Steve “Titpig” Hurley (born Paul Yinger) set a new standard for what the image of what a gay porn star should look like.
Rising to fame in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, he was burly and hairy and hyper-masculine at a time when trends favored a more toned and smooth look. He was one of bareback porn’s true superstars back when it was still very taboo.
Outside of porn, Steve was a registered nurse who tirelessly volunteered for various HIV prevention organizations. He had the innate ability to make every fan he met feel like they were already friends.
I admit I was one of those men who was captivated by him back in the day. We had similar haircuts. We both liked cigars and pipes. I loved watching him in his leather. He was inspirational.
Little did I realize that soon he would become a friend and mentor to me.
ON SET WITH TITPIG
The day had finally come. I wasn’t convinced it was really happening until I arrived on set and saw him there. We’d met online and chatted frequently on ICUII before its demise. Then we lost touch. Fast forward to years later when a director emailed me about filming in Palm Springs with a “big cigar chomping daddy.” I jokingly responded, “Like Titpig?”
“I can totally see him fucking you,” the director replied. “But I have to clear it with the producers first.”
Admittedly, I didn’t get my hopes up. He told me he’d retired.
I got up early that day and drove out to Palm Springs. Traffic was light since it was a weekday. I parked in front of the house at the address the director had given me. Someone answered the doorbell and showed me into the kitchen.
And there he was.
He was filling out the stack of paperwork they make you sign before they can start filming you. He looked up and smiled with outstretched arms, signaling he wanted a hug. “Hey Baby Boy,” he said, “I’ve been looking forward to this!”
As we embraced, he leaned forward and gave me a kiss. His arms felt warm, and he smelled really musky and good.
“Me too,” I managed to reply… as the reality of it all quickly solidified around me…. in equal parts of joy, nerves, excitement, disbelief and, admittedly, arousal. “Good, good!” he exclaimed as he squeezed me closely. “We’re gonna have fun!”
At that moment, a PA plopped a pen and a similar stack of paperwork next to me and ushered me to quickly start filling it out as well. The director chimed in, “When you’re done, I need you to get ready and we’re gonna start things off with still photos.”
I was then pointed toward the bathroom where I was to disrobe and do some last-minute checking to ensure “everything” was groomed and camera ready. Outside I could hear Paul chatting with the director as he made his way to another bathroom down the hall to do the same.
So, there I was, alone, completely naked, in this glamorous Palm Springs house just moments away from filming a sex scene with one of the biggest icons in gay porn. They say you should always be careful what you wish for.
Now if you’re familiar with the biz, this was also that point in time when many male adult film actors administer whatever materials were needed to ensure their manhood stood at full mast over the course of the day’s production. While the blue pill was still a popular option, a lot of porn guys were now using injectable ED meds, such as Caverject or Trimix, which were more reliable but less convenient.
During our pre-production phone call the week prior, I had discussed with Paul how tedious I often found this procedure to be. “Oh, I’m a nurse, I can do it with my eyes closed,” he growled laughingly over the phone.
As I began my preparation, I fumbled with all the packaging as I nervously tried to get things properly measured and loaded. It was indeed tedious. The process was taking forever which only amplified my anxiety.
I could hear Paul chatting with the director, which meant he was already done and good to go. But I was only halfway ready, and it was going very slowly.
Right as my frustration was at its peak, I heard the shuffling of feet outside the bathroom door. Then there was a quick knock and to my surprise Paul stuck his head in the door.
“Son,” he asked in his deep, dirty daddy voice. “Do you need any help?”
I felt my entire body start to melt into the floor – if that’s even physically possible.
My nurse in shining armor had arrived. I opened the door and let him in.
Moments later it was lights, camera, action. And my life (and porn career) would never be the same again.