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April Hall remembers Jerry Butler:
This one is a hard one to take.
Jerry Butler passed away last week. It makes no sense, because there was no one more full of life than Jerry Butler.
I first met him a few years ago, and within minutes he was stripped down to the waist to show me his physique, before dropping to the floor and challenging me to a press-up contest. I know a losing bet when I see one, and so declined. Jerry’s only complaint that day was that I wasn’t filming the interview.
He’d traveled across Brooklyn on his bike (he traveled everywhere on his bike), and arrived almost two hours early for our meeting. As I approached to greet him, he shouted, “Hey, do you wanna see my beaver?” as he threw a stuffed beaver towards me before I could answer.
Thereafter I’d hear from Jerry on a regular basis. He’d call breathlessly from the gym (Me: “Jerry, what on earth are you doing?” Jerry: “I’m benching 250!”), or with his mouth full (Me: “Jerry, what on earth are you doing?” Jerry: “Cheese and ham omelette with fries!”)
He was a hard guy not to like.
Last Thursday, I drove out to his funeral in Brooklyn, and his death didn’t make sense to anyone there either.
Apparently he’d had a tumor removed successfully a while ago. Then, a few months later, he was knocked off his bike. He wasn’t badly injured, but he was taken to hospital for routine tests. There the doctors found that the cancer had spread throughout his body, including his pancreas. It was inoperable.
At the funeral, there was a sense of bewilderment. Family members sat with friends in near silence. Former hockey player friends, broad-shouldered, taciturn, granite-like men in their 50s, shook their heads quietly. Jerry’s sister, Linda, held everything together, generous in greeting and thanking everyone individually who was in attendance.
Apart from Cathy Tavel, the co-writer of Jerry’s 1989 tell-all autobiography, Raw Talent, no one from the adult film industry was there.
Cathy remembered that interviewing Jerry was like trying lasso a wild horse with freshly-cooked spaghetti. He was incapable of sitting still, talked manically, ran around the room, binged on Oreos, and paused for a moment only to dry-hump her as she took notes. I remembered a similar experience when I recorded our podcast interview with him.
At the funeral, Cathy was wearing a t-shirt that Jerry had made for her. He would ask people what their favorite cartoon character was, and then show up with a hand-painted t-shirt featuring the animated figure. Several of these t-shirts were on display, as was his painting kit.
He was 58 when he died, but was still the biggest kid in the world.
Jerry was a lovable, crazy, mixed-up, kind-hearted soul.
When he finished his press-up demonstration, I complemented him on his still youthful appearance.
April Hall has recorded a new introduction to her podcast interview with Jerry Butler. You can listen to it, or download it, through the usual channels.
Thanks to Catherine Tavel and Richard Pacheco for the generous use of their photos.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Jerry Butler – A Life in Photos
Jerry, with Richard Pacheco
Jerry, with Catherine Tavel, 1989
Jerry, with his dog, Little Guy, 1990
Jerry, with Catherine Tavel, Coney Island
Jerry, with Alice Springs
At the Abe Stark Skating Rink, Brooklyn, 1991
Jerry, at Harriman State Park, NY, 1992
Jerry, 1992
Jerry, in a photo from his MySpace page
Jerry, in a photo from his Facebook page, 2015
Jerry’s funeral
*
I’m sat with tears in my eyes at the realization that Jerry had died.
He was the best actor in adult film and a good person. I’m so sad.
Monkees fan? RIP Jerry
I know this is a couple years after he passed away but I just found out. I didn’t know Paul during his pornstar Fame but I didn’t need him while he was a school bus driver in Brooklyn. We met on a dating site in the early 2000s it was called singleparentmeet where I thought I was going to meet him nice no drama guy LOL that had a young child like I did. Mind you I did mean an amazing guy that had a few surprises for me to say the least oh, when he told me he was a pornstar to be honest I was intrigued. He would call me every morning while he was on the bus and sing to me love songs. He lived in New York and I lived in South Jersey. He would take the Greyhound to South Jersey we would have a great time. I once took him to an adult toy store as I would call it, as soon as we walked in the owner was behind the register and recognized him immediately within 10 minutes Paul’s shirt was off LOL. The owner wanted to make a film with me and Jerry yep that didn’t happen lol. Everywhere we went people knew him. Rest in peace Paul David Seiderman/Jerry Butler you will always have a special place in my heart♥️🦋
I just re-read what I wrote I was using voice recognition sorry so whoever was confused LOL
Hold on to the memories!
OMG!!!! I had no idea. This is is terrible news. In an industry populated with scumbags, Jerry Butler was a breath of fresh, happy, innocent air. One in a million.
Really, really, really sad to hear this.
One things for sure. The Rialto interview was a classic – and it is why we need this site.
Without it we’re left with shit liner notes from shit ‘historians’ from shit DVD companies.
Thank your for recording Jerry’s story with such grace.
Thank you so much Casey.
Hello April,
So sorry for the loss of a beautiful soul, Jerry Butler. Your interview was incredible! This is a brutal, honest, and compassionate story of Paul’s journey in life. April your soothing ,sensual voice and communication is amazing!
I love the 80’s adult industry. Jerry was awesome , ashamed
he didn’t go further in comedy , his timing perfection. The Rialto Report with you is pure magic!
April, you’re right; Fucking Cancer!
this is a tough one. how can Jerry Butler die? his autobiography is the most honest book written about male sexuality in the 20th century. honest about everyone and everything – especially himself. Ron Jeremy’s book reads like a resume and a rallying cry for the #metoo movement. You got to KNOW Jerry – crap and all.
I hope his kid got to meet him before his passing. We never have enough time, do we? don’t put off ANYTHING…
I loved this man.
And a shout out to Cathy Tavel, without whom his ground-breaking book would’t have been possible.
Sad, sad days.
Thank you for letting me get to know Jerry through this amazing interview with him
R.I.P.
A good man. I knew him, and he was truly a good man.
Awww. This makes me very sad. He was a real character in the movies and in real life to hear the tales. He told those tales so well. Fun to listen to,so much manic energy. Sad that Cathy and the RR were the only representation from the adult community there. Jerry was a credit to their industry when he was in it and after he left unlike some other performers. Thank you for sharing Jerry’s stories with all of us. I thoroughly enjoyed his podcasts,interviews and book. Not to mention his movies of course. His zest for life always came out through his characters.
R.I.P. Jerry. Thanks for entertaining me.
So, so sad. Just from the podcast alone, you could tell that he was a guy with a good heart. Such a shame to lose somebody like Jerry so young.
So sad. I hate sad endings, but most endings are sad. Thank you RR for fleshing out Jerry before and after his way to early passing.
Thank you Chamdirt.
RIP Jerry, he was still in great shape in those recent photos. I believe the girl sitting on the bed with him in the black and white photo was Aussie porn star Alice Springs? I also read his book and thought he was totally honest about the people in the porn industry, I remember he did not like Tony Montana at all and did not get along either with Chelsea Blake or Kimberly Carson, but had a fling with Nikki Randall. Yea, Ron Jeremy’s book was a PC waste of time but Jerry’s was raw and honest. I also remember him being one of the better character actors in the industry, thanks Jerry for your contribution to this industry.
Raw Talent was a great read. I was jealous that Jerry made love to so many ladies I loved (LOL). In Raw Talent, he spoke about Angel, who I think was an awesome, sexy lady. I wish we knew more about her, and her feelings about Jerry.
Yea, I remember Jerry talking about Angel too in his book, it sounded like she came from a bad family background. I thought it was interesting in the book that Jerry said he was not attracted to Kimberly Carson at all and didn’t like her as a person yet did some great scenes with her?
He had a fling with Vanessa Del Rio and Nikki Randall, two of my favorites, what a lucky guy. I thought it was pretty funny when he said he thought Chelsea Blake looked like Margaret Hamilton who played the witch in The Wizard of Oz. Raw Talent was very under rated, what other book about the porn industry has that kind of honesty, Jerry told it exactly how he saw it, no sugar coating, that’s what made his book such a good read.
I think Jerry’s book said Angel was with some abusive guy who chained her up like a dog.
I saw a film years ago (2000 or so) that said “Goodbye Angel, we hardly knew ya” after the credits.
Any possibility she’s not alive anymore? Inquiring minds want to know.
Angel his still alive, Vintage erotica forum posted a recent photo of her and she was still very pretty. I would like to know what Crystal Breeze and Nikki Randall look like today?
80s guy, do you have a link to that recent Angel photo?
Thanks
http://vintage-erotica-forum.com/t19312-p13-angel.html
Here is Angel today
Thanks, but that low-res contemporary Angel photo is unusual, looks almost like a computer generated photo they use for abducted kids.
“Angel” is also known as Jennifer James. She was Penthouse Pet of the Month in October 1985. Here’s some more info about her: http://www.boobpedia.com/boobs/Jennifer_James
Such a great actor and he seemed to be a great guy. So sad!!
Can you post a link to the Angel picture? I don’t know the other two actresses. I saw the Vintage Erotica thread
but only saw mention of Angel *Kelly*.
You don’t know Crystal Breeze and Nikki Randall? They are two of the best looking girls from the 80’s, both beauties burst on the scene in 1984 and both made brief comebacks around 1995. Nikki Randall came out of retirement to appear in that John Wayne Bobbitt disaster!
Jerry was an fantastic character, the podcast interview with him will now stand as a great memorial to that. Raw Talent? Damn right he was.
Mr. Paul Siederman A True Original RIP .
We made 10 real xxx movies. He always knew his character and lines verbatim. A prince of the Golden Age will be sorely missed by me. Jerry always treated me so wonderfully. A true gent. His humor made the oft grueling hours go bye so quickly with his rapid fire humor. Good night old friend. See you later.
Beautiful tribute. Thank you so much for doing this. It was a pleasure for “Catherine Tavel” to supply you with photos. A big shout-out goes to Richard Pacheco, who so kindly shared his pics from his personal stash taken behind the scenes of BAD GIRLS IV/NICE GIRLS DO. It meant a lot to me to see April and Ashley at Jerry’s funeral. And I know this will mean a lot to his family.
Wow! A shame that most performers in the adult film industry are not recognized as the genuine celebrities they are. Read Jerry’s book a few years ago, a pretty good read and a real eye opener. Nobody gets out alive, but I hope despite his illness, he found some degree of genuine happiness. RIP.
So terribly sad, Jerry will be missed!
Like his book title… he was Raw Talent. I chatted with him a couple of times on the phone during call in sessions to Bill Margold’s radio show. What a handful, but a tragic loss.
A very nice tribute to Jerry. I did not know Jerry but felt like I did after listening to the podcast, he seemed like a very genuine person with a zest for life. It’s sad that no one from the Adult industry came to his funeral. He was an integral part of it’s history.
He certainly was Marek.
This one *is* hard to take.
What I liked most about Jerry was precisely that he *was* a flawed guy. He came across as insecure in the masterful Rialto audio interview – and that made him all the more appealing and sweet. He came across as crazy and manic at times, but that made him all the more entertaining and engaging.
He was unique. A sad clown. But a beautiful human. And that’s more than could be said for many.
Thank you Cathy, and The Rialto Report for two of the definitive accounts of an adult film career.
Jerry / Paul: you are missed, but have been superbly served by these chroniclers.
xxx
Thank you Glen.
Shocking. Just out of the blue. And 58 is nothing. Too young, way too young.
RIP, Jerry. Your images will live on.
🙁
I’ll never forget reading raw talent and being completely riveted. The first film I think I saw him in was In Love. He had a great vulnerability and likability on screen.
Very sad news
That fascinating RR interview (thank you Team Rialto) the honesty was refreshing and truly reflected Paul’s complex, whirlwind early years with the clear coexistence of chutzpah and self-doubt. As for talent, it was there in abundance.
RIP and SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND!!
Thank you Lit.
The interview is absolutely incredible. Jerry seems like such a passionate and genuine human being when he speaks. Also very brave to challenge gender conditioning. It’s too bad that he didn’t become a psychologist or an educator or something… Because it seems like he had a very strong desire to connect with human beings.
I think he put those skills to good use with everyone he met. Thank you Kolby.
A terrific all around actor. Im stunned to hear he has passed
I thought where Jerry really shined was on the several TV talk shows he did back in the 80’s and early 90’s. Jerry stole the show every time with his quick wit and overall energy and charm.
When I heard he had a book out, I immediately wanted it and managed to track down a copy via the phone book where I found a book store in Fullerton, California special order it for me around the time it came out
“Raw Talent” did not disappoint. I found it fascinating, insightful and brutally honest. Ive read it several times and it never it gets old.
I later tracked down a DVD from 2003 that had Jerry doing an extended interview. I was laughing so hard my stomach started to hurt. So witty and quick, its almost surreal. If Jerry went into standup instead of porn I believe he would have been one of the best ever, and would have his own hit sitcom on a major network.
Jerry Butler was one of a kind.
This is startling. I would have expected Jerry Butler to have a third go-around on the movie exposition circuit [e.g.: Cinema Wasteland].
My copy of "Raw Talent" (the tome), the revised 1992 paperback edition, is perched on a table behind me to my left, atop David F. Friedman’s "A Youth In Babylon".
I can recommend you listen or download the Projection Booth’s "Raw Talent" (the movie) podcast. There is also a bonus interview of Jerry available.
An old friend of mine was actually an acquaintance of his here in Brooklyn. They talked exclusively about hockey (as I believe Jerry did try out for the NY Rangers at some point).
No disrespect to other male performers of his era, but thought back in the day Jerry was by far the best looking male performer on screen by a country mile. But, as Rialto Report always does, it provides a great picture of who these people are as human beings beyond the screen.
Condolences to his loved ones.
So sad. I really liked him.
r ip
Another voice is silent.
Speak to your fans before you are silent too. We want to hear your story.
Please?
Raw talent was a good book, and he seemed a character. There seems to be a great interest about Angel in the comments since his passing. Does Rialto Report have any info on her now?
One guy posted a photo above of her that looked computer generated or phony but scrolling
around there (his thread) was a much better contemporary photo of her. Presumably she’s still kicking.
In the photo that looked phony (just underneath) there’s a story where she blackmailed some producer into doing what she wanted or she’d go to the cops with a kiddy porn complaint (since she looked really young…but cops said she was 18.) I get the feeling she could be a real bitch.
What a wonderful podcast you had with him. So very sad! It’s so sad that those from the 70’s-80’s are leaving us and I’m so grateful to the Rialto Report for these interviews and learning where they are in their lives now. Thanks again!
I always thought Jerry was one of the more handsome stars from the classic period.
He always stood out in his films.
I am 60 years old. I remember him for his screen presence and acting ability. I don’t remember all the “sex stuff”. That’s what set him apart from the others. I hope someone makes a movie about his life. I’m glad he found peace in the latter years of his life. However, it’s ultimately a story that shows how unfair life can be. The interview was outstanding.
We really appreciate that Rich – thank you!
Been thinking about Paul a lot lately…
The world is full of ironies. A perfect example is the fact that the best porno actor who ever lived was also the most innocent, old-school and sensitive soul one could ever know.
Jerry/Paul was my roommate in LA for several years in the early-to-mid 90s, a time that was surely the lowest period of his life. As one might imagine, I have a lot of funny stories and memories of the guy.
Unique doesn’t begin to describe him. The most amazing thing about him was how much he truly LOVED people. All people. It’s not an easy thing to do these days and I always envied him for that.
I just wish I could tell him how very sorry I am not to have been there for him in his last year. He was an emotional person with an genuine passion for life. I can’t think of anyone I’d less want to have cancer.
But I’ve found that people who are too good for this World, somehow often don’t stay long.
R.I.P. my brother.
Thanks for taking the time to share that Victor.
I new Jerry but not long, he would come in to the pharmacy I work in to get his meds, I remember how thin he got and one day I saw him while I was on a break and he showed me his scar, I told him I’d pray for him and he said not to, no god would do this so I apologized and then heard of his passing, I thought he was so hot, I never knew he was a porn star and in the back of my mind how I wished he would live so I can well you know….. He made me a shirt with the Puerto Rican flag in a heart shaped, how I wish I still had it. RIP Paul.
Thank you for sharing your memories Martha!
Due to his obvious acting talent and good looks Jerry was probably the only male porn actor who could have made it in the mainstream
Where can I get a copy of his book it sounds like a good read
Had no idea he was gone….he was a great guy….god rest his soul
Repose en paix petit ange… Tu es parti rejoindre tous les autres pour faire de gros câlins aux déesses au paradis…
Gros bisous de France….
I just learned this today. He was wild, crazy (as a kid he had squeezed Super Glue into the keyholes of everyone’s door on his floor) , a bit twisted and a fun guy to work with. Very out-going. So sorry he had to go from cancer.
Ron Jeremy probably now wishes he took Jerry’s “brotherly” criticism to heart.
I remember meeting Paul Siederman when I was working at Nathans in Coney Island back in 1988 his father Sol Siederman was a waiter who worked there while he also gave pay checks every Friday this is a total shock to the system I can’t believe he’s gone I know a son survives Paul aka Jerry Butler because he mentioned it to me his name is Thomas he also mentions it in his book Raw Talent that Thomas is the result of his relationship with a make up artist.
Thank you so much for this very interesting interview. I learned more from this interview about Paul than anything on the internet could provide. Very bittersweet, as it really seems like a career in more mainstream TV or films might have changed his life for the better. I guess that’s hindsight, since the career he did have seemed to bring a mixture of pleasure and emptiness. I hope to read his book one day. Thanks again for this very thoughtful interview. Jerry (Paul) was indeed a real gem. Rest in peace.
Thank you so much Julie – we really appreciate it.
I acted with Jerry/Paul in about 30 films.
In RAW TALENT he describes a three-way
That we had with a young girl named Sulve.
Jerry was definitely unique! His favorite comedian was Andrew Dice Clay.
His favorite food was the hot dog.
I tried finding him for years and today
June 27, 2021
I discovered this site and all of the great
Tributes. To my old buddy Jerry.
He told me he chose the name Jerry Butler because he liked the Temptations
He used to love doing scenes with my porn girlfriend Crystal Breeze.
Crystal owns a beer company now and changed her name.
My name in porn was Jay Serling
Miss ya Jerry!
Hello John, I’m Francesco Borseti, an Italian published author. I’m writing a guide to the Hollywood cult B-movies of the eighties; it touches the adult film industry too. I’d be happy to ask you a few questions, but I don’t know your real name! So, if you read my message and are interested in participating feel free to reach me at my email address:
f.borseti1981@gmail.com Thank you!
Correction
The Impressions not The Temptations
While I never knew Paul, a friend I’d lost touch with for 38 years happened to mention today how much he loved working with him in ’78 in a play called “Feydeau”.
How I wish there were still more interviews of this depth and quality! He truly seems to have been a grand gent with a great sense of humor and heart!
I’m gay as a day in May, but I watched str8 porn for years. I’m from a small town in rural north Florida. Our little video store had str8 porn, but no all male titles. Jerry Butler was my favorite str8 porno guy. He had the hottest body of the 80’s –I have a major thing for body hair and blondes. Jerry was it. I still love “Pink Lagoon” and Jerry always “gets me there.”
I too was shocked to hear of his passing.
I know watched his “Raw Talent” videos with Ron Jeremy (turns out porn and martial arts is not the best mix.) I need to get his book.
Rest Easy Paul!
Thorleif
Jerry wrote a very intriguing book , he spoke about RON JEREMY basically saying he was a predator which turned out to be TRUE the Adult Industry black balled Jerry out of the industry for writing about RON JEREMY , It was noted no one from the Adult Film industry went to JERRY’S funeral.
That in its self is a DISGRACE.
Jerry was the James Dean of erotica. A naturally gifted actor who was always unpredictable. Unlike his contemporaries, he actually cared about how he looked onscreen. As a fellow Sheepshead Bay Bklynite and brethren, I met Jerry by chance a number of times. I once told a waitress at the Nostrand Ave diner, “He’s a big star, treat him good!” eh Jerry laughed. eh I still say that “Raw Talent” is the best erotic film ever made. It plays like a good B-movie. Unfortunately, all the Politically Incorrect scenes were deleted in the re-release. Boggles the mind that PCness would seep into the erotic world as well. RIP Paul Seiderman – you’ve gone to that great Jewish porn star gig in the sky
I never meet Jerry but fell to the floor when he lost his virginity at that place I to lost mine at 16 but I was told the name was the 10.40 club when I went rip paul
I use to hang out with Jerry and he lived with me in between his leaving and fighting with Lisa. One story that sums him up to me is.. we went into a Thrifty’s and when in the check out line an older lady cashier asked Jerry how he was doing today, He instantly said, “not so good, this morning i fucked myself in the ass and gave myself AIDS!”
Wow, that is quintessential Jerry – thanks for sharing!
Fantastic interview April! Love the Doo Wop music choices and ending with Jerry Butler’s For Your Precious Love! Amazing!
Thanks so much MistyK!
So Sorry to hear of his passing. I hate to hear of people passing from cancer related causes, especially when it sneaks up on that person, and it’s too late to treat.
I’m 100% hetero, but he was an extremely handsome well built guy, but when it comes to cancer it doesn’t matter how good of a shape your physique is in, cancer doesn’t care, it’ll take whoever it wants.
My sincerest condolences to his family, and friends,
D.P.