Lost Boys: Vintage Images of Tony Bravo

Lost Boys: 

Vintage Images of Tony Bravo

This one was suggested by a reader. 

Proof, once again, that you don't have to do many films to have a lasting impact in the world of gay porn, Tony Bravo, who only appeared in seven films, has a huge fan base to this day. And one look at him in his prime? And you will understand why.

His story is a brief one, but truly interesting. During his short time in the spotlight, Bravo somehow managed to achieve not only fame, but romance as well - a romance engineered and celebrated by the industry. 

His relationship with Christopher Benson? Truly unique and one for the ages.

Tony Bravo
AKA: Tony Bello, Tony Bellos, Michael Pietri, Tony Montana
Years Active: 1984-1990

Birth: 12/23/1958

Birthplace: Puerto Rico

Death: July 25, 1990, Forestville, CA

Height: 5'8"
Endowment: 8"

Tattoos: Teddy bear right of center of lower abdomen
Hair: Black/Dark Brown
Eyes: Brown

Films: 7

Compilations: 21

Studios: NOVA, Falcon, Malibu, Catalina, In-Hand, and Old Reliable.

 
Magazines:

Advocate Men, July 1985 

Torso, July 1985

Torso, Sept 1985

Men of Advocate Men, Jan/Feb 1986

Advocate Men, Feb 1986
Just Men, July 1986

Men of Advocate Men, July/Aug 1986

Men of Advocate Men, Nov 1986 

Men of Advocate Men, Jan 1987

Jock, May 1988

Men of Advocate Men, Nov 1988

Manshots, Jan 1989

Men of Advocate Men, Sept 1989

Torso, Dec 1989
Male Pictorial, Nov 1990
Manshots, Dec 1990

Michael Pietro was born in Puerto Rico. “But I’m Italian,” he insists. He spoke at length about his childhood as part of a photospread in Advocate Men.

"My father’s a Roman, my mother was born in Fiesole (a town above the city of Florence in the Tuscany region). We spoke Italian at home to keep back the tide of Spanish, English, German and Dutch that would have swamped my parents otherwise."

He continued... 

"My father worked at a radio telescope facility. The other astronomers came from all over the world, from Europe mostly, but also Japan - even though it was an American project. He never did tell us exactly what he did. All I know is it wasn’t Arecibo, the extraterrestrial transmitter you hear about on TV."

In 1972, Pietro's father was transferred to a top-secret aerospace lab in Orange County. From that same interview:

“By now I feel like a native Californian. Out here, five years equal roots; 12 years make me practically a conquistador.” 

Young Pietro would go on to work for the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department. His first assignment was the zoo, but then he was transferred to Griffith Park. He fell in love with a man and decided to move to San Francisco. However, they proved to be sexually incompatible and the relationship didn't last long.  As he explained in that same interview:

"Sex was great for a while. He’s a real bottom - you could almost say a Mo-hole. But reciprocity is more my style."

It was also reported that Pietro supplemented his income by working as a hairdresser.

By 1984, Pietro made his gay porn film debut in Boys Town/Going West Hollywood, and Tony Bravo was born. 

He would go on to work with acclaimed porn directors like Bill Clayton, Chris Stevens and Jean Yves LeCastel. Known for his infectious smile and friendly disposition, Bravo was always ready, willing and able to perform for the cameras. Photogenic, he also became a popular coverboy/centerfold model for various mens magazines. 

1984

Boys Town/Going West Hollywood

1985 

Other Side of Aspen 2

Santa Monica Boulevard

1986 

Advocate Men Live (w/ Christopher Benson)
Discharged
Powertool

Glenn Swann Video Games 4

A truly versatile performer, in one of his most famous scenes he played a prison guard being savaged by Jeff Stryker, in 1986's Powertool. Another memorable moment was his scene with Giorgio Canali in 1985's The Other Side of Aspen, Part Two.

Scott O'Hara shared a story in his autobiography, Autopornography: A Memoir of Life in the Lust Lane, stating that the night before the orgy scene in The Other Side of Aspen Part 2, he and Tony Bravo hooked up and he performed oral sex on Bravo. 

The next day, during the filming of the orgy scene, O'Hara kept trying to get near enough to Bravo so he could fuck him, but the director kept them apart, which O'Hara found frustrating. Also, Bravo had a hard time getting hard for the orgy scene, due to having shot his load down O'Hara's throat the night before. Not that it had the slightest impact on Bravo's performance; he was performing as a bottom in the scene. 

Falcon Studios' photographer, Fred Bisonnes, remembers Bravo fondly: ”As huggable as the little panda bear tattooed on his groin... Tony was a genuine delight to work with: first alone for Advocate Men (getting the cover); the second time with his real-life partner, Christopher Benson, again for Advocate Men (racking up another cover); then recreating the Bravo-Benson magazine spread for the premier of A-MEN Live! (1986) and finally, with me privately in San Francisco, for my never-finished book and video projects. I last ran into (him) on Castro Street in the very early 1990's, with his hair then shoulder-length."

When it came to Bravo's off-screen love life, Advocate Men would prove an interesting catalyst. The magazine was holding a contest, accepting amateur photos of their readers. An aerospace engineer from San Diego named Christopher Benson submitted his photos along with a note: “I really enjoy the pictures in Advocate Men and was especially turned on by your August 1985 cover man, Tony Bravo. My fantasy is to be photographed with him, though don’t expect that would be possible."

Benson's blonde good looks, buff body and ample assets, along with his proposition, intrigued the staff at Advocate Men. They approached Bravo about doing a potential photoshoot. Once they sent him a few photos of Benson, Bravo's reply? 

At 10:00 the next morning they got a phone call: “Yes. When does he get here?”

The two hit it off right away and spent the day of the initial photo shoot chatting and flirting. From that point on, Bravo began spending weekends in San Diego. When it came time for their February issue in 1986, Advocate Men decided to do a cover story on the couple, to celebrate their blissful union. 

The two would also appear on film together in 1886's Advocate Men Live and Glenn Swan's Discharge.

And that's when the trail grows cold. 

According to what I read, the two were still a couple in July of 1990, when Bravo died on the 25th due to complications of the AIDS virus. He was only 31 years old.

Sadly, I was unable to locate any further information regarding what became of his partner, Christopher Benson. 

--- ---

Bravo is an example of what I call a 'pony boy'; compact body, dark good looks, an intriguing smile, and a dick that could serve as a kickstand! This type has never returned my interest, which I suppose is why I continue to find them so intriguing.

I don't recall any of his films, though his photos have popped up many times while I've been researching other porn stars. Had it not been for the suggestion left by a reader in the comments section, I doubt I would have learned about Bravo and Benson's unique romance. 

If they put it in a Hollywood Rom Com? I would never believe it.

If you have any suggestion for this series, let me know in the comments section. 

Note: any actor suggested should qualify as a 'classic' gay porn star circa 1970's/1980's - the earlier the better. Also keep in mind that finding personal information on these guys? A roll of the dice. 

That's all for now. Thanks for reading. 

Love At First Sight - Kylie Minogue 

Love @ 1st Sight - Mary J. Blige