CHATSWORTH, Calif.—John Frady, affectionately known to many adult industry friends and colleagues as “Old Man Frady,” died Friday after a recent onset of dementia, acquaintances report. He was 73.
In a Friday afternoon post to Facebook, friend Patty Berns wrote, “John was suffering from a rapid and initially unrecognized onslaught of dementia. Ultimately that is what took him. When he suddenly struggled (mostly unsuccessfully) to swallow and displayed other symptoms, his condition was diagnosed. Everyone around him [was] surprised at how quickly his condition moved from indiscernible to too late.”
Frady was a staple on adult sets for decades, and even made a handful of appearances in non-sex roles, including in 2011’s Official Revenge of the Nerds Parody (Third Degree Films), 2012’s Official Next Friday Parody (Zero Tolerance Entertainment) and 2013’s Band Sluts (BurningAngel Entertainment).
“I first met John Frady in 1995 when we were both working for one of the many porn companies that no longer exists,” AVN Hall of Fame director Mike Quasar told AVN.com Saturday evening. “My nickname for him was ‘Old Man Frady’ but he couldn’t have been more than 40 years old when we met. I was only 25, however, so 40 seemed ancient! He was my go-to lighting guy for almost 20 years. He was one of the most eccentric and brilliant people I’ve ever known and he taught me so much.
“He was passionate about his work and about filmmaking and he always had a suggestion for how something could be more interesting or more visually unique,” Quasar continued. “We are truly losing all of our legends. Cheers OMF. You were an artist and a mad scientist and you will be greatly missed by those of us who were fortunate enough to have known you.”
Another AVN Hall of Fame director, Sal Genoa, offered similar praise.
“He was the first rock star lighting technician,” Genoa said of Frady. “He worked on his personal movie most of his life, never to complete it.”
That movie, Keane’s Wonder Mine, was screened at California Institute of the Arts’ Bijou Theater in April 2023 as part of the school’s 50th anniversary celebration. It would be the movie’s only public showing.
Genoa further reflected: “His C-light was industry famous, and most every gaffer in the business today has a light, or two, or more, from Frady’s barn.
“I made the suggestion to hire him for Adult Time a few months back, just ’cause I could see his health diminishing. It was great to see the new generation admiring his style, personality and wizardry! He texted me for weeks following, saying how much he enjoyed it.
“…and for years to come, we all will be doing ‘Frady impersonations.'”
Fellow lighting guru and recently inducted AVN Hall of Famer Shaun Rivera (2024) said of Frady Saturday evening, “John Frady’s impact and influence on the business can not be understated. He was and is still a big influence in my career that started 30 years ago, and the number of people he affected in this business with his calm demeanor and wealth of knowledge is incalculable.
“Along with names like James Nono and Ron Vogel, John Frady stands as a pillar in my career. He will be missed.”
Photo of John Frady from his Facebook page.
