throat, some of the other legendary titles he performed in include The Devil in Miss Jones (1973, recently given a gorgeous reissue by VCX), Too Naughty to Say No (1985, Caballero Video), and Club Ginger (1986, Vivid Entertainment).

In 1975, Reems published a memoir, Here Comes Harry Reems, detailing his early years in porn. By the 1980s, Reems’ life descended into alcoholism, but he eventually turned his life around and became a successful real estate broker based in Park City, Utah, where he lived until his death. He wed a woman named Jeanne in 1991, a marriage that lasted until his passing.

Reems appeared as himself in the 2005 documentary Inside Deep Throat.

Christy Canyon Triple Feature 4: Evil Angel Ginger Lynn The Movie The Devil In Miss Jones

Be the first to comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*