Lost Boys: Vintage Images of Chad Johnson

Lost Boys: 

Vintage Images of Chad Johnson

In the world of gay porn, rarely does an actor's career get to have a second act. 

Typically, they come and they go... arriving like a circus in a whirlwind, dazzling us all for a time before disappearing as quickly as they arrived. 

But there are exceptions. 

For today's Lost Boys, we'll be taking a look at the life and times of porn legend Chad Johnson. 

And Mr. Johnson? 

Well, he's an exception... 

...an exceptional exception.

Chad Johnson

Aka: John J. Campbell, John Campbell, Cad Johnson

Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 180 lb. 

Born: 1960 or 1962

Hair: Dark Brown

Eye Color: Green
Size: 10" uncut

Years Active: 1984-2005

39 films

11 compilations

Born in 1962, Chad Johnson came to Hollywood from West Palm Beach, Florida and his 'discovery' story rivals that of Lana Turner. In Johnson's own words: "I was 19 years-old and walking down the street in West Hollywood. (Director) William Higgins pulled up in his Porsche and asked, 'Have you thought about doing movies?' And I said, 'What kind of movies?' I had no idea what he was talking about."

Higgins, an established player in the gay porn game, was in the midst of casting his 1984 film Pipeline, and offered Johnson a role on the spot, but... there was a catch. "Higgins made me bottom and it was not a good experience. I felt like I was raped in that movie. If you watch it, you can tell by the expression on my face.”

Fearing his first experience would become the norm, after appearing in the 1985 Catalina classic The Pizza Boy: He Delivers, Johnson decided to leave the the world of gay porn behind. 

However, life's financial responsibilities soon caught up with him. And that biting reality has a way of swiftly changing young minds.

 

"When I was 23, I had a brand-new car that I needed to pay off," Johnson says. "So I decided to do porn again for the money. But I told my agent that I would only do it if I could be a top." His wish was granted, and, almost immediately, word got around about Johnson's return to the industry... and soon the offers began pouring in.

In 1986 alone, Johnson would appear in an astounding eight films. Working with studios like Le Salon, Catalina Video, Laguna Pacific and LA Video, he quickly built a reputation as a professional top who always delivered the goods. His striking, dark, good looks, toned body and big dick guaranteed interest. A flurry of photo spreads in various mens magazines quickly followed: In Touch - Oct 1986, Torso - Nov 1986, Jock - Nov 1986, Advocate Men - Dec 1986, Inches - Dec 1986 and Mandate - Dec 1986. 

In the final three months of 1986, Johnson's 'johnson' was everywhere!

1984 

Pipeline

1985 

Pizza Boy: He Delivers

1986 

Beach Ballers
Cashload

Down To His Knee
Full House
Man Size
Perfect Ten
Physical Education
Tall Tales
Down For The Count

1987

Pounder
Too Big For His Britches

Delicious

1988 

Bulge: Mass Appeal
California Dreamin'
Flogging The Sausage
Lyin' King

1989

Uncut Dreams

1990 

Cruisin' West Hollywood
Hot, Hung and Hairy

Magazine Photo Spreads:

IN TOUCH Oct 1986

TORSO Nov 1986

JOCK Nov 1986

ADVOCATE MEN Dec 1986

INCHES Dec 1986

MANDATE Dec 1986

MEN OF INCHES Vol.1 No. 1 - 1987

JOCK Oct 1987

HEAT Nov 1988

INCHES: 1991 Gay Porn Star’s Annual

UNCUT July 1992

Yet, despite his abundant success, something didn't feel quite right. Johnson knew he was unique in the industry, and, at that time, in the conformity-driven mid-'80s, that didn't sit well with the serious young man.

"I always felt like an oddball," he says. "Everyone else was blond and young with smaller frames. I was dark and hairy. I wasn’t the norm."

Still, there was an upside to it, too. His uniqueness added an element of variety to any film he was in, and directors genuinely liked him. He was a pleasure to work with. 

And then there was also the tightknit community. At that time, the world of gay porn wasn't that large, especially if you're standing at the center of it. An actor would get to know his co-stars as paths continually cross film after film. One young blond bottom in particular kept catching the eye of Chad Johnson... Dane Ford. 

Dane Ford

Ford was everything the industry treasured at the time: blond, smooth, cute, and young, with a tight, compact build. And while Johnson was popular, Ford was in even higher demand.

The two were part of the cast in six different films from 1986 to 1990: 1986's Tall Tales and Down To His Knee, 1987's Delicious, 1988's California Dreamin' and  Lyin' King and 1990's Cruisin' West Hollywood.

And although they didn't always appear in the same scenes, that constant proximity helped interest grow - on both their parts. They kept running into one another and eventually, enough was enough. The two began what would turn out to be an 11-year relationship. "Everyone said it wouldn’t last," Johnson said with a laugh, "but we were together for a long time. And it was Dane who took me out of the business."

Yes, you see, by the time they appeared in 1990's Cruisin' West Hollywood, Ford wanted out of the business. And Chad Johnson? Well, he decided that it was indeed time to try something different. Plus, if he was serious about creating a life with Ford, then he needed to separate himself from those who were telling him their relationship wouldn't last. 

Yes, he'd prove them all wrong. And, with his mind made up, hand-in-hand, the two walked off into the sunset.

But storybook endings are, in reality, not real endings, but merely the beginning of something new.

Realizing that he needed to find, not only something to occupy his time, but also, a way to earn a living, Johnson returned to school and, once graduated, began a career as a hairdresser. The couple settled down into domestic bliss, neither of them missing the industry.  That is, until 1997, when Johnson got a call. He was wanted for a film. Just one film. Seeing an opportunity to make some quick cash, Johnson signed on. 

It was just one film... but it was enough to make Johnson realize what he was missing out on. His return to the industry sparked old fires, and he found himself, once again, in the pages of Torso magazine (July 1997). Still, he decided his life with Ford was more important to him than the attention being a gay porn star received. Johnson smiled politely and quietly returned to his life with Ford. 

But, much like math, relationship are hard. And by the year 2000, the only thing the two could agree upon was... division.

By 2000, Johnson's relationship with Ford was no more. Eleven years... and it was over. Still, they'd had a good run.

Freed, Johnson's mind filled with thoughts about his former occupation.

"I met a fan who showed me some of my old movies," Johnson said. "I had never seen a lot of them. I thought they were pretty good. So, I wasn’t in a relationship, I was 40 and still looked okay, and I thought, if I’m gonna do it - I better do it now.” A quick phone call to agent Johnny Johnston, and Chad Johnson was back in the game.

He was older now. Always a challenge in an industry that values youth. Still... he was in great shape, his face was as striking as ever, and, of course, his ace in a hole... well, certain holes, anyway - that enormous dick of his. 

The industry welcomed him with open arms and the offers poured in once more. "Chad is truly one of the great, genuine guys in the business," said Director Gino Colbert, a man who has known Johnson for 15 years, "and he has only gotten more handsome with time.”

And Colbert was right. Time had only improved Johnson's looks. And that would indeed pay off handsomely. 

In 2000, Johnson would appear in six films, in 2001, four films and in 2003, three more. And once again, he'd find himself between the pages of magazines like Inches, Indulge, Unzipped, Numbers, and Men. The industry soon realized that not only had Johnson retained his old fan base, but now, thanks to his ability to reach a whole new demographic, he was rapidly developing a new fan base, as well.

There was a new market for men of his ilk; Johnson was 'a daddy' - and a hot commodity once more.

1997 

Addicted to Dick

2000 

All About Sex 

Demolition Daddy
Don't Ask Don't Tell
Echoes

Groom For Hire
Man Academy: Where Boys Grow Up!

2001 

Big As They Come 3
Joint: A Penile Institution
Men at Work
Tulsa County Line

2002 

Man Academy 2: Rites of Passage
Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth

White Trash

2003 

Giant: MSR's Big Dick Sex Club 1

2005 

Seven Deadly Sins: Redemption

Magazine Photo Spreads:

TORSO July 1997
UNZIPPED April 11, 2000

INDULGE Sept 2000

NUMBERS April 2001

INCHES Dec 2001
MEN Oct 2002

INCHES Feb 2005

But the industry?  It had changed a lot in the 20 years. And everything Johnson saw and experienced?  Well, in his estimation, those changes were not always for the best. "In the ’80s, you were treated like a star," he said. "Today, they use you up and spit you out. In fact, the money was better back then."

In 2002, upon receiving the AVN Hall of Fame Award, Johnson sat down with writer Vincent Lambert for an interview, published in Adult Video News magazine. Regarding the  AVN Hall of Fame Award, which proudly sits on a dresser in his bedroom, Johnson said, "It was important to me to win. I felt, finally, recognition! It felt really good." 

But it seems the legend was also at a turning point. "I might be done,” he said. “I enjoy doing the movies. They are cool, but work is work. Plus, I’m not getting any younger." 

True to his word, Johnson appeared in only one film in 2003 and one in 2005 and since then... nothing. It seems that Chad Johnson had once again walked off into the sunset... this time alone. 

But not without a plan.

Turns out, Johnson had a new career in mind - as a gemologist. And last anyone had heard, he was doing exactly that, living a much more private life in Redondo Beach, California. 

See? As promised... a story with two acts. And, amazingly enough, considering it happened in the world of gay porn?  Not one, but two happy endings.

--- ---

I was aware of Johnson's first act, but not his second. I remember the video box for his film Man Size. Very intriguing. But I don't remember seeing the film.

His is a great story. 

When I first became aware of him, I thought him handsome, but a little dull. 

With that said, time sure did him a lot of good... he is one of those men who's actually grown more handsome the older he gets. 

Yes... he sure is easy on the eyes.

Well, that's all for this week.

Until next time...

Thanks for reading.

Sunset People - Donna Summer

Sun Goes Down - Robin Schulz 

feat. Jasmine Thompson