Celebrated gay porn star and former Falcon Studios performer Cameron Fox has died, according to several industry insiders within the gay porn community. He was 36-years-old.
The Texas native reportedly entered the gay porn industry in 1999 at the ripe age of 22. He quickly became known for his performance and endowment, racking up at least two awards before leaving the industry in 2006. News of his death began circulating on social media yesterday, though no official cause of death has been reported.
A gay porn reviewer at the blog Chronicles of Pornia remembers Fox fondly:
There was a time during the 1990?s gay porn industry pantheon when stars were truly stars whom did not need to pander for adult fame, rather, they simply let their work speak loudly and proudly.
Cameron Fox was one such person.
….
I never once felt as though Cameron was phoning in a performance. He was virile, engaged and present at all times. He gave more than 100% to his action scenes. Fox knew how to give his partners and his fans what they wanted to see. The mark of a real porn star.
Our condolences to Fox’s family and fans.
Update: Falcon Studios has confirmed the news:
RIP Cameron Fox.
— Falcon Studios (@FalconStudiosPR) June 17, 2014
money718
RIP
Billy Budd
Drugs or suicide?
Desert Boy
What is it with all these porn stars dying in their 30’s?
redcarpet
Porn has a high attrition rate when it comes to those who fall into the drug trap. But on the bright side most people who do porn come out unscathed. The tragic stories are a minority.
tdx3fan
He is 36, there are not many options that equate to natural causes. I’m going to venture a guess this was either drugs or suicide or both. Perhaps it was a tragic accident or murder.
What a horrible way to live your life and what a horrible age to die at.
Yes, I still watch gay porn, and yes that last statement makes me a hypocrite.
sothikkitzsikk
You are Wrong. I am from Tulsa Oklahoma where he Lived and Unfortunatly Cameron Died of Complications to Aids. He was extremely sick and his poor fragile body could no longer fight off the infection.. You should really never assume that drugs and or sucide has something to do with it.. He will be missed by many..
barkomatic
@sothikkitzsikk: That’s sad to hear. I am amazed that with all the drugs available today that a young gay man can still die of complications from AIDS.
Jonathan26
@sothikkitzsikk: Well, there you go.
samwise343
@sothikkitzsikk: Many porn stars have died from drug use and some by suicide. Neither is out of the realm of impossibility. People are free to speculate until we hear from a reliable source. I’m presuming you are correct in saying what the cause was.
RIP Cameron Fox. You were hot.
DavidBin214
Cameron / Shane died from complications due to HIV. Yes there are MANY who do die from HIV even these days when medicine is so prevalent. It’s unfortunate that the majority of those who die from it either do not have or find the resources to pay for their medicine OR they just refuse to take their meds.
Shane will be missed. But let’s not let his death be marred by those who want to assume his death was caused by drugs or suicide. Neither are true.
A lesson to be learned for those who are suffering from this dreaded disease is that is you are prescribed meds for your HIV PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE continue taking your meds. Even if you don’t think you need them .. TAKE THEM. There is a reason they were prescribed.
But now let’s please mourn Cameron / Shane’s death by remembering him and his short life!
JayPreis
@barkomatic: Like all drugs, the HIV anti-viral drugs have side effects, and not everyone can handle the side effects. For all we know, he might have died from the side effects of anti-viral drugs.
JayPreis
@DavidBin214: There’s still no cure for AIDS. There are only various anti-viral drugs to suppress the HIV viral load in order to keep the immune system working. But like most drugs, HIV anti-viral drugs have side effects, and not everyone can handle the side effects. For all we know, he might have died from the side effects of the anti-viral drugs he was taking. Or maybe the anti-viral drugs he was taking didn’t work for him. Not all drugs are effective in all people.
JayPreis
@Desert Boy: Only the ones you’ve heard about died in their 30s.
MarionPaige
Gay Porn Marketing, it seems, has come down to Death, Crime and Reality TV. Who would have thunk that the least marketable thing about gay porn would be the actual gay porn?
Billy Budd
I will believe it was HIV when I read a report/news article.
Paco
I’ll admit that I have no idea who is who in the world of porn, but that doesn’t change the sorrow I feel for his friends and family. He died so young.
RIP Cameron
Throbert McGee
@JayPreis:
Furthermore, “co-infections” like Hep C and non-infectious “co-diseases” like diabetes may have a higher fatality rate in HIV+ people (even when the HIV itself is well-controlled and never progresses to AIDS) than in HIV- people — presumably because of cumulative stress on the body that’s on top of the stress caused by the antiviral meds.
And, arguably, if a person with HIV and Hep C dies from liver failure, the liver failure should be statistically counted as a complication of HIV (even though the primary cause of the liver failure was hepatitis, and even though the HIV had not progressed to AIDS).
Sebizzar
*sigh* This is too common :/
Rest in peace.
michael mellor
Cameron Fox is no star. Unfortunately, he appears to have died from some very poor choices that he made in his life. I wonder if illicit drugs played a part.
Billy Budd
To the person who affirmed he died of HIV related causes: How can you prove this? Is there any real evidence that he was HIV+ ? Please elaborate your argument.
I still think it is more probable that he died of OD or suicide.
DarkZephyr
@Billy Budd: Would you just please go away? Like, forever? Does anyone even like you?
DarkZephyr
@Billy Budd: Oops sorry, that was not meant for you, it was meant for @michael mellor:
Billy Budd
I want to add that I have absolutely nothing against porn stars. I still masturbate often watching them. I admire their beauty. And I don’t think their work is immoral, because it does not bring any damage to anyone, only pleasure.
I only worry that so many of them have trouble finding jobs after retiring (this is very unfair) and that so many of them have personal problems. The stygma of being a porn star should not exist.
Stache99
@sothikkitzsikk: I’m curious how you know. Were you friends or are you basing that off just by the way he looked.
I’ve been a drug addict myself and people used to think the same of me.
coltonblack
RIP – sorry to hear this happened.
michael mellor
You can suffer from immune deficiency without having HIV. Illicit drugs are known to cause immune deficiency. Not eating well can cause immune deficiency. Not sleeping enough can cause immune deficiency.
Take-home message: just because you have immune deficiency, it doesn’t mean you have HIV.
Teeth
First off– a guy is dead. A guy who most people say was pretty nice. So let’s maybe just wish his family and loved ones well, and be glad that his pain is over.
Secondly, the judgey crap about him having done porn is misguided. Many people get sick who have never done porn. He didn’t die of porn. So don’t be stupid. People make mistakes. Everyday in this country people die preventable deaths from lifestyle choices. Diabetes. Heart Disease. Stroke. Most Cancers. His errors were no less moral than the chubby Walmart crowd. Finally.. if it was AIDS, then I think it’s something we SHOULD talk about (latter), because so many gay men seem to think that meds have made AIDS a simple condition. It’s still a TERRIBLE disease, and destroys lots of lives. So either be safe or get on PreP. (imo).
Marc
@redcarpet: Seriously?? Sorry, but if they were unscathed, they would not have gone into porn. Sorry, I don’t sugar coat anything. I am not demeaning, because it is their choice, their life. But your ending to this story is rather naïve.
Marc
@tdx3fan: no, that does not make you a hypocrite. you enjoy what they are paid to do. their personal life is not your responsibility.
DarkZephyr
@Marc: I’m just curious to know how much research has gone into this for you to be making your expert not sugar coated, “non-naive”, statement cabout this and how many porn actors you have personally known to be so gospel certain that every porn actor that ever lived and ever shall live was “per-scathed” to have entered into porn in the first place. Thanks in advance.
jar
@Marc: What a facile comment. Who in the world is unscathed?
Marc
@DarkZephyr: To narrow that (over-worded) down, you’re asking how I know? I do not know. As I do not think REDCARPET knows they all come out unscathed. You are presumptuous to assume there are no other possible motives.
Marc
@jar: Exactly! I sure as hell not.
Marc
@jar: My initial comment was to REDCARPET’s saying people can come out of the porn industry unscathed.
Snapper59
The only thing I can believe here is that he is apparently dead. RIP.
I, too, would be interested to see something more than internet message board conjecture, like a formal obituary or newspaper story. I have my own to add btw: I spoke once to someone who was the bottom for him in a movie filmed that week: he said he was not nice, gay for pay, and higher than a kite.
Snapper59
In his escort “life” he was also a well-known AVOID – he ripped people off routinely, mostly with prepay and no-show.
Stache99
@Snapper59: Wow dude. Even if he did all the things you say who the f*ck cares. The only thing I’ve gathered from your queen gossip babbling is that you’re just a sad and pathetic POS. Next..
Marc
@Stache99: You sound pretty bitchy/queeny yourself in regards to Snapper59’s post. Who cares??? maybe the people that he ripped off while idiots assume it is not important. I suppose you can pick and select which sins who you forgive, as long as it did not effect you.
Stache99
@Marc: Please. Lol No sh*thead. I would just write it off considering the circumstances. As any decent person would.
Stache99
@Marc: You guys go ahead and gossip on. I won’t respond. Lets hear who he’s cheated with and whatever other trivial BS you can add. My apologies.
BECQueerty
He was beautiful. I thank him for sharing his beauty and sexuality for the rest of us. May his soul find everlasting peace and happiness among the stars.
DarkZephyr
@Marc: I’m not the one presuming anything, buddy-boy. It was you who did that by declaring that *every* porn star ever has been pre-scathed before even entering into porn. I find it ironic that your answer to what you feel was a too-sweeping statement based on not enough information was to make a too-sweeping statement based on not enough information.
michael mellor
Porn is not about sexuality. It’s about prostitution.
Stache99
@Snapper59: No. You were not there. You heard some gossip on some message board is all. Then you repeated it like you were there. No one here cares except for your fellow gossip gurl friend Marc.
MrsPatrickCampbell
Either drugs (aka “AID$) or knowing too much about someone or something (aka “suicide”).
hash
@Teeth:
He was a very nice guy. We used to live near each other. He loved to sing, he was generous with his time, he had a great sense of humor. I knew him for a long time before I knew he was an actor, I assume because the was afraid I might judge him. He liked to drink, and if he liked to do other things he was considerate enough to keep that out of our friendship. He was not gay for pay. He was a vibrant, friendly, sweet, proud gay man and I will miss him.
seaguy
So tacky and rude to the deceased to openly speculate about causes of death especially when making statements like he died of a drug overdose, or he died of AIDS when you do not know that for sure. And why is it anyones business anyway?
How would you like it if you died suddenly and everyone was speculating like they are above?
seaguy
@michael mellor: And your little miss perfect are you bitch?
seaguy
@Snapper59: And you know this from having hired him and been ripped off? OR are you just being a gossip and have no idea if what your say8ing if even true?
Careful Karma’s a bitch and she will come back to haunt you if you’re spreading lies about the dead.
sportyguy1983
Poor/irresponsible life choices have consequences.
joey
i met this guy several years ago in Hollywood, i was at the gay porn awards — a friend in porn took me along– he was a very kind sweet guy. he was hot and even posed for several (“fun”) pictures with me too. the next month after that i was in san fran for pride and chi chi invited me up on her float for more pictures. he was there and we spent a bit of the afternoon together. again he was very sweet and kind. his friends in porn gave him the nick name “Hollywood”. as far as some saying hiv drugs can kill you too thats not very true today, i have friends on hiv drugs and most everyone is fine these drugs have come a long way, if he died because he wasnt able to treat his hiv thats sad..
YouGoGurl
The fact that he is being lauded as some kind of celebrity for fucking or getting fucked on camera is laughable to begin with. And as one who is old enough to have been his father, whose entire social circle (but one or two), including ex-boyfrineds and partners, had died from this disease, and who had worked tirelessly on education and protested in the streets, etc., long before this ‘celebrity’ came of sexual age — I find it both insulting and pathetic that he died of AIDS. I was lucky. He was stupid. Of course, there are exceptions, but very few. Sometimes I wonder what it was all about, if anyone remembers the thousands of dead and infected during the 70’s and early 80’s, has anyone been listening or did anyone even care? Why have we allowed new infections (not to mention the upsurge in gonorrhea) to be accepted without speaking out so as not to seem politically incorrect? What a world. I don’t know … reading the infighting here and the cause of death etc brought back so many painful memories and difficult lessons. That’s life, I guess.
That said, it doesn’t make his passing any less sad or heartbreaking.
Franco C.
Why does it matter how he died? The fact of the matter, he has. Of course it’s very sad when someone so young passes away but not uncommon. Rather than theorize about how it happened, remember that someone is gone and it has a lasting impact on his family, friends and all those who loved him.
Snapper59
@seaguy: There was a gay porn message board called ATKOL back in the early 90s which was quite popular and frequented by ChiChi LaRue and “pornstars” and agents and really was the first place I knew of where the underbelly of the industry was openly discussed. That’s what I’m remembering. Sorry if it bothers you. I said it was conjecture except for the person I talked with first person who worked with him and wasn’t complimentary. That happened. I was there.
Stache99
@sportyguy1983: About what I expected from you. I’ll be sure to write a fitting eulogy for you too.. “Being a judgmental as*hole has consequences.”
Stache99
@seaguy: Michael Mellor is our resident troll. Used to go as Jimbryant till he got kicked off. Best not to take him serious.
vive
Very sad to hear. Condolences to family and friends.
I think Queerty should either moderate or close comments to death announcements out of basic respect, since there are always some evil people commenting who have no basic human decency. After all, Queerty routinely closes comments on other items that are totally trivial in comparison.
crowebobby
A side note: It’s pretentious as hell to use “whom” when speaking/writing American English, but if you insist upon using it, try to use it correctly
Lovelife
He was gorgeous. No disrespect to him, but why does protection continue to be an “unsexy” thing to do
Throbert McGee
@Franco C.:
ASSUMING that his death was in some way HIV-related, then it “matters,” arguably, because he was 22 when he got into porn in 1999, which means that he was about eight years old in 1985, when the Surgeon General sent out that letter to every household in America advising anal sex appeared to transmit HIV more effectively than vaginal or oral sex, and that condoms were an effective means of protection. It matters that some people continue to be reckless and lackadaisical about safer-sex guidelines that have been well-established and well-publicized since the mid-’80s.
That said, ASSUMING that Fox was HIV+, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions about safe-sex practices (or lack thereof) at the studio(s) where Fox worked as a porn performer. (There are many known examples of porn actors who caught HIV from whatever they did when “off the clock” in their personal lives, and not as a result of unsafe sex on the porn set.)
jar
@crowebobby: That’s pretty assinine. If using whom properly is pretentious in your world, I suggest you upgrade.
vive
@Throbert McGee, I find it inappropriate to turn someone’s tragic death from known or unknown causes into an opportunity to insert some moral statement blaming victims of this terrible virus for bringing it on themselves.
ShowMeGuy
Damn…..what a rabid pack of bitter queens.
DarkZephyr
@Throbert McGee: Assuming is not knowing.
paul88ks
i knew Shane personally,back in the early 2000’s at the Hideway Club in dallas-to me he was always nice and respectful- actually a pretty dam good singer at open mic night-back in the day.I am truly saddened by his death at such a young age.I do not presume to know the cause of his death, the information is not clear at this time- although several people here claim to know the cause of his demise. I am saddend from what i read that he will be cremated and no memorial-He dserves the respect of a human being that lived and died- maybe he made some bad choices – but haven’t we all? i would hope and pray that his family would at least give a memorial- everyone deserves respect in death.I have a sickening feeling that his family disowned him- according to the responce they gave media.Dear Family of Shane- give him the honor of a decent burial.Life is short- and i don’t care if he was a porn star- deep down he was a good guy- may he rest in peace and don’t judge him- that is not our place- Paul
paul88ks
i also remember Shane coming to me to see if I would help him make a CD- around 2005- he was trying to start a musical career- and he had the talent- outside of porn- to do it- but he left town shortly after that – and I did not hear from him again- until I read this article- I hope and pray that he found peace.What a sad day! I will remember him with is Good looks -boyish charm- and a talent undiscovered in music! Peace- Shane- I was glad to know you1 By the Way- I am a professional pianist so thats why he approached me to make a demo of him singing- but it never came to fruition- i am sorry – I am just shocked and bewildered about what happened to him!
Marc69
I had the privilege of knowing and loving Shane. We met in 1995 when he was just 18. He had a fake ID and got into a 21+ club. It was very late and he approached me and asked me to dance. Just as we took to the dance floor the final song started. It was a ballad and he immediately put his arms around me. He asked for my number but didn’t have pen or paper. He remembered it and called me 1st thing in the morning. We dated for a short time and he always called me his 1st Love…something I have always cherished. It was Shane’s decision to move to Dallas and it was mine to stay in Tulsa. Although many miles and years separated us, we were never far from each other and continued to Love one another until his recent death. Shane visited me for the last time in 2011 and we did nothing but walk the beach, talk and share memories for 3 days. He continuously thanked me for always wanting the best for him, loving him unconditionally and always pushing him to finish school. He was and always will be just Shane to me… a beautiful, kind, compassionate, fun spirited, loving young man. Although most will have his pics and movies to remember him… His true beauty and spirit could never be captured in a photograph or on film. He was incredibly special.
Sebizzar
@Marc69: :'( Thank you for sharing (and to the rest of you who knew him personally thank you too) I’ve read each story and it makes this more and more sad.
DickieJohnson
This queer is REALLY starting to dislike queers! A gay man has died, and all of this moralizing bullsh*t and speculation is useless and disgusting. RIP Cameron, no more f@gs to deal with!
Franco C.
@Throbert McGee: Hmmm… I don’t think his health is really anyone’s business. Just worry about yourself.
Random
@Throbert McGee The fact is, if you have sex then you are at risk of contracting HIV.
Stating that becoming positive is because people were ‘reckless and lackadaisical’ is extremely judgmental and only adds to the stigma around the disease. Studies have shown that stigma prevents people from getting tested and disclosing their status, both factors which lead to more people becoming infected – something I assume you don’t wish to happen(?).
Aside from that, it hasn’t been confirmed that Cameron Fox was HIV+ let alone died of anything associated with the virus, so your soap boxing about his death is not only extremely distasteful but also possibly inaccurate too.
Disagreeing with the homosexual lifestyle choice
AIDS: Kills Fags Dead.
What a surprise? Another sicko confused sodomite pervert dies of AIDS. No big loss.
The homosexual lifestyle choice spreads diseases and recruits kids.
Random
@Disagreeing with the homosexual lifestyle choice:
Two things:
1) Anyone, gay or straight, can contract sexually acquired diseases
and
2) Please cite your evidence that shows that ‘a homosexual lifestyle choice….recruits kids’. The whole world is is geared up for and promotes heterosexuality, and yet gay people still have same sex desires, many in spite of wishing they didn’t, which is why many gay people feel they have to hide their sexuality. So, if you have any scientific proof that gay people are recruiting children then please post it, otherwise I suggest you stop spreading your bigotry and hatred.
Sebizzar
Am I the only one unable to flag a comment? Clearly a troll got in here and Queerty should not allow comments like that to stay.
geoffjg3
RIP Big Boy!! Too YOUNG!!!!!
tusgold
that is one post we could do without!
da90027
Another post about someone dying young and all that is discussed are all the non relevant topics above, instead of just saying sorry to hear that or what a shame we have all this moralizing etc. I’ve known guys that got HIV from condoms breaking so there you go…the only safe sex is no sex. And all these hypocrites that watch gay porn then start dissecting and making judgements about the lives of those involved is revolting. Who needs straight people hating gays when most gay men do such a good job of it themselves.
Clark35
May he rest in peace. I’m not surprised that as a guy who did porn and prostitution as people who do porn make more money whoring on the side than from filming became HIV+.
bigboynow
@JayPreis: This is something that’s rarely talked about. I went on prep this year and ended up with liver failure. I had to get an ultrasound done to make sure I didn’t get fatty liver. My body didn’t respond well to Truvada. If I had to keep take it I would have ended up with fatty liver. Good think I was just taking prep to feel safer. I just stopped taking it, but if I was hiv+ I wouldn’t have that luxury. I’d need to keep taking hiv medication till my liver failed on me. Now that I know my body does not respond well to hiv medication, I’m even more safe. For me, hiv would lead to an early death due to the side effects.
ErikO
Rest in peace.
@bigboynow: Yes PreP is extremely toxic and has negative short and long term side effects.
Random
@ErikO:
No, PreP is NOT ‘extremely toxic’. Like it all drugs it MAY have side effects, but many people have taken Truvada as part of their HIV regimen, without coming to harm.
Very few thing in life are 100% safe – you can overdose on water – but that doesn’t mean to say they should all be disregarded. So stop fear-mongering just to suit your own agenda.
Random
@bigboynow: Whilst Truvada is a widely prescribed for people with HIV – and one which the majority tolerate very well – there are alternatives meaning you wouldn’t have to rely on that drug if you ever were to become HIV+.
So, panic over.
Phew!