With Laid Bare, Gus Mattox Turns A New Trick
When someone starts making generalizations about porn stars, I point them to Tom Judson. Tom — in his porn incarnation Gus Mattox — isn’t an exception in porn, but he is exceptional. Not only is he fairly serious and somewhat sober (he makes a great negroni), he’s also tremendous raconteur, a Broadway vet, an accomplished composer and a brilliantly funny writer. He didn’t get into the business because he was strung out or desperate for cash; he did so for the reason that most people do: because he thought it’d be fun.
He retired in 2006, after only two years in the business and taking home the GayVN for Performer of the Year (at age 45. Exceptional.). Now he’s out with “Laid Bare” — a collection of previous published essays on Moon River, baling hay, his and turning tricks at the Waldorf-Astoria. He’s Holly Golightly by way of David Sedaris, pulling essays from sources as disparate as Unzipped Magazine and (Actor’s) Equity News. And for only $2.99 for the digital version, he’s the cheapest thrill you’re going to get online, and the only one that will last past the tissue.
Laid Bare: Essays and Observations (via Amazon)
– Mike
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Always loved this guy. wish one day he’ll return to make more porn.
My too! I don’t think I have ever read a negative thing about Gus. If I read his bio correctly, he is a trained actor (sings and dances) that has been on Broadway. I least I’m not reading another negative report about another porn star in jail for muder. At 45, he’s good looking, has taken care of his body, and has still got it. Way to go Gus.
John
Tom J. here… Nice to read such kind comments. Thanks for that. Full disclosure though: on 11/14 I’ll be celebrating my–gulp–51st birthday.
Sure do hope you order the book and that you enjoy it. And thanks again for the nice words.
That was my awkward prose. Gus won the GayVN Peformer of the Year at 45, in 2006. Trust me, he’s only gotten more handsome in the years since.
[...] With Laid Bare, former porn star Gus Mattox turns a new [...]
I have always thought that Gus?tom’s life & mine ran parallel…I tried once to contact him & get pointers on BOTH my lives..but his website email address went nowhere. JUST missed his show in Ptown this year as well.
Hoping to make contact one day,….in the meantime, the book will have to do.