Male Porn Star / "Deep Throat" Actor Harry Reams Dies at 65 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 03-20-2013, 02:28 PM

Deep Throat Star Harry Reams Dies at 65
3/20/2013
by Jordan Zakarin

Harry Reams, the former porn actor best known for his role in Deep Throat, has died at the age of 65.

First reported by his friend Don Schenk, Reams' death has been confirmed by Gawker. Schenk wrote that Reams died of pancreatic cancer at a VA hospital in his adopted home of Utah.

Reams starred in-between 300 and 400 adult films, though his role in Deep Throat was a last-minute adjustment by the film's director, Gerard Damiano, when the original star was unable to perform his duties.

Reams was working lights on set, part of an attempt to learn the craft of film, when he was thrust into porn history.

Reams was arrested in 1974 on conspiracy to distribute obscenity across state lines, in what became a famed trial that held broader implications for creative freedom. Jack Nicholson and other stars lent him support, while Deep Throat's other star, Linda Lovelace, testified against him.

He was convicted in 1976, but it was overturned in 1977.

Born Herbert Streicher, he was born in Manhattan and dreamed of becoming an actor, eventually starring in off-Broadway productions. He began porn as a way to make rent; his theater training later helped him get cast as the coach in Grease, but Paramount eventually gave the role to Sid Caesar, as protests over Reems' past were threatening the movie's success.

He later struggled with alcoholism, though he took his last drink in 1989. He married and became a real estate agent.

As for Lovelace, he said in 2005 that he never saw her after the trial, and remained a bit bitter over the fallout.

"I really hadn’t been in contact with Linda or Gerry for some years prior to the trial," he said.

"The only opportunity I had to briefly make contact with Linda Lovelace was vicariously through a friend of hers, who called me up to tell me that she needed some money; she needed a liver transplant and couldn’t afford it. So I sent a thousand dollars to her... and never heard back, never got a thank-you."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-throat-430017

Torgo · 03-20-2013, 02:58 PM

RIP Mr Reems

Harry Reems made very brief appearances in the early 80's horror flicks Demented and To All A Goodnight.

opus · 11-22-2025, 01:49 AM

I was sure he’d make it to 69.

Too soon?

JamesG · 11-22-2025, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

I was sure he’d make it to 69.

Too soon?

Not really "too soon" as he's been deceased for 12 years now...

opus · 11-22-2025, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

Not really "too soon" as he's been deceased for 12 years now...

I know. That was part of the joke.

RIP Harry. He stood firm in his job and gave it his all.

03-20-2013, 02:28 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,174	Male Porn Star / "Deep Throat" Actor Harry Reams Dies at 65 Deep Throat Star Harry Reams Dies at 65 3/20/2013 by Jordan Zakarin Harry Reams, the former porn actor best known for his role in Deep Throat, has died at the age of 65. First reported by his friend Don Schenk, Reams' death has been confirmed by Gawker. Schenk wrote that Reams died of pancreatic cancer at a VA hospital in his adopted home of Utah. Reams starred in-between 300 and 400 adult films, though his role in Deep Throat was a last-minute adjustment by the film's director, Gerard Damiano, when the original star was unable to perform his duties. Reams was working lights on set, part of an attempt to learn the craft of film, when he was thrust into porn history. Reams was arrested in 1974 on conspiracy to distribute obscenity across state lines, in what became a famed trial that held broader implications for creative freedom. Jack Nicholson and other stars lent him support, while Deep Throat's other star, Linda Lovelace, testified against him. He was convicted in 1976, but it was overturned in 1977. Born Herbert Streicher, he was born in Manhattan and dreamed of becoming an actor, eventually starring in off-Broadway productions. He began porn as a way to make rent; his theater training later helped him get cast as the coach in Grease, but Paramount eventually gave the role to Sid Caesar, as protests over Reems' past were threatening the movie's success. He later struggled with alcoholism, though he took his last drink in 1989. He married and became a real estate agent. As for Lovelace, he said in 2005 that he never saw her after the trial, and remained a bit bitter over the fallout. "I really hadn’t been in contact with Linda or Gerry for some years prior to the trial," he said. "The only opportunity I had to briefly make contact with Linda Lovelace was vicariously through a friend of hers, who called me up to tell me that she needed some money; she needed a liver transplant and couldn’t afford it. So I sent a thousand dollars to her... and never heard back, never got a thank-you." http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-throat-430017 Attached Images

03-20-2013, 02:58 PM	#2
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,038	RIP Mr Reems Harry Reems made very brief appearances in the early 80's horror flicks Demented and To All A Goodnight.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

11-22-2025, 01:49 AM	#3
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,650	I was sure he’d make it to 69. Too soon?