Herschel Savage
Savage in 2010
Born
Harvey Cohen[1]

(1952-11-25)November 25, 1952
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedOctober 8, 2023(2023-10-08) (aged 70)
Other namesHarvey Cowen, Harvey Joel Coen, Herschel Cohen, Jack Black, Max Cohen
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)

Herschel Savage (born Harvey Cohen, November 25, 1952 – October 8, 2023) was an American pornographic actor, director, and stage actor who appeared in over 1,000 adult films.[2] In 2002, AVN ranked him 46th on their list of The Top 50 Porn Stars of All Time.[3] He was also inducted into the AVN and XRCO Halls of Fame.[4][5]

Early life

Herschel Savage was born as Harvey Cohen on November 25, 1952, in New York City, to Russian-Jewish parents.[6][7][8] His mother battled with obsessive-compulsive disorder.[9] Growing up, he attended a Conservative synagogue.[10] Savage saw his first adult film The Nun's Bad Habit at a movie theater in Times Square.[9]

Savage began studying acting under Broadway theatre actress Uta Hagen and renowned acting teacher Stella Adler.[11][12] Savage initially sought a mainstream stage and screen career.[8] However, he became disillusioned by the constant auditioning and competition for roles.[11] He also worked for an exercise company.[9]

Career

Savage in 2006

Savage was introduced to the adult film industry via the actor R. Bolla in 1976.[11] He went on to become one of the biggest stars of the "Golden Age of Porn" in the 1970s and 1980s.[11] Savage appeared in the 1978 classic Debbie Does Dallas, for which he was paid about $150 a day.[12] The film was a financial success, becoming one of the top five highest grossing adult films of all time.[7] Some of the other films he appeared in include Expose Me Now, Bodies in Heat, and Rambone Does Hollywood.[12] He created the stage name "Herschel Savage" with adult actor Jamie Gillis in an attempt to combine a 'nerdy Jewish identity' with that of a stud.[11]

During the mid-1980s, Savage helped to organize sex workers in San Francisco to fight for better wages.[2] The initiative was ultimately abandoned after production studios threatened to blacklist performers.[2] In 1986, Savage appeared in a cameo for the neo-noir crime film 52 Pick-Up starring Roy Scheider and Ann-Margret.[6] He was credited as "Harvey Cowen". In 1988, Savage was inducted into the XRCO Hall of Fame.[5][13] That same year, he left pornography to work in sales and video distribution.[8] He returned to performing in 1997.[8]

Savage appeared as a guest during the fifth season of the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me, with Ron Jeremy, which aired on February 1, 2001.[14] In 2003, he performed a stand-up routine on an episode of the reality television series Family Business. Savage portrayed a detective in the 2008 parody film The Texas Vibrator Massacre.[15] He appeared alongside other adult performers in the documentary series After Porn Ends 3 in 2018.[16] Savage appeared in more than 1000 adult films.[2] He was also inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame.[4]

Stage

Savage performed under the name "Max Cohen" in a 2006 production of Neil Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue.[6][8] In January 2013, he portrayed pornographic film director Gerard Damiano in the Los Angeles production of The Deep Throat Sex Scandal, a play described as the "theatrical telling of the back story of Deep Throat."[10][17] His performance drew positive reviews.[18] Writing for The Los Angeles Times, Charlotte Stoudt called Savage's portrayal of Damiano "surprisingly cogent".[19] Myron Meisel from The Hollywood Reporter remarked that he "engenders endearing empathy as the amiably deluded director Damiano."[20] Steven Leigh Morris from LA Weekly deemed his performance "dramatic comedy terra firma".[21] Savage credited the play with "renewing [his] love for performing on stage."[9]

Savage appeared as himself in Pretty Filthy, a musical about the adult film industry.[22] He also performed in the interactive dinner show Joni and Gina's Wedding.[23] In July 2016, Savage premiered Porn Star: My Life In The Sex Industry, an autobiographical one-man show, which he successfully funded through a Kickstarter campaign.[24]

Personal life and death

Savage was a practicing Buddhist.[18] He resided in California.[18]

Herschel Savage died on October 8, 2023, at the age of 70.[25]

Select performances

Film

Title Year Role Notes Ref.
Debbie Does Dallas 1978 Tim [7]
The Satisfiers of Alpha Blue 1980 Griffin [26]
Memphis Cathouse Blues 1982 Deacon Davis
What Gets Me Hot! 1984 Mrs. Radner's Boyfriend
52 Pick-Up 1986 Party Goer Credited as Harvey Cowen
Droid 1988 Turk
The Texas Vibrator Massacre 2008 Detective Mike Roe [27]
30 Rock: A XXX Parody 2009 Jake [28]
After Porn Ends 3 2018 Himself Documentary [29]

Television

Title Year Role Notes Ref.
Sex Court 1999-00 Tommy Rawlings / Nick Palos / Tony Tornelli 3 episodes
Just Shoot Me! 2001 Ron Episode: "The Proposal" [14]
Family Business 2003 Himself Episode: "Casa De Butts"
Are You There, Chelsea? 2012 Guard Episode: "Pilot" (credited as Harvey Joel Coen)
Dave's Old Porn 2012 Himself Episode: "Lisa Lampanelli / Herschel Savage"

Theater

Title Year Venue Role Notes Ref.
The Prisoner of Second Avenue 2006 Mel Edison Lead role (credited as Max Cohen) [8]
The Deep Throat Sex Scandal 2013 Zephyr Theater Gerard Damiano Los Angeles run [10]
Pretty Filthy 2015 Abrons Arts Center Himself Musical [22]
Porn Star: My Life In The Sex Industry 2016 Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center Himself One-man show [24]

Awards

List of accolades received by Herschel Savage
Total number of wins and nominations
Totals 9 40
AVN Awards
Year Nominated work and artist Category Result Ref.
1987 If Only Mother Knew Best Supporting Actor Nominated [30]
1989 Amanda by Night II Best Sex Scene - Feature Film (with Nina Hartley) Won [31]
1992 Herschel Savage AVN Hall of Fame Inductee Won [32]
2000 The Devil Made Her Do It Most Outrageous Sex Scene (with Mila & Dave Hardman) Won [33]
Herschel Savage Male Performer of the Year Nominated [34]
The Kissing Game Best Couples Sex Scene - Video (with Missy) Nominated
Best Supporting Actor - Video Nominated
Nothing to Hide 3 & 4 Best Actor - Film Nominated
Trial by Copulation Best Group Sex Scene - Film (with Temptress, Azlea Antistia, and Chris Cannon) Nominated
The Trophy Best Supporting Actor - Film Nominated
Tushy Con Carne Best Anal Sex Scene - Video (with Alisha Klass) Nominated
2001 Dream Quest Best Actor - Film Nominated [35]
Exhibitionist Part 1 Best Supporting Actor - Video Nominated
The Gapes of Wrath Best Anal Sex Scene - Video (with McKayla Matthews, Tyce Bune, and Mark Davis) Nominated
Screamers Best Couples Sex Scene - Film (with Dee) Nominated
Best Supporting Actor - Film Nominated
Sodomania: Gangbang Edition Best Group Sex Scene - Video (with Sabrina Johnson, Tyce Bune, Lexington Steele, and Mark Anthony) Nominated
Spellbound Best Actor - Video Nominated
White Trash Whore 17 Best Anal Sex Scene - Video (with Allysin Embers & Dave Hardman) Nominated
2002 Bad Wives 2 Best Group Sex Scene - Film (with Kylie Ireland & Jason McCain) Nominated [36]
Infidelity Best Supporting Actor - Video Nominated
Mafioso Best Actor - Film Nominated
Pussy Face Most Outrageous Sex Scene (with Kristen Kane and Rafe) Won [37]
Succubus Best Group Sex Scene - Video (with Ava Vincent, Bridgette Kerkove, Nikita Denise, and Trevor) Won
Taken Best Anal Sex Scene - Film Nominated [36]
Best Supporting Actor - Film Won [37]
2003 Big Bottom Sadie Best Supporting Actor - Video Nominated [38]
2004 Roommate From Hell Best Actor - Video Nominated [39]
The Contortionist Best Supporting Actor - Video Nominated
2005 The Hitman Nominated [40]
Love and Bullets Best Actor - Video Nominated
2006 Dark Side Best Actor - Film Nominated [41]
Best Couples Sex Scene - Film (with Penny Flame) Won [42]
House of Ass Best Three-Way Sex Scene (with Mari Possa & Barbara Summer) Nominated [41]
2007 Butt Pirates of the Caribbean Best Group Sex Scene - Video (with Mari Possa, Amber Peach, Samantha Ryan, and Kurt Lockwood) Nominated [43]
ClusterFuck 5 Best Group Sex Scene - Video (with Mayhem, Tory Lane, Jay Lassiter, Dirty Harry, Scott Lyons, Jenner, Rick Masters, Chris Mountain, Steve james, Trevor Thompson, and Alec Knight) Nominated
Game Best Non-Sex Performance Nominated
Rumour Had 'Em Best Supporting Actor - Video Nominated
2008 Delilah Best Actor - Video Nominated [44]
Spunk'd the Movie Best Supporting Actor - Video Nominated
2009 The Texas Vibrator Massacre Best Non-Sex Performance Nominated [45]
2010 30 Rock: A XXX Parody Best Actor Nominated [46]
2013 Dallas: A XXX Parody Best Non-Sex Performance Nominated [47]
NightMoves Awards
Year Nominated artist Category Result Ref.
2007 Herschel Savage Best Actor Nominated [48]
XBIZ Awards
Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2010 30 Rock: A XXX Parody Acting Performance of the Year - Male Nominated [49]
2019 Fallen II: Angels & Demons Best Non-Sex Performance Nominated [50]
XRCO Awards
Year Nominated work and artist Category Result Ref.
1988 Herschel Savage XRCO Hall of Fame Inductee Won [13]
2000 Nothing to Hide 3 & 4 Actor (Single Performance) Nominated [51]
2006 Dark Side (with Penny Flame) Best Onscreen Couple Won [52]

References

  1. ^ "Herschel Savage's 'Porn Star' Shows His Mainstream Acting Chops". Adult Video News. July 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d R. Berg, Heather (2016). "Porn Work: Adult Film at the Point of Production" (PhD). University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  3. ^ "AVN: The 50 Top Porn Stars of All Time". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  4. ^ a b "AVN Hall Of Fame". Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "XRCO Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on October 7, 2007. Retrieved December 29, 2007.
  6. ^ a b c "Herschel Savage". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c "The Curse of Debbie Does Dallas". The Sydney Morning Herald. August 19, 2005. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Savage Stars In Neil Simon Play". AVN. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  9. ^ a b c d Kernes, Mark (July 11, 2016). "Herschel Savage's 'Porn Star' Shows His Mainstream Acting Chops". AVN. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c Pfefferman, Naomi (January 23, 2013). "Play reveals naked truth behind 'Deep Throat'". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
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  12. ^ a b c Savage, Herschel; Atell, Dave (2012). Dave's Old Porn (Television Production). Los Angeles: Showtime.
  13. ^ a b "XRCO's Hot 'n' Horny Heart-On Awards!", Hustler Erotic Video Guide Vol. 3, No. 5, September 1988, pp. 8-9.
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  28. ^ Delahaye, Gabe (August 21, 2009). "NSFW: 30 Rock Porno? 30 Rock Porno". Stereogum. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
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  32. ^ "Vegas Sex-cess!". EFG Showcase (Hot Videos Illustrated). New York, New York: Eton Publishing Co. October 1992. pp. 34–37.
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