Al Parker

Early career

Parker was born in Natick, Massachusetts. After arriving in California, he was employed by Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion West as a butler. His career in gay film started when he was "discovered" by Rip Colt, founder of Colt Studios. Colt gave him the performance name "Al Parker."

Parker began his filmmaking career when he signed with Brentwood Studios. He initially made short loop films shot on 8 mm reels.

Surge Studios

Parker was a producer, director, and actor. His company, Surge Studios, produced "theme" gay adult features, not just short loops. Many of the films were shot out of Parker's home in Hermosa Beach, California. Surge Studios was one of the first studios to mandate safe sex practices when AIDS appeared.

Personal life

As a teenager, Parker's mother encouraged him to attend the Woodstock Music Festival, believing that it was a classical music festival. After he was forced to abandon his mother's new car in the mud along the road leading to the festival, he encountered what he regarded as his first wholly satisfying sexual experience. His picture was taken there and appears on the poster collage for the Woodstock concert film released in 1970.

Parker was one of the interview subjects of Dr. Dean Edell, who reported a surgical procedure that sought to restore Parker's foreskin from his at-birth circumcision. The surgery was performed by Dr. Ira Sharlip, a urologist. The report was broadcast on television.

Death

Parker died in San Francisco. His remains were cremated and a memorial service was held at his private residence. His ashes were scattered in the ocean near the nude section of San Gregorio State Beach, San Mateo County, California.

Legacy

Parker is the subject of Roger Edmonson's biography Clone: The Life and Legacy of Al Parker Gay Superstar.

Parker's life is depicted in playwright Drew Sachs' play, aka Al Parker.

Selected filmography