Usually, there’s nothing more cringe inducing than when a porn star announces he’s “acting” in a movie, especially when the movie is from a first time writer/director and is premiering at Outfest. Wince-worthy images come to mind of stiffly-delivered dialogue and home video quality “film making.” However, in the curious case of Frankie Valenti, formerly known as porn legend Johnny Hazzard, the transition from adult entertainer to legit actor has been shockingly painless. In director Wade Gasque’s Tiger Orange (which screens at Outfest July 18), Valenti makes his mainstream debut as Todd, a lovable fuck-up who has returned to his small town, lugging all his baggage of failures from the big city. With the help of his more buttoned-up, gay, older brother Chet; played by Mark Strano together they hash out their Daddy issues and forgive each other for the very different paths they chose to take. Queerty caught up with Valenti to discuss the new movie and challenges faced by adult film actors who move on to mainstream filmmaking.
I was pleasantly surprised by your performance in the film. I’m not gonna lie, I was worried.
Which is always the consensus. When you hear “porn star starts acting,” you think train wreck.
How did you prepare for this part?
How about we take this to the next level?
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Well, I had done other stuff before this, like on The Lair. Mark sought me out. We rehearsed and Wade talked me through some points but the role was similar to my own life. It kind of felt like I was playing myself which was a good role for my first one for sure.
Can mainstream acting and porn acting go hand in hand?
I suppose they could. I think at some point you have to choose one or the other because, they may be one in the same but they are also very different.
Have you officially retired from porn?
I’m phasing myself out. I’ve been in the industry for ten years now. Believe it or not it’s good for my taxes. I file as an entertainer, so I need projects to come stemming from that, some form of income from entertainment.
Is porn more lucrative than acting?
No. Porn is not more lucrative than acting and that’s one of the reasons why I want to get out of it. The money just went down hill. That’s purely it. I mean there are new porn stars every day, but the ones that I grew up with, and worked with we’ve all had to go on and do other things.
What is the major difference between being on a porn set vs. a movie set?
They have their similarities, I mean you’re performing in front of a camera. You have your marks you have your lines (sometimes), your lighting. On a basic level it’s the same. But ironically I am showing more by showing less in this project. It’s nice not having to worry that your angles are wrong. In porn you can’t hide behind a sweater. I mean it’s all right there. And also this [movie] took a little over two years from the moment they asked me to the last day. We had a to do a kickstarter campaign. Then we did two major shoots. So it was quite a process. I enjoyed it for the most part. I am curious to see the finished product.
You haven’t seen it yet?
I’m saving it for the big screen.
But wait, does that mean you haven’t seen your own porn?
I have not. Most guys I know, do not [watch]. Because we are all so hyper critical that seeing that would throw us in a tail spin.
Does that mean you’re nervous?
I am. But my nerves don’t stem from whether or not people are going to like it. It’s just the general experience. It’s going to be a good movie. I know that.
I have heard of a lot of porn stars, going in to hiding. Why acting?
Acting found me. It just fell in to my lap. Had I not gone in to acting I probably would have gone in to hiding. Not like totally hiding but I would just want to be in that area anymore.
What’s your next project?
Not sure. We’ll see how the masses feel about this performance and how it’s received.
Watch the Tiger Orange teaser trailer below.
DarkZephyr
Awww, I love him and will always be a fan whatever he decides. I hope everything works out for him.
Geeker
I thought he’s already retired from porn a couple of years ago,did he start up again recently?
Cam
Hey, if he can act and gets parts, then more power to him.
michael
The trailer shows some promise.
At least, what is shown here is not downright embarrassingly bad,
as so many lo-budget “gay” films are. Are both of these brothers gay?
Recycled cliche alert: “I have nowhere else to go!” (Richard Gere, An Officer and a Gentleman)
vive
He’s been in the industry for more than 10 years, LOL.
Desert Boy
He’s so cute. Too much ink but, still cute.
Amalgamate
He wont make it mainstream. His talent is in porn
MarionPaige
“I’ve got no where else to go?” The big scene from An Officer and a Gentleman? I guess they think the young ones won’t make the connection.
blackberry finn
Love Johnny! At the same time, i’m reminded afresh that acting’s about a lot more than good looks. Natural actors are damn hard to find. Easy to forget that fact till you see a really good looking actor who can’t act.
redcarpet
Is he gay-for-pay?
SteveDenver
Valenti still looks like Hazzard and judging from the trailer, there’s not much distance between the screen personas.
It’s too bad the Roger Ebert-penned book “I REALLY REALLY HATE YOUR FILM” isn’t required reading for fledgling filmmakers and actors. In one golden passage, Ebert recommends that two takes of each scene be filmed: whatever the director and actor think is right, and exactly the opposite. Imagine if the small town brother had delivered half his histrionic lines with quiet intensity instead of everything being a blow-up.
Paco
Oh my… The level of acting skills shown in the trailer left me speechless. Just superb.
MarionPaige
Ebert had a contest with the other reviewer on his show to create a short “film”. The other reviewer created something original while Ebert, as I recall, did a rip off of Citizen Kane. In short, old school movie reviewers like Ebert I think are pretty much recognized now as having been full of shit. Manny movies now considered classics were panned by critics. Blade Runner was a box office failure. When Ebert lost his voice, the mechanical voice on the device he used has an English accent. I mean seriously, what a bloated ass.
DarkZephyr
@redcarpet: He’s gay.
JJ24
@redcarpet: According to his twitter he is a gay man.
Dxley
I seriously have no idea who the f-ck you’re talking about. I could use a little Tom Daley in here; it’s getting a bit boring, and I need something to look at.
redcarpet
Oh good! @DarkZephyr:
masc4masc
I never watch his porn either.
hassia
I am curious so because the line “I’ve got no where else to go” was in another movie it can’t be used?
Cobalt Blue
If I was an actor that had been at school to learn and refine my skills I would be offended to play with a former male prostitute. The same as movie-goer: I like ‘my actors ‘ with a good reputation.
Cam
@Cobalt Blue:
No, if you were an actor you would be grateful to just get a part as most are.
Teeth
I don’t know his porn (honestly.. not anti porn, I just don’t know him).. but I have one of his singles, for some reason, on one of my workout mixes. It’s pretty good. But now that I see he associated with “HIV =”, I’m all done with him.
mikeandrewsdantescove
Previously, Johnny was an actor on The Lair (HereTV). His acting skills were quite questionable. Both Colton Ford and Dylan Vox (Brad Benton) put him to shame. Mr. Hazzard rolled out on single with a remix, Deeper Into You. I bought the remix as I liked. To have a porn past, gets you publicity and a built in fan base.
Teeth
@mikeandrewsdantescove: I’ve no idea how I got so many porn guys on my workout lists, but I actually really like Colton’s music.
Dxley
This ought to be hazzardous!
siltor67
more power to him.never heard of him though. i think i’d be turned off dating a guy who actually knows the names of gay porn stars..though the tattoos are hot, i dont think he’ll get many roles unless he can cover them up with make up. im sure there are quickie acting classes he can take on the cheap..
Evilklown13
OK looks like a great emotional movie. Really looking forward to it, but wheres the info. When is it coming out and where. Theaters are so lacking in good material today. Nothing but remakes and Super Hero movies. We need more of these.