Jesse Eastern: An Interview With Mr. Bicoastal

By Hank Rose

Sex stardom in the 80s, the porn timeline transition in limbo between the Golden Age of film and the pedestrian glut of modern video, allowed for few big name stars. Many comparable erotic thespians were halfway through their careers and on their way to the Hall of Fame by the time Jesse Eastern hit the scene. This blonde Jon Voight look alike, unlike the carnal class who preceded him and achieved lofty status simply because they were pioneers, was one of those rarest of porn breeds who could both f--- and act. A f---ian fact of public lust life only endeared to blowbiz heavyweights.

From the old school of porn acting where you had sex in character, Eastern may well have been one of porn's finest character actors in a dirty celluloid dateline just before popular sexvid mediocrity set in. For when real films were being made with actual plots, the ability to blend into the story and not stand out is what made you a success in this biz. Today, in a carnal consumer circus tamed by the one-day-wonder, the gangbang and the gonzo loop, real actors like Mr. Eastern are a thing of the past. A raunch relic reminiscent of a time closer to the beginning...when art came first and money shots second.

True sinematic celebrities like Mr. Eastern often serve to remind us of the glory of what the world of adult film used to be when porn actors were still chic and sex stardom counted for something. The fact that he is still around after all these years as a working producer and director tells us that he is a lust biz lifer. Most people who can say that belong in the porn Hall of Fame. But because of his reputation as a maverick and a rebel immune to the politics of sex trade socialism, his star remains in limbo. While the Hall beckons, critics who never played the porn star game stand in the way of his deserved induction.

HR: Why the name Eastern?

JH: At the time I was acting on the east coast, New York City. It was 1982 and on my way to my first porno set and had to think of a stage name. At the time I liked the name Jessie and since I was from the east I decided to call myself Jessie Eastern (Little did I know there was a North, South, West ) I tried to change it from time to time to Jeremy Logan or Jeremy Michaels but the critics would catch it. They would write Jeremy Logan aka Jessie Eastern. It stuck like glue!

HR: Describe the lure that drove you from becoming a surefire legit star to starring in your birthday suit?

JH: I was doing day player roles on soaps. The work was slowing down. I tried out for a [mainstream] movie called Thundershine and got cast as the bad guy.  Bambi Woods of The original Debbie does Dallas starred. The producer was Dave Buckley who did adult movies in the Boogie Night era but this movie was normal with alot of T&A. I was told I would be good in Blue movies if I wanted to give it a try. They said money was good and I was horny!

HR: What was the first shoot like?

JH: Exciting! All I did at the first shoot was act, no sex! The movie was called Blue Jeans and it starred Jerry Butler, Sharon Mitchell, Ron Jeremy and some others. I played Irv the lead guy's partner. It was a good acting role. The director was Chris Corvina who evenually died of Aids. The
movie was shot in film. The funny thing was when I arrived at the set, I didn't know who anybody was because I had never seen a porno film before. It was all new to me. The production was a Jack Rabbit Film.

HR: When did you know that you were made for this biz?

JH: I got to meet the talent on Blue Jeans. I remember it was a closed set but I was able to watch the monitor. Watching the sex scene really turned me on and I know at that time I could do what they did!

HR: What made the tail end of the film era different from the sexvid revolution?

JH: First of all, film looks so much better then video. Yes it's more expensive to shoot, but in the days of film they had better production value, better acting better food, come to think of it everything was better, even the money! I believe video f---ed every thing up. It saturated the market with crappy product and now every body and their mother call themselves stars or producers cause they could buy a cheap video camera and make amateur movies. It's sad!

HR: Why did many of the early 80s bicoastal east coast stars fail while you succeeded?

JH: That's a good question! I do believe around the early 80's the business in New York started slowing down. At the time it was illegal to shoot porn and there weren't nearly as many companies in NY as Los Angeles. I left at the right time. Some of the biggest producers like Chuck Vincent  and Chris Covina caught Aids and eventually died! Some Actors retired or moved to the coast where there was more work. When I got to the West Coast, I found it difficult to work. Nobody know who i was. I had to prove myself. The agents had their favorites and the actors didn't want any one taking their jobs! It was tough but I didn't give up. I did have an advantage..... My acting!

HR: How would you grade your sexual performance through the years? Any ups and downs?

JH: We all have ups and downs. If I said I didn't I'd be lying! Most of the time it was up! I was lucky that every time I performed for a new company Mr. Wiggly worked. That's how you build your reputation!

HR: How many films and videos have you done overall?

JH: I don't really know but I know I did a few hundred or more! Not including mags....

HR: You are known as a rebel in the biz. Why is that?

JH: Yes! I did things my own way! I didn't like following the system like so many others. I was't just a f---ing robot! At the time the industry was small and was run by some of the biggest assholes and some asshole are still around and don't like changes! Too bad, I say!

HR: What was it like getting busted when porn was illegal?

JH: A joke! I got busted a few times. The producers would get paranoid because they had a lot to loose. They needed the actors help when the went to trial. One situation that happened back in 83 or 84 We were at Reb's office Pretty Girl international and the cops busted all of us for solicitation. Undercover pretended to be a producer from Mexico and asked us what we would do and wouldn't, all the actors were arrested and taken in. Reb was also arrested We sat in the jail for hours. When I finally got released there were a few actresses still locked up and my friend heard Reb say to his attorney that he wasn't responsable to help any of the talent and to leave them in jail! But later on when he needed some of us to testify in court at his pandering trial we were there for him! Years later the asshole claimed it never took place. Today Reb's still an asshole, but a bigger one! There are a lot more stories like that!

HR: So you paid your dues?

JH: Yes! My dues, and everybody elses!

HR: What were the pressures to perform like when you had to be able to act as opposed to today?

JH: There was a crew of 15 on a set all waiting for you to f----up! Some of the girls were drugged out bitching all the time, they wouldn't help you unless the camera was running! It still happens today!

HR: Who was the best starlet you ever worked with?

JH: There were a few but the best was Nikki Charm! I could cum just looking at her!

HR: Ever fall in love in the biz?

JH: No! I would't let myself! Most of the girls were f---ed up one way or another. I just f---ed and befriended them. It was safer!

Q: But have you ever fell in "lust" on camera?

JH: If I said I didn't I would be lying!

Q: Why do there seem to be so many feuds in the industry in the video age? Is it the competition?

JH: During the early 90's when it was safe to enter the industry all the looky luvs decided to live out their fantasy.They came in groves. Some as actors and others behind the scenes, they all wanted to get involved some way. Some for the better, most for the worse. One thing they all had in common, They all looked out for #1. It will only get worse!

Q: On a scale of one to ten, how do you grade yourself as an actor/stud?

JH: I could only go by what I've done in the industry. If you add up how much I made and the star women i worked with through the years and the parts I played I would say a Ten. Oh!, and don't forget the age factor, I started at 36. Of course that's my personal opinion. There's a lot of envious people who might disagree!

Q: What's the movie you made that you are most proud of? As actor and/or director?

JH: That's pretty hard to say because there are more then one! In 1991 and 93 I was hired for two of the largest budget adult films ever made. It starred Raven, Rocco and I in the first film and Rocco, me, John Dough in the other film. They were shot on location all over Italy! The budgets were well over $500.000. The name of the first film was called "Scandalous Seductions".

Q: With the way the world is today racked with violence and war, is porn a safe haven for horny minds?

JH: I would say so but if you asked Ted Bundy, he might disagree!

Q: Give us an insight into the mindset of a porn star. What does it take to sell your sexual soul in the spotlight?

JH: I believe all of the guys and girls who entered the porn industry were problematic in some way. In my case, being an actor trying to get legit work was fustrating. I needed to work and so when the chance came along to work I took it. All I did different was have sex!

Q: Was Freud right? Are all social problems related to sexual repression?

JH: I would say ! Give or take one or two!

Q: Explain the guilt factor. Who suffers from it and who does his/her thing on camera despite it all?

JH: My interpretation of the Guilt factor is growing up in a Jewish family! Your doomed right there! Most of the guys in the industry are jewish. They're the sufferers. The guilt is all in their dicks, wanting to be released! I don't know!

Q: Is porn still glamorous like it was in its heyday in the 70s. Or has the chic hit the fan?

JH: The chic hit the fan! Back then something was left to be desired. These days you see everything twice even! Double and triple penitration everywhere. What else could we do! Send in your ideas.

Q: Tell us your taste in women. Do you like the girl next door with a heart and emotions or the drop dead gorgeous variety whose s--- doesn't stink?

JH: If i were a brain surgen I would take the brain out of the girl next door and put it in to the drop dead gorgeous girl and give her a douch and spray her ass hole with jasmin!

Q: What is your major gripe about the industry?

JH: That's a big order! Let's start with the people who are trying to control it.

Q: And what do you propose to fix it?

JH: We'll start with an actors and directors union. A health plan for the talent that's affordable. Free Aids tests paid for by the distributors instead of money hungry people who control the clinics like agents maybe? Pension plans for retirement. Too good to be true? Maybe not!

Q: What effect has AIDS had on business? And what can be done about it?

JH: If we're not careful, Aids will be the down full of the business. I say we must keep out the prostitutes and drug addicts. Show your tests.

Q: Being an actor first, do you think that wetting your wick in this biz is a measure of respect amongst talent?

JH: Why not? it couldn't hurt!

Q: Would unionization help to make this industry more profitable for producers, directors and talent?

JH: Yes! I've always wanted that even back in the 80's.

Q: Are the money men who run the video companies and the writers, reviewers and critics jealous of what you do?

JH: Of cause they are! They don't have what it takes. They don't have any idea what work goes into doing a scene, f---ing on camera! They just watch it and masturbate. If they don't cum great, the scene gets a bad review, or if the magazine doesn't get their advertizing money the scene gets a bad review!

Q: What final say would you like to have for your detractors, your enemies in the biz who have tried to hurt you and tarnish your reputation?

JH: I would say, Your right leg is Christmas your left leg is Easter, Why don't I cum up and visit you between the Holidays!

Q: When you are gone, what adult legacy would you like to have left?

JH: That I was given my worth as a good actor and performer.

Q: Here's lies Jesse Eastern... Finish the epitaph for this tombstone.

JH: Here lies Jessie Eastern in his favorite position, hop on cowgirl and give this guy a ride. His dick has never been so stiff!

Q: Any parting advice to wanna-bes and newcomers?

JH: Yes, Stay out, don't come in. It's easier watching the movie but if you must, make sure you are confident, ready and have a supply of viagra!