Dror Barak, a 38-year-old former gay-porn star who performed under the name Roman Ragazzi, took his own life this past Saturday.
Back in 2007, the New York Post outed Barak for leading a double life as an employee of the Israeli consulate and as a gay porn star. He was subsequently fired from the consulate.
Later in the year, Barak/Ragazzi seemed to come to terms with his new life as a gay man, starting a personal training company called Freedom Fitness.
GayPornBlog.com broke the story yesterday, confirming with multiple industry insiders. The blog also spoke with Raging Stallion head Chris Ward, who had some kind words and high praise for Barak:
How about we take this to the next level?
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“He was probably the hottest man I have ever filmed,” eulogized Ward. “A massive man of pure beauty, intelligence and kindness. He was perfect in every possible way.”
The musclebound hunk was recently featured in an Out magazine photo shoot alongside Calvin Klein beau Nick Gruber and Marc Jacobs’ ad-exec ex-boy Lorenzo Martone.
Rest in peace, Dror.
Photos via Raging Stallion
Isaac C
A nation grieves.
christopher di spirito
What a shame. If his suicide is related to the scumbags at the NY Post outing him, I hope his family sues the shit out of them.
QJ201
AIDS, drugs, depression or money…one of the usual suspects.
jj
@Isaac C: ngl i loled.
Mr. Robertson
Wonderful bunch of people here at the Queerty boards.
Ken
What’s truly awful about the negative comments posted here is that he is an actual person. You see photos and porn. His friends and family see a beautiful soul who felt his only relief was to take his own life. I truly wish nothin by positivity for those who spew nothing but negativity.
aha
OMG, absolutely appalled by some comments. Scum.
AndyC
Well said Ken. Poor man. May he rest in peace, whilst the sick scum continue on in their own bitter lives. @Ken:
CBRad
@AndyC: Uh…dudes. You still don’t get it. The guy was an Israeli. Which means the Belonsky/Mulvihill/Rettenmund crowd will blast Lady Gaga and do a cheerful high-kicking dance that he’s dead.
KyleW
Christ on a fucking motorcycle, what is wrong with some of you assholes? This guy’s life was ruined by the fuckwits at NY Post, for what reason? National security? National interest? Entertainment?
And now that the guy has topped himself, you’re actually gleeful about it?!
What did he do to deserve this? It’s not like he gave away national secrets, or corrupted kids, or even crossed the road against the lights from what I can make out. I am at a total loss to understand anyone’s hostility towards this guy.
vixlad
@Mr. Robertson: I second that emotion. SUCH Nasty people some of them really are.
vixlad
@AndyC: @Mr. Robertson: I second that emotion. SUCH Nasty people some of them really are.
jj
Yeah the nypost was really awful with that article but im at the point where i dont feel bad for people who kill themselves.Its such a selfish thing to do to your friends and family it ruins their lives forever.
Collin O'Neal
I discovered Roman in early 2007 and he starred in my films as an exclusive until his name was leaked to the New York Post in the summer of 2007. I tried to counsel Roman on his career and he left choosing to go off on another direction. If he only listened to me, he wouldn’t have been in such a bad place to begin with. Roman was a kind person but easily persuaded by delusions of grandeur and material wealth. If Roman continued to work for me, his dreams of being the biggest bottom slut out there would have have been achieved. I will miss Roman he had a hot body, even know his mind wasn’t all there.
John
If that is truly Collin O’Neal who wrote comment 14, then it seems what they say about the porn industry moguls must be true. You are cold-hearted, greedy bastards who do not care about the beautiful men you take advantage of at all — you, Chi-Chi LaRue, Michael Lucas. Making billions and spending it on yourselves. Talk about delusions of grandeur and wealth. Dror was my trainer for the last three years and there was nothing delusional about him. He was driven and worked hard and was one of the most conscientious people I ever met. He was also gentle and sweet — and smart. I also happen to be on the faculty of an Ivy League med school — so I say to you as eloquently as possible — leave him the f**k alone.
bobeei
i’ve no idea who he is
Oh, ok.
He’s brown and this is an article on Queerty. Don’t be so surprised by the comments.
Mr. Robertson
@Collin O’Neal: That was … moving?
Kb
Collin O’Neal = scum.
Yeah turning him into the biggest slut on earth sure would’ve helped his low self-esteem. Someone like Roman dying only highlights how messed up the gay community can be. Gays are either making him out to be a saint simply because he’s hot, or they’re making him out to be a loser simply because he’s hot.
Gays only judge people based on how hot they are. Hope those who truly cared for him find peace.
So ...
@Kb: I couldn’t disagree more with you. Unless you’re hot. In which case, I find your point of view fascinating.
Dave
@17 Oh ok-Actually he’s Caucasian and tan.
Rest in peace.
I agree with KB, people who do porn are not always the most well balanced people to say the least but that doesn’t mean that they all are HIV+, take drugs, or do any of the other crazy things you hear men and women in porn doing.
I will keep Dror’s friends and family in my thoughts. I hope he is at peace.
DenverBarbie
The porn industry is not unlike Hollywood. It attracts similar people- everyone from the professional truly interested in their craft to those seeking validation, and can end with parallel tragedies. If one is to write off the porn industry as immoral or predatory, I hope their opinions of the music, modeling, movie, and television fields are the same.
Roman Ragazzi looked great a couple of months ago in the spread he did for Out (even if the photo shoot concept/execution was called “cheesy” by nay-sayers).This is very sad. And so are many of the comments above. We are talking about a human, who was clearly very sad and sensitive. He deserves compassion, not snarkiness. (And I bet all of you moral judges will be jacking it to Tailpipes tonight.)
Oh, ok.
@Dave: Israli’s are European? Really? REALLY?
Charles
It is so sad to hear something like this. When a guy or girl has a beautiful face and body, there are always those that are quick to exploit this for monetary gain. In the process, these are made into sexual “meat” for the hungry market of wolves. Any form of pride, dignity and self esteem are inevitably driven out. What is left is merely a shell of the former he or she once was. Right now I am working hard on a friend that went down this same type of path. It will take a great deal of work and patience to put the pieces back together. That is if it can be done. Alas, it is too late for this man.
William
“A nation grieves.”
…….Damn that snuck up on me and before my body could react I was already on the floor.
This is sad though, I don’t even understand why he needed to do porn. He seemed to have a substantial life as is.
God, this just makes me want to be a better friend to everyone in my life.
Really...
@Isaac C: Yeah. And when you die we’ll fly the flags at half-mast?
William
@Collin O’Neal: <—–Does someone want to explain this?
I know this is not real.
David A
What a loss, to have the looks and life that so many of us desire and envy, then to just throw it away. What could have been so bad he could’nt work it out; he already made it to the top. What a beautiful man, I hope he found peace.
Isaac C
@Kb: “Gays only judge people based on how hot they are.”
Yep. And that says everything about the false sympathy and internet tears on display here.
Just because some of the commenters want to play with his balls and fuck him doesn’t mean his life is more valuable than others. Go to any gym in WeHo or Manhattan and you’ll find tons of guys that look just like him and want to take his place, and are basically just as useless.
@Really…: They only do that for glorified crackwhores from New Jersey, apparently.
James
This is the 2nd suicide by a young gay male within 2 weeks here in Manhattan- This concerns me as a human being- As for all the callous, snarky and down right cruel commentators – your words reveal the ugliness you carry inside your hearts.
Ambrosisa
He was a beautiful person in every way. I saw him walking his dog every evening and training/working out at my gym. I didn’t know him well but he was always very nice and respectful. He was very real and nonassuming – his backstory came to me as a complete surprise. RIP 🙁
Ryan
that first comment is killing me.
RIP though, i always liked his work.
shannon
LIKE I SAID BEFORE…THIS PORN BIZ YOU GUYS PUT ON A PEDESTAL…….AND THE RANCID…ALCOHOLIC…DRUGGED UP IDIOTS WHO ARE IN…..HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES!!!!!!!!!! STOP WITH ALL DEIFYING THEM AND THIS “HAWT” BIZ……THIS GUYS ARE MONSTERS…
Desdemona
Reading this article is disturbing in more ways than one. It’s always sad when someone offs themselves, but what’s even more disturbing to me is that (before I even read the comments), the article struck me as SO SUPERFICIAL.
BubbasBack
Porn eats another one of its children. Very sad. Mini-Burp.
mj
@jj: People who kill themselves are not selfish, they are seriously mentally ill with depression and are only trying to end the pain in the only way that seems possible at the time. Thank god you’ve never been there, or you wouldn’t be passing such a horrible judgment on a suffering soul.
Robert
You sure it was suicide ! Something tells me someone wanted to get rid of him ?
Ashton cruz
Wow, to hear some of you speak baffles my mind. I just don’t get why you think all of us in the adult industry are drug addicted aids spreading sluts. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Yes there are a couple of fuck ups in the game, but isnt that the case in every game? Show biz, sports, politics, medicine, academia, the arts, he’ll even in the church. So Why generalize the porn industry this way. This post is about a frustrated gay an at the end of his rope who just couldn’t handle life any more, we will never know what pushed him to the edge, so why not just wish him a good adieu with out all the unnecessary cunty cattiness?
Is this what some of you have become on the eve of the new and greates gay millenia? Bitter, hateful assholes with sand and acid flowing trhough your barbed wire veins? So sad.
Tonight I mourn for Dror, but also for those of you so lost in your own self loathing who can’t even muster a simple ” rest in peace” for a young soul taken fom us way to soon who never ever did anything wrongful to any of you here who trash him. Slep well bros. I’ll throw in a lil prayer for your souls too for good meassure.
REST IN PEACE D. You’ll live in the hearts of those who loved you, for ever.
Isaac C
@Ashton cruz: I’m so happy you’ve taken time off in between money shots to post your thoughts.
Kasnar
I just caught this headline. My first reaction was What!?!? I recall seeing his images and reading his profile several years ago on some beefcake website like BigMuscle or Dudesnude. Among other things he offered his advice about working out before breakfast as a fat-loss strategy. Naturally, I noticed his porn-star worthy looks. He may have been living in Ft. Lauderdale at the time (?) Only now am I learning of his Israeli roots. I didn’t know him but it always saddens me to hear about people taking their own lives. Only he and those close to him can know what demons drove him to end his life. Rest in peace, brother.
Gareth
@jj: selfish maybe BUT a showing of how desperate people are (or how low things have become) and coming from someone who has had a member of the family manically depressed, I dont judge on that topic anymore…..
Belize
@wtbranch:
LOL. The Bible and God are two different things. There is no undeniable historical documentation which proves that God wrote the Bible. As far as history is concerned, the Bible was written during a time when they human race was so ignorant and fearful. Ergo, it is a product of ignorance and fear. That’s why it’s such a foundation for a religion.
Don’t hate on me. Common sense should tell you that.
jason
I don’t think any of you are really concerned about Dror Barak.
Firstly, you seek to call him “gay”. How do you know he wasn’t bisexual? You want to own people for shout-out reasons and not because you really care for them. You are leeches of the first order, sad sacks of stay-at-home cellulite who seek validation in others.
Secondly, where were you when he got fired from his job in the Israeli consulate? Where was your concern for his well being then? Also, why didn’t you express concern over the fact that he was doing porn? Oh, perhaps he was fulfilling your grubby little voyeuristic fantasies, eh? As in the fantasies of bad-skinned 30- and 40-something, blue singlet-wearing, pale-skinned, bushy moustached dorks with a wardrobe full of flannelette shirts.
As for Chris Ward, the less said about him the better. Suffice to say that he’s a turd of the first order.
Belize
]@Isaac C:
I’m sure it’s the least he could do given that your kind usually takes the time to throw money at their feet only to be rewarded by a coy glance that you’ll jerk off to for the next decade. 😉 See. Like you, I too “know” a lot about other people.
James
Why would someone do porn and think no one will find out?
Belize
@Kb: “Gays only judge people based on how hot they are. Hope those who truly cared for him find peace.”
Ah the cynical hipster phase “ugly” gay people usually go through. I’ve never experienced it but I’m sure you’ll make for a great Republican GOP candidate one day. Don’t forget to marry your token blonde Southerner. She should make all those nights of “sinful” masturbation go away. Trust.
Adam
I had such a mad crush on Dror. Met at the gym, spoke was even more crazy about him. He was muscular, thick hairy beautiful in every way. Spoke intelligently too. Seemed evyone wanted him. How or why he would have done this alludes me entirely. I just hope our guys don’t continue taking their lives, as we have so much to live for now vs years ago. Right to marry popping up everywhere. Let’s stay optimistic guys! We need to keep each other on a positive path of love and light! Haters stay away and keep your replies to yourselves!
The Real Mike in Asheville
@Belize: Ahhh, indeed, there is a reason its called the Dark Ages.
James D.
I think where all these “negative” comments are comming from is frankly real successful gay men are sick and tired of these porn”stars” being held up on a pedastal in the gay community, I mean it doesn’t take ANY skill to suck a d*** on camera. These guys are basically glorified prostitutes. And we’re tired of hearing about them (outside the 15 minutes a day we jack off)
unfortunate
Its unfortunate but typical of many porn/ex-porn stars who get into drugs and escorting to keep up their lifestyle. He was a nice guy, but HE made choices. Whether the NYPost should or shouldn’t have posted their story is irrelevant!!
This man CHOSE to lead a double life knowing full well it was not appropriate for his professional life. I hope his family will find solace and closure.
dsp
@wtbranch: beleive in your myth all you want! just stfu about it.
David Basch (Paris)
Logically said:
Lets us imagine, someone says:
“A murderer has deserved to be put to death.”
NN says: a) A murderer has to be put to death.
NN says: b) I am a murderer.
NN says: c) I deserve to be put to death.
NN presents himself at the police station and says:
“Arrest me and bring me to court. I am a murderer.”
The police officers interrogate him and find out that he has been an Israeli soldier and military trainer and has done, what Israeli soldiers and military trainer do.
They say: “You have indeed killed, but just Palestinians. You have taught how to kill and torture, but just Palestinians (who are not tortured, when you torture them, but just harshly interrogated). You are not a murderer. You have done your job, and you have done it so well that you deserve an award.”
NN walks out of the police station and does not know what to do or to think. He sees his military rabbi, who tells him the same, what the police officer told him.
Now, he knows better, this is to say, he knows that they are either evil or idiots, (… the rabbi, since he is intelligent, is more likely to be evil, whereas the officer is just the idiot he has to be in order to do his job).
So NN takes the consequences and puts himself to death.
If NN had met a good froomie rabbi (like Rov Dovid Weiss, for instance) he might still be alive. He could had been told that he is right, when he thinks that what he has done is a sin against G’d, a crime against mankind and men and an insult to Torah and Haloche. And this calls indeed for penitence. But suicide is never ever a valid form or mean of penitence.
Unfortunately, I guess it wasn’t that at all, this is to say:
Dror Barak’s suicide was not an erroneous but heroic act.
And …. it was not the result of religious homophobia.
There is a very secular form of homophobia and once religion will have completely disappeared, one will have difficulties in finding a cause to blame. (Perhaps one will say: these are structural rudiments and remeniscents of religion; but that’s no fun. One needs an actual responsable, not just a past one).
Maybe, someone like Dror Barak, a ‘real man’, was viril enough to point his very own homophobia against himself and to gay-bash himself to death?
delurker
Yes, the NYPost is a disgusting Rupert rag, but how can a person really “hide” the fact they are doing porn just by giving themselves a pseudonym? I don’t think what the Post did can really be termed an outing in any sense.
Tea & A
@Isaac C: “glorified crack whore” was pretty fucking funny.
nikko
@James: Exactly. It’s beyond me how most guys think their porn past won’t catch up with them, or be found out. What were they thinking??!! It’s like tattoos-they’re permanent.
Thomas
Can I take this opportunity to ask why our culture thinks doing porn or being a porn performer is some kind of “upgrade” or a status symbol?
I mean, I know the obvious answer is that mainstream gay culture is a baseless, shameless, value-less cesspool where you can murder an entire family and set fire to a sack of puppies, but if you have good arms and a six pack, you’re “hot” or the proud receiver of epithets like “WOOF!” or what have you.
I think porn stars are gross, sad creatures that perpetuate a gross and sad stereotype about our culture. I think we’ve had enough of this set. Can we start acting like adults sometime soon? I know, you’ll fight to the death to be able to live out your favorite Treasure Island Media porn, but is it ok if the rest of us get married, don’t cheat on our husbands, and have families and stuff?
I know, you’re bitter, and you want to destroy other people’s relationships by sputtering off your graduate thesis regarding how “monogamy is fake or unnatural”, but statistics, like facts are stubborn. Men who are in monogamous relationships are more likely to be richer, happier, and not infected with HIV/HCV.
I know, you’re versatile or something, and you think you should be able to flip fuck your way across the USA. Sure, go ahead, but that look is going to be old when you’re 50 and have to be declared indigent to get treatment for whatever it is you contracted.
I know, you don’t see being infected with HIV/HCV as a negative (no pun intended), but a lot of people do since they’re both diseases that can kill you, that we largely have to TRY to get in the 21st century. You’ll try to say that I am demonizing HIV+ people. I’m not. I think they are wonderful and we should dump as much money as possible into treating HIV+ people, finding cures, and doing research to eradicate the disease. We also need to not bottom for everyone in Christendom and perhaps infection rates might go down.
This man’s death is sad, but whenever I see stories like this I can’t help but wonder if we’re ever going to grow the fuck up as a culture? I’d like to, and I know many other young gay guys would like to. You don’t realize it, but your behavior affects how we are perceived by the rest of the world and it’s hard to fight for basic rights when you can’t control your constant need for approval by way of sexual conquest.
Just because we got made fun of as kids, or grew up in the midwest, or rejected by our parents or whatever you have suffered, that is not a ticket to just being a totally valueless human being. So what if the Christian Right uses “family values” to attack us? Let them; they’ll be the ones who are sorry if we maintain a level of morality that includes having fun, creating valuable relationships, and keeping sexual activity in a place that means something to the people engaging in it.
Sure, there is a difference between love and sex. We have demonstrated that writ large in our culture for almost 40 years and what has it gotten us? Infected with a virus that can kill us, saddled with millions in healthcare bills, and not much closer to being seen as equal in our nation.
Anyway, sorry to be a killjoy, I’ve just had enough of all of this.
ousslander
It is very sad. I think that porn dehumaniZes the performer in the eyes of the watcher. They become just a piece of meat to be digested then discarded and replaced. Still not an excuse for poor taste.
As for blaming the the Ny Post that is ridiculous. he made those movies for public consumption and to expect nobody to find out and if they do to keep it secret is ludicrous. If you don’t want people to know about you doing porn then don’t do it.
jj
Issac C is KILLING it in the comments.Someone get him a talk show.
ItIsAMess
@Thomas: My sentiments from Chicago exactly. This gay culture here is a mess. Jumping from 49th floor, hangings. Bartenders pushing 50 still thinking than have some type of right to cherry-pick who they THINK they’re going to have sex with, with minimal effort. Hootin’ and hollerin’ down at the civil unions ceremony for PR purposes but stating they “believe in intimacy without commitment” the week prior (I mean, if he just said “I’m a ho and wanna get wich you”, I may have). It’s warped. 24/7/365 bath houses trying to pass off as a gym or promoting safe sex. Please. Yes, I did go in there. Everybody talks about it. Had to check it out. Not my thing. Depression, self-esteem issues, selfishness, animalistic behavior, desperation? Yes. (I’m sure a psychologist could have a field day in that place). Safe sex? Maybe, but I sure didn’t see it. Saw lots of UN-safe sex going on though. Same people that frequent bath houses are campaigning for donations to HIV patients (and complaining they were off work for 2 weeks because of H1N1). I’m serious. Drugs. Oh, the drugs. Most would do anything for a $ here. I’m not buying it.
Gee, we sure have progressed now haven’t we? Yes, “grow the F up”. Not everyone seeks “marriage” as utopia (myself included) but these people give a new twist to the gay eternal adolescence syndrome.
J Ray
Ok, no offense to this guy but he seemed to have it all going for him. Some people just have it in them to kill themselves.
Average middle America gay (who has way more reason to want out) and none of you would give 2 shits. If this guy had been 30, marginally overweight, wore glasses, drove a rusted out Civic and scraped by in a shit apartment in Jersey City, I doubt that anyone would have stopped to read about it.
William
@Thomas: Exactly
Why are porn stars valued? It’s so embarrassing. The thought of the process alone is sad but actually holding it up and gagging over it takes it to a different level completely.
DenverBarbie
Whew! I’m definitely sticking to The Sword for porn-related affairs from now on.
We’ve got Bible quotes here! Bible quotes- goddamn!
Anthony Falkon
I did not know Roman personally. I can only imagine that if I looked the way he did I would gets lots of attention. Porn just brings that attention to another level. To keep that level of validation going would depress me. Needing to live my life in a gym and possibly doing steroids to keep the image going which wrecks havoc on your emotional state and after all that hard work you still never feel full filled. I’ve never done porn but I am trying to put myself in his shoes and try to imagine what his life must have been like and why he came to this sad ending. To end your life this way means he has been suffering with depression for quite some time and he just wanted the pain to end. I’ve been there for other reasons so i can relate on some level but time heals wounds. May he rest in peace.
steve sydney
“Barak/Ragazzi seemed to come to terms with his new life as a gay man”
So he was doing gay porn for the fun of it? I think someone could come to terms of being gay if they’re fucking another on camera especially.
Mr. Robertson
Hate to break it to all of you, but if you consume porn, you are in no position to look down on porn stars. Without us, there would be no them.
Shane Meyer
Collin O’Neal I hope you kill yourself. You are an old and in the way. Your day has long passed. You are fugly. You are nothing more than a rude, arrogant, son of a bitch that needs to get rid of your ridiculous holier than thou attitude. YOU are the type of person that gives porn a bad name. YOU are scum. Get over yourself. No one is impressed!
Gus
@KyleW: If you want/need to hide the fact that you are gay……performing in gay porn is NOT the closet for you.
zultaurus
Wow, unreal. I just had a strong instinct to find out what happened to him about one minute ago, googl-ed him, and received this shocking news…… RIP.
Michael Lucas
It is shocking not only that he has died, but that people are actually using him as a punching bag. It is unbelievable and I am extremely disgusted and surprised that this man at 38 years old has committed suicide and people are attacking him for his past. This year, I have known four other young gay men in New York City who have nothing do to with porn and who have gone into depression and committed suicide. Plus Dror hasn’t even done porn for the past 6 years. This is incredibly sad for Dror’s passing and incredibly sad for the humanity of others to attack him. How can someone attack his morals as they are writing such horrific comments… Who has the right morals here? Lowlifes are not those who do or did porn. Lowlifes are those who post derogatory comments.
Ron
???
Jack
@Collin O’Neal: Someone left the exact same comment claiming to be from Collin O’Neal on GayPornBlog at around the same time. Since Collin and Roman were friends, I thought the comment seemed suspicious. The IP address from the comment was the same Canadian address as someone who’s left inflammatory comments under many different names (including Collin, Roman, and Michael Lucas) on GayPornBlog in the past
I called Collin to confirm this (he didn’t leave the comment), and I asked him if he wanted to talk about his relationship with Roman … which he did here:
http://gaypornblog.com/collin-oneal-remembers-roman-ragazzi.html
Thanks
Jack
Editor, GayPornBlog.com
Mr. Robertson
@Jack: Thanks, Jack. Colin’s kind words, and your obvious concern for Roman’s memory, are a nice corrective to some of the less gentle sentiments expressed here.
GeoG
@jj: Here’s the pot calling the kettle black. Who’s more selfish, the person who commits suicide or you for calling his act of desperation selfish. I hope you never have to live or struggle with depression!!!
vinny
I don’t think people are necessarily being mean…. Of course it’s tragic when anyone takes their own life. However, that doesn’t change the fact most of us know…the porn industry attracts damaged people. And if they’re not damaged when they start, they’re damaged shortly thereafter. I admire a few porn stars for their “work” (a couple of them are no longer with us), but I can also admit that although I love how they look, and marvel at their sexual prowess, I know in real life, the odds are pretty good they’re really, really fucked up.
Nick
Wow–Shame…
I guess even pretty people lose all hope, sometimes. Too bad he felt he had no alternative.
Franco
Suicide is awful. I feel terrible for those who knew and loved him. I hope, in whatever way, he is at peace now.
Curtis
@christopher di spirito:
Sweetie, it’s not about the money. Suing won’t bring the family anything but pain.
Kenster999
This is so sad. I knew him briefly from the gym. I didn’t know about his porn background, I was just always impressed with this build (and OK, he was cute too). I worked up the nerve to say hi, and he was super sweet. One time he came over to give a few workout pointers — just in friendly way, not arrogantly or trying to drum up business for his personal training business. We always said “hi” briefly. I also saw him walking his gorgeous dog around the neighborhood a few times. I had no idea he was depressed. I’m so sorry he decided to do this.
dsp
OUCH! some of the comments! I have delt with depression, have even attempeted suicide three times and can tell you it is hell to go through and get out of. Once you do get out of it, you do feel stronger. Is it a mental illness? I don,t know. For me, the constant bullying, the constant self hatred and the fear that it won’t get better overshadowed the support from friends and familly. Ok he did porn…so what. Is that the reason he did this to himself. Only he could answer that question and sad but he no longer can. My heart weeps for those close to him who have lost a friend, a brother, a son. Rest in peace Dror Barak now that the torment of your soul is over! and may this also be a lesson to the world that suicide is a social issue that needs to be adressed more openly. I am saddened that for Dror it didn’t get better! very very saddend ;-( Wish I could have been a listening ear for him. I weep!
mylife
This is so pathetic. So many of you are sympathetic because he was “hot.” Well, that’s subjective. Particularly so because he clearly had a lot of demons. Of course, most of you have the same demons. Well almost the same demons and most of you are highly unattractive but think you’re sexy. I have no sympathy for this guy. It seems that he was an arrogant jerk. As a result of his despicable ways, he received the ultimate penalty: death. Good Riddance.
Mr. Robertson
@mylife: Wow. Just wow.
mylife
Mr. Robertson, you’re pathetic too.
Isaac C
@mylife: LOL.
PJ
A few decades back… I had an affair with Alain Lambert… then 6 months later he committed suicide… my dawling queenie acquaintances in MTL said: “… no wonder if he slept with you…” ouch… still haunts me to this day. He killed himself cause he found out he had HIV… from the unprotected porn he did… shame, shame, shame… back then it was still a “life sentence”… always practice safe sex you NITWITS, always !!! All he wanted was to be genuinely loved, not admired or lusted over… he also was a medical student. Avid cyclist and quite the little brainiac… anyway…
“We” the older and supposedly wiser old tarts are supposed to set an example.
Maybe Roman’s reason had nothing to do with porn, maybe time will tell, in the meantime I think the “bitter ones” should just reserve judgement. Be civil and respectful.
peace@all
Mike
Sorry..i didn’t find him attractive @ all..i know gay men think it automatically makes someone attractive if they possess a gym build..NOT LoL
I fell for his family though..but he chose that life style which have obvious consequences !
Luis Laviena
When are we going to learn to respect people. It is so easy to argue when others bridge our boundaries yet how fast are we to bridge the boundaries of others. It is sad. I hope we, as people, learn to respect others.
Jaztm
May he rest in peace. Most people don’t realize that steroids can cause a great deal of emotional havoc on the mind. Depression is definitely one of the symptoms.
Tom in Lazybrook
@Michael Lucas: While wishing Mr Dror and his family peace, I think your defense of the porn industry is pretty self explanatory (you ARE a porn producer, right?). Seriously. Some in our community do not particularly like the porn industry. The industry has a disproportionate incidence of unsafe sex and drug use and appears to me to be characterized by some owners that take advantage of their actors. You sell vanity. Sure, I like hot guys too, but there’s a BALANCE. All vanity All the time is not healthy. And the sad thing is that I think that some of those who are the pretty ones are frequently the ones that end up being the most miserable. Some end up simply using their looks as a crutch to avoid getting a real job and end up getting burned when their looks inevitably go bye-bye. If you think that your big asset is how attractive others think you are, you may be setting yourself up for a big disappointment later in life.
Look, I’m not in favor of banning safer-sex porn, but I do think that the industry is not immune from criticism.
The concept of disparaging is an interesting one. Kind of like implying that anyone who doesn’t support Isreali policies on the West Bank should somehow be banned from Gay Community Centers. And I’m a big supporter of Tel Aviv and can’t stand Hamas, but feel that Isreal outside of Tel Aviv is little better (or worse) than Mississippi for Gay people and that the PA is not the worst actor in the region. Feel free to paint me as some anti-Israel bigot, but my views are consistent with many Gay (and non-gay) Isreali Jews.
Perhaps you could use some of the time you spend supporting the GOP and unjustly attacking persons you disagree with on the affairs of a foreign nation and use some of that energy towards cleaning up the porn industry? Denounce the druggie/bareback studios, perhaps?
Shalom.
Tom in Lazybrook
@mylife: Unless you knew him personally, you’re really out of line. And before you think I’m a big supporter of porn, please read the posting above of mine.
Tom in Lazybrook
@mylife: Unless you knew him personally, and have really good reasons to comment like that on the dead, you’re really out of line. And before you think I’m a big supporter of porn, please read the posting above of mine.
mylife
@Tom in Lazybrook: You are clueless. I have every right to comment. The man committed suicide. That alone merits comment and thoughtful conversation. I could not care less if you are a supporter of porn. It is irrelevant. Fact: Most of the posters here did not know him personally. Yet, they speak of him as if he were a brother, co-worker, or best friend. Their opinions are based on how he looks and NOT HIS CHARACTER. How dare you tell me that my comments are out of line. HOW DARE YOU.
Mr. Robertson
@mylife: “Thoughtful” commentary? All you did was insult the man, and then insult anyone who may have felt his death may have been regrettable. And now you’re getting all angry and self-righteous because someone thought your comment was worthless?
Yeah. I’m calling it: You’re a troll. Go into the troll-hole and die.
(PS: Since you’re a troll, I won’t bother to reply to you. Happy trolling, though.)
mylife
@Mr. Robertson: As always, you are pathetic. You are the real TROLL. You’re just upset because you can’t think of anything worthwhile to reply to my posts. Therefore, you consider me a troll. Grow up, you childish idiot. Roman took pleasure in insulting others who he thought were beneath him, as many gay men do. Here’s the problem with that: things ALWAYS come full circle. Karma is a bitch. And, sometimes you commit suicide.
jumi2
@mj: thank you, agree …@robertson, mylife –stfu or gtfo, right? this is an obituary.. ?
mylife
@jumi2: this is not an obituary, it’s a breaking story. you stfu AND gtfo.
Kasnar
Wow!! If the life and death of Roman Ragazzi — may he rest in peace — have done nothing, it has certainly brought to the fore — deservedly or not — the issues we gay men have with one another — self-esteem, vanity, drug abuse, community, you name it. Most of the comments seem to be based on hearsay, stereotypes and our own personal baggage. It’s not always clear whether Roman Ragazzi/ Dror Barak is the subject of these remarks or simply the catalyst. I doubt that any of us knew Dror Barak -beyond his public image. His demons and demise may have had nothing to do with his alter ego. Even if he made his living primarily on his looks, all of us have many layers.
Having said that, it’s good that we’re airing this dirty laundry. Hopefully, we will keep these dialogues going and not wait for another person/porn-star/brother to die to become the bogeyman for all that ails us.
not cool
I think that if we as gay people started treating EACH OTHER decently then we’d have fewer suicides and problems we like to blame others for. The porn industry is terrible as is much of the gay nightlife scene with many members in league with meth rings, gay bars, “rolling” and extorting those seen as ugly and/or uncool, and worse (DJ Veritas/Chicago party scene anyone?). Its not all about what you can get for free. And if you put up with it, you’re part of the problem.
I have no clue why this man killed himself. I don’t know if he used drugs. I don’t know if he was involved with “rolling” others. I don’t know if he used his good looks to assist drug dealers in whatever games they dream up to humiliate their victims. I don’t know if he was part of the cool bar crowd that validates, encourages, protects, and promotes all of the activities listed previously. While I know of far too many in that industry who have done so (from very painful personal experience), I’d like to assume he was a decent person. I can only imagine that those who are living in that world are also victims of the monster they are a part of or are victims of being tied to that mess that we as a community hold up as the ideal.
Don’t engage in shady behavior to others. Don’t put up with others doing so. Look out for others to avoid those around us being hurt. Say something. Be genuine. Don’t use other people or their money. Why he killed himself is a mystery, but cleaning up our side of the street isn’t.
Mr. Robertson
@not cool: What is “rolling” a person? I Googled it, but I’m still not sure what it means in your post (Urban Dictionary has it as taking ecstasy.)
not cool
“rolling” means to con someone into unwittingly use or spend their assets under false pretense, threat, or fraud. It is a widely used term in the gay drug world.
Mr. Robertson
@not cool: Thanks! I learned something today 🙂
prettygirls
@not cool: You know these kids don’t know nothing bout that “gangsta shit”.
@Isaac C: I didn’t know your mama was from New Jersey. Represent Hoe. Kisses, troll you next week.
marcussea
No. 15 John
Thanks for your post.
How sad, how tragic that we humans – gay, bi, straight – delight in the downfalls of other human beings.
Johnathon
I didn’t know of him until this article but I appreciate the coverage on homosexuals committing suicide especially those that are well beyond their teenage years. I am a 26 year old that has battled with these terrible thoughts for over a decade now. His suicide brings to light, as well as the many others whom have taken their lives, that our gay community still doesn’t have adequate help available. It is a continuous struggle for many of us to find hope and takes a lot of persistence to keep going. I am a very melancholic person but still have a sliver of hope left that I could feel happy someday.
sdgman
No reason to feel anything but saddened. I have a family member who committed suicide, it’s a terrible issue to deal with.
KyleW
@sdgman: Nice to read a little bit of humanity here. I agree.
Xana
Nick Gruber(former porn star) is the next to go, as soon as that old hag Calvin Klein tires of him and dumps him and he has to back to the streets.
Kevin Freel
I met Dror, he was sweet, quiet, shy man. He was always smiling. I would run into him walking his cute blonde lab. I will miss him deeply. Just heard the news, hadn’t seen in awhile. R.I.P. Dror
Joe
@KyleW: Am I missing something? How did the NY Post ‘out’ someone who’s been openly making gay porn for years? I’m not trying to be an asshole and I’m not defending the NY Post but I honestly don’t understand how you ‘out’ someone who is, essentially, already out in a very public way.
lololo
@Oh, ok.: Isralis are israelis????
Demiel
@Mr. Robertson: I agree. So sensitive. It’s just sad he felt that there was no other way to deal with life.
KyleW
@Joe: Fair question. He is entitled not to mix his sexual life, with his working life. That being said, I suppose that as a public performer, he depends upon publicity to improve his marketability.
What I am concerned about, is why the NY Post needed to do an article on him. Was it a moral outrage piece, because to my knowledge, they’re not in the habit of reviewing gay pornography. The tone they set in their piece has a bearing. It’s not as though he was a high ranking official or a major politico.
ronjayaz
@David Basch (Paris): Personally I think opinions expressed are all wandering BS.
Tom
@Johnathon: stay strong, Johnathon. We want you around.
Johnny
@Michael Lucas:
Michael Lucas a 2face he made evil remarks about my porn career NAME CALLS INSULTS PEOPLE SO WHO the hell is Michael kidding?
Johnny XXX
@QJ201:
Former Gay porn starxxx.
The porn industry spread rumors ,mock, criticized insult me.(jealous competition).industry.
Caused a deeper depression/vulnerable position”.etc..
r.i.p.
vixlad
May his soul rest in peace.
PittBull
This makes me very sad. I have lusted after him for years.
The posts above make me even sadder. I met this handsome boy several years ago. He was all smiles. Apparently his torment was too much for his kind heart, a sympton so common, not just in this industry but in our “community”. It reminds me when I first came out and was under the dilusion that I was now a part of a “community” and we would look out for each other. This didn’t last long. Everyone of us see people all around us that are in crisis. Please reach out to them. It may mean their lives.
I feel for these boys that subject themselves to the PIGS that control the porn industry. It is hard to keep your head on straight when all around you are lost themselves.
I am so sorry Dror for not realising your unhappiness. I did not know you well but liked you much.
Dror, I will keep you in my heart and my mind
Carlos Viana
Eera ese tipo de macho-macho que todos hemos soñado con poseer. Ojalá que el suicidio heya servido para su felicidad, truncada por un chisme periodístico y una agresión homópfoba de la embajada de Israel.
JP
Seeing a gay man like him who took his own life this young made me think about myself. Sometimes suicide appears to be only way out for people like me who are dealing with depression. Life is just not that sweet, sometimes. Suicide is the exit for depressed people when there is nothing worth fighting for. I hope Dror will find peace at the otherside. He will be missed.
Kain
@So …:
Kb is 100% right unfortunately. The gay community is screwed up, only being concerned with looks, and materialistic things; and treat each other like disposable meat. This does not mean ALL homosexual men behave this way, because there are many gay men, who take no part in the gay community, as it is rubbish.
Gays don’t get what they want or respect, because they don’t treat themselves or each other with respect (the ones who live that lifestyle). I’m very fortunate that my family and friends are great to me, and yes they know I’m gay, and I’m in no way shape or form ashamed of my sexuality… I also don’t go about with my sexuality being the biggest thing about myself, as it won’t matter when I die. I also keep away from the gay world, or community if you well, because I’ve seen it to be very destructive, phony, superficial, hateful, and disgusting.
Franco Di Palma
Porn or no porn he was a human being and I am told a beautiful person. It is sad to see what the world does to people. I think that most of the negative comments here stem from jealousy or homophobia. The man was spectacular and should have been allowed to live his life as he chose. Not so though. There are too many busy bodies out there who feel a need to make a life by intruding on the life of others. They need forgiveness far more than does this gentleman for anything he may have done. Rest In Peace.
Franco Di Palma
Cruelty comes in many forms but all are ego based and all are human.
Sean Zilla
@Isaac C: “A nation grieves?” You’re kidding, right? Do you know what that quote is usually reserved for?
Sean Zilla
WOW! Hard-hitting journalism!! “Rest In Peace?” Really? That’s it? Classic. A man died. Most likely because of the scum-fiilled industry that used him. Having idiots like Stallion chime in is heartless.
Would you print condolences from the rapist, who’s victim committed suicide because of the rape?
elvis singleton
shame on the ny post, can’t help but out a man, for being human, shame on the consulate for being so closed minded. and shame those so quick to judge a man who killed himself for his own reason, who are we to judge another? we are noone, best make your peace, your time comes without yur permission.
Sam Buddy
@Kain. Your words are very true. I feel the same way, and hopefully some day I will fall in love with someone who shares our opinion.
Why is this man raved about? Because of his body? How beautiful he was? Are these people listening to themselves??
All of you: The truth is this man was not the Saint you depict him to be! He was a gay porn star who, sadly, murdered himself. It’s not hate-speech, it’s fact.
And yes The NY outed him (they had no right) but that does not mean the NY ruined his life! His life was already in tatters, he felt ashamed, insecure, and when the truth about him hit the fan, suddenly the NY is to blame??
THAT IS BS!!
ian
@So …: best thing ever. dying.
ian
@David Basch (Paris): that is such an interesting thing to say. i’m taken back. i want to know more about what your saying. if i understood you, then i think i agree. something hard to communicate put in such away that it’s impact is akin to removing a veil from across it’s lie. cool.
Sean Zilla
@Collin O’Neal: Wow- Did you post your comment as an ill-timed joke? They must be satirical, yes? If not, YOU are the problem- I mean, what a f*cking ego! That aside, you people in the industry known as the underbelly of gay culture. When are the directors and pimps (see David Forrest) gonna start offing themselves? Not soon enough for me.
Uwe/Germany
I own some video-clips with Roman. Of course I realized what a wonderful body he had when I first saw him. But I also saw something in his eyes that told me a lot about his beautiful character.
Looking at him I was alsways owerwhelmed of fatherly feeling and desired to have him in ma arms and caress and kiss him. I knew if ever I would meet him in reality I would fall in lobe immediatetly.
When I read today about his so needless death I was just appelled and unutterably sad.
Farewell, dear Roman, I wouldn’t forget you
Hairspray_Harry
To the very ignorant,bile faced,anal retentiveness queens on this page,people are sad of this mans passing because some of them crossed paths with roman and felt he was a beautiful person,they also are grieving because he was well know to them from the porn films he acted in,they appreciated his beauty in many forms including his performances on video disc and the happiness he brought to them for it,he never deserved to commit suicide and its sad to see a beautiful looking creature such as he,kill himself,roman was conflicted by his homosexuality and had a difficult time with excepting himself as a homosexual as so many do especially,during these times of accusations of being a paedophile rapist,the anti-christ,mentally challenged or not being worthy of life
roman was jewish and homosexual which was a weight on his shoulders
…..again for the brain dead queens who simmer with hate for themselves/others and crawl across the web acting like arrogant/spoiled little girls,please learn to grow up,you will be much appreciated for it
Hairspray_Harry
@Sam Buddy
maybe we(the men posting on this page)should of jump on your little school bus and tore this man from top to bottom and called him everything but a black woman,would that have made you happy……i do hope you never have a person in your life,you appreciated,kill themslves and dear jeseus i hope they are not attractive or well built because they will never deserve your remorse or sympathy,that is only reserved for midly to ugly overweight person,i would guess?
Hairspray_Harry
@Sean Zilla:
these are grown men with a life,to do as they choose…..they make their own choices,porn is NOT a “new Phenomenon”,if it was not something he was willing to do,he knew better
Samuel
@Oh, ok.:
Well said!
may his sould rest in peace.
Faggot
@Oh, ok.: Americans have a different understanding of ethnicity and especially of Jews as an ethnicity.
Most Israelis are either Ashkenazi Jews (Eastern European) or Sephardic Jews (originating from the Iberian Peninsul — Spain and Portugal). The third group is Mizrahi (Middle Eastern).
Dave said Roman Ragazzi was Caucasian, but you used the term European. In anthropology Caucasian is a term for race, although the lines between race and ethnicity are not all that scientific. In any case, there are many Israelis of European descent.
Freddyeddy
@Freddyeddy: If you are a victim of an ugly circumcision join a foreskin restoration therapy group and you can recover from the depression. Don’t let others bully you into accepting your fate.
Sebizzar
This showed up on the recommended, didn’t realize this was an old article. But nevertheless, rest in peace Roman Ragazzi. It’s so sad that even famous gays, who you’d think have it all, can commit suicide. I always tell myself every day suicide is not the option, so I really hope I never feel the need to actually do it 🙁
ibernard
What makes me laugh in all these comments which appear when a gay porn star commits suicide has nothing to do with the subject matter. It seems that most of the haters can’t spell, don’t know how to properly construct a sentence, and are all caught up in the instant message vocabulary to the point where they are too lazy to type a few more letters and spell out the entire word. Another thing that gets me is that I, at least, post under my name, and am easily found online, and, therefore, probably at my residence, if some stalker is that persistent. But I just love some of these anonymous names. Serious haters who couldn’t even look in the mirrors at themselves. Just like the early days of AIDS. All the so-called “trolls” who were HIV- were laughing at the good-looking HIV+ guys who died. They figured it was “God’s way” of punishing them. They were good-looking and had (possibly) idyllic lives, and the “trolls” felt it was kharma’s way of coming around to save them. Kill the good-looking guys and spare the trolls. I’ll never forget that.
And I’m reading it all over again. What’s ironic is that the serious haters are probably the ones who have all the DVDs et al of the deceased porn stars who committed suicide.
No matter. It’s sad they don’t have someone to talk to. Sadder still if they get wrapped up in drugs. And, again, sad if they can’t get help for themselves. They aren’t disposable. They are someone’s son, brother, cousin, lover, friend, family member.
Shocking. What a trend. Suicide amongst porn stars. Just as bad as barebacking in the porn industry.
scotshot
@KyleW: Mr Barak apparently leave a note. Without a note we,of course, do not have a reason.You cannot put blame on the media for the man’s death.
PeterCee
@Collin O’Neal: “Counsel”???? “Discovered” ??? if you are indeed the real O’Neal, boy, you need to come down a peg. Who the f**k do you think you are? Some sort of psychologist/indie film maker. You make f**kn’ porn, for god’s sake. Exploitation at its most basic.
Overjoyed that there are web sites where the crap you churn out can be pirated. Just accept who and what you are, and don’t embarrass yourself with your woeful attempt at empathy.
(And, of course, if you’re not O’Neal, you need help.)
wvdragon
I also used to think that people who commit suicide are acting selfishly, until suicide hit my family and eventually my anger turned to understanding; my Mother was in such emotional pain all her life that it was unbearable. Yes, of course I miss her, will always, but it would be selfish of ME to want her to stick around while she’s in so much turmoil. Obviously, just my perspective. I’ve come to a realization that not all people have the same “shelf-life”. Life is a gift, but sometimes gifts are returned.
enlightenone
@Charles: Are you a licensed therapist? Is he participating in treatment? Are you?
“When a guy or girl has a beautiful face and body, there are always those that are quick to exploit this for monetary gain.” They are quick to exploit themselves as “meat!” Speak for yourself; I’m not a wolf!
I admire his ability to pick himself up and use his entrepreneurial skills to build a business in the health and wellness market. A tragic loss!
enlightenone
@Thomas: I’m with what you have said, but they are NOT/represent “gay culture,” mainstream or otherwise! They are males who exploit themselves for money and/or grandiose admiration in place of authentic self-value and self-respect. For many of them, it is an “acting out” of trauma (primarily sexual) or self-medicating/soothing of an undiagnosed depression….
enlightenone
@ItIsAMess: Not “gay culture!”
enlightenone
@Anthony Falkon: Time doesn’t heal wounds; it exacerbates them! “Psychospiritual” work helps to heal “wounds.” You did the “work!”
frankcar1965
@Thomas:
” richer, happier, and not infected with HIV/HCV”
Since you are so butt ugly wrong, you need to know that most guys who sero-convert ARE actually in a relationship, so that blows out your theory. See Poz magazine for the truth. Funny how dip shits like you always seem to know everything.
Tim Warner
He was a splendid looking man and he made me gasp.
And he will be missed.
Mike999
Depression can take anyone. Robin Williams, one of the most successful people on earth, found the pain of life unbearable.
RamblingManNJ
Just goes to show you, so often the people we envy secretly have tormented lives. May he rest in peace.