The Porn Industry stunned by the death of an icon…
Last evening, news began to break of the passing of Robby D. A legendary director and beloved figure within the adult film industry, Robby helped build Digital Playground into a powerhouse studio and helmed some of the best-selling XXX movies ever made. As of this writing, there hasn’t been any official cause of death given but friends have said that Robby had been sick with COVID-19 for a few weeks prior to his passing.
While Robby D. was easily one of the most gifted cinematographers to ever work in the porn business, friends and colleagues remember him best for his kindness. As news of his death swept across Twitter, members of the adult film business who had known and worked with him offered up remembrances and tributes to a man who had helped launch many of their careers and who had directed many of their most popular films.
At the time of his death, Robby D. was in his early fifties.
2021 continues to be an especially tragic year for the Porn industry. In addition to Robby D., the XXX world is still reeling from the loss of such well-known performers as Dahlia Sky, Jake Adams, Raven Bay, Dakota Sky, Kris Slater and Tegan Toxik.
Who was Robby D?
Robby D. was a director who had been working in Porn since 1992. After getting his start working with Vivid, Robby used his UCLA film school education to bring a level of technical expertise to the industry that few of his peers could match. A gifted filmmaker who was obsessed with creating the best movie possible, Robby achieved much acclaim for his work with Digital Playground in the early 2000s. His work there helped transform that studio into an industry juggernaut.
During his time with Digital Playground, Robby D. crafted some of the studio’s most popular works. Some of his best-known films include Babysitters, Top Guns and Code of Honor. In addition to being best-sellers, each of those films were also selected as three of the ten best Digital Playground movies ever made. His work also helped turn Digital Playground contract performers like Jesse Jane, Riley Steele, Stoya and Kayden Kross into superstars.
The list of awards that Robby was either nominated for or won outright is too long to list. During his time in the industry, Robby D. accrued dozens of Best Director and Director of the Year nominations from AVN, XBIZ, XRCO, NightMoves and pretty much every other organization that handed out trophies to Porn people.
Rest in peace, Robby D…
In addition to being a titan of creativity and one of the most talented craftsmen the adult film industry had ever encountered, Robby D. was a friend to many and helped inspire so many more. The impact of his work as a director will long be remembered, though his greatest legacy will be the power of friendship that he built across the years and the industry.
Rest easy, sir.
Robby D was my son and you all have made me so proud of him. I knew he was good in the business, and professional but I thank everyone of you for you wonderful comments.