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'Deep Throat' Porn Legend Harry Reems Dies At 65
Harry Reems poses at the Video Software Dealers Association's annual home video convention at the Bellagio July 26, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Harry Reems, the male star of the 1972 porn phenom "Deep Throat," died yesterday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Reems, who was born Herbert Streicher, made his name starring opposite Linda Lovelace in the legendary porn flick "Deep Throat" in 1972. Reems played a wisecracking doctor who figures out that Lovelace's character has a clitoris in the back of her throat. He was reportedly paid $250 (although he says $100 in the video below) to star in the film that went on to make millions.
Reems gained notoriety, but life for him after "Deep Throat" wasn't easy. In 1974, Reems was convicted on federal charges—conspiracy to distribute obscenity across state lines—simply because he starred in the movie. Several notable actors came to his defense, and the charges were dropped in a later retrial.
Reems' appearance in "Deep Throat" didn't turn out to help his career all that much, and he had trouble getting work in "legit" films. He struggled with alcoholism, and at one point he ended up homeless and panhandling on Sunset Boulevard. He managed to turn his life around: he moved to Park City, Utah, joined a 12-step program, became sober in 1989 and found God. He married Jeanne Sterrett, and they've been together 22 years.
Reems' close friend Don Schenk described the last few months of his friend's life (h/t Gawker):
A few years ago Harry's health began to deteriorate due to peripheral neuropathy and emphysema, forcing him to retired from real estate. This past summer he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which the doctors discovered during a routine test for something else, and Harry went through months of chemo and radiation treatments. On March 5th, Harry entered the VA Hospital due to jaundice. His liver was failing. Next his kidneys began to fail as his body started to shut down. My wife and I have been driving from Park City down to the Salt Lake City VA Hospital to visit with Harry and Jeannie every afternoon.
Harry slipped into a coma 4 days ago, and passed this afternoon.
Harry went from living a bizarre lifestyle, though a 180 degree almost miraculous change to find a Higher Power he called God, and become a truly nice guy who cared for others, and helped a lot of people in Park City, UT.
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