Joey Stefano, (1968-1994) was an extremely popular American gay pornographic actor who was one of the most well-known performers of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Born Nicholas Anthony Iacona Jr., Stefano grew up in Chester, Pennsylvania and grew up in a strict Roman Catholic family.

After the death of his father at age 15,  Joey began using drugs and was eventually sent to rehab for six months. After rehab, he tried to become a model and built a portfolio. In 1989, he met a gay porn actor named Tony Davis who helped him enter into the gay adult film industry.

Stefano’s rise to fame was rapid, and he quickly gained a reputation for his good looks, toned physique, and sexual charisma. He appeared in over 35 films during his brief career, including “The Big Switch,” “In Your Wildest Dreams,” and “The Look of a Man.”

During his lifetime, he was the subject of rumors regarding his relationships with prominent entertainment industry figures who were known to be gay. Stefano discussed an alleged series of “dates” with David Geffen, who at one point implored Stefano to quit using drugs.^[After the videotaped interview appeared on Rick X’s show, OutWeek Magazine “outed” Geffen,^[who went on to announce his homosexuality at an AIDS fundraiser.

Despite his success, Stefano did not save his earnings and relapsed into drug and alcohol abuse., Contrary to rumors he was never officially diagnosed as HIV+ by any medical professionals.^[

Stefano struggled with drug addiction to the very end which ultimately led to his death in 1994 at the young age of 26. He was found dead in a Hollywood motel room, and the cause of death was determined to be a drug overdose.

Stefano’s legacy in the gay adult film industry and the community is significant. His tragic death also serves as a reminder of the toll that addiction can take on individuals and communities.