R.I.P. Herschel Savage (1952 – 2023)

The Porn Industry lost an absolute legend this week…

Herschel Savage, the iconic XXX actor, passed away this week at the age of 70. Over an adult film career that spanned nearly fifty years, Herchel performed in over 2,000 videos and established himself as one of Porn’s Golden Age icons. His talent as an actor earned him multiple major industry awards over the years, including induction into the XRCO Hall of Fame. And on top of all that, Hershel Savage is widely remembered as one of the kindest and genuinely nicest human beings ever to set foot on a porn set.

Sadly, 2023 has seen the passing of multiple legendary Porn talents. Earlier in the year, pioneering director Shaun Costello died at age 79 and the infamous Max Hardcore passed away at age 66. Additionally, popular performer Saya Song died at 37, reportedly the result of suicide. And in June, Kayla Moon was murdered. It’s been a tough year.

Remembering Herschel Savage…

The Porn Industry has never been blessed with a greater talent than Herschel Savage. Beginning his career in 1974 and continuing to appear in adult films until this year, Herschel starred in some of the most iconic and best-selling adult films ever made. So much more than just a guy with a big dick, Savage was an accomplished dramatic actor with mainstream movie and stage work to his credit.

Highlights of his over the years would include performances in many of the most acclaimed, most popular, and best-selling Porn movies of all time. Examples would include his roles in such classics as Debbie Does Dallas (VCX), Fallen (Wicked Pictures), The New Behind the Green Door (Vivid), Desire (VCX), and Eye Candy (VCX). Herschel also had a non-sex role in Machine Gunner (Digital Playground), the blockbuster film released earlier this year.

In a statement given to AVN after the news of Herschel Savage’s passing broke, this is what director Brad Armstrong had to say…

Herschel was a bigger than life character and one of the most authentic guys I’ve met. He was the exact same guy the first day I met him and the last day I talked to him … Herschel was Herschel.

Across the span of his long career, Savage was nominated for dozens of major industry awards. In addition to being a 1988 XRCO Hall of Fame inductee, Herschel won multiple Best Actor trophies from the likes of AVN and NightMoves. He also received nominations in almost every category for which he qualified, including Best Supporting Actor, Male Performer of the Year, and Best Sex Scene awards.

Rest in peace, Herschel Savage…

The influence that Herschel Savage had on the Adult Film industry over the years was second only to the impact that he had on those with whom he worked and loved. Armed with seemingly unlimited talent and a warm and kind personality that put everyone at ease, Herschel deserves to be remembered as a legendary performer and an even better man. His loss leaves a hole in this world that will never again be filled. Rest in peace, sir, and thank you for the memories.