Lost Boys: Vintage Images of Bobby Kropp

Lost Boys:

Vintage Images of Bobby Kropp

Bobby Kropp is yet another example of someone who was not an integral part of the gay porn industry for long, but managed to make a lasting impact. 

He only appeared in two films, but one of those, NOVA Studio's 1979 His Little Brother, is considered an absolute classic. His image is also memorialized thanks to his work with Bob Mizer's Athletic Model Guild. 

What made him so special? 

It was a combination of natural, unforced charisma, a face the camera loved, and a physique which embodied the 'California' look. 

He was everybody's high school crush. The Quarterback. 

The Homecoming King.

Untouchable, but approachable.

So, let's take a look at the man behind the name. 

Bobby Kropp

AKA: Robert W. Kropp, Les Harmon
Birthdate: January 6, 1957

Birthplace: Fresno, CA

Death: July 18, 2015

Hair: Blonde/Brown

Eyes: Blue

Films: 2

Studios: NOVA

Robert W. Kropp was born in Fresno, CA on January 6, 1957. He was accompanied by a twin brother, Richard. The two would grow up in a family which included two sisters; Lois and Stephanie. In a future photo set, it's stated that he was "raised in Hawaii and Athens, Greece", but who knows if that's true or merely marketing. Kropp would join the Marines right out of high school and serve until discharged in 1978. So it is possible he may have been stationed in those two locales.

Fresh out of the Marines, he was discovered by Bob Mizer, of the Athletic Model Guild. Over the next couple of months, according to the Bob Mizer Foundation, the legendry photographer would take over 400 photos of the handsome, athletic Kropp. 

A portion of one of those photo shoots was actually filmed. In addition, reportedly, there exists a solo masturbation short which was included in a film anthology, since lost.

His work as a physique model led to film work for NOVA Studios, then owned and operated by Scott Masters. Kropp would appear in only two films, 1979's His Little Brother and 1980's The Delivery Boy.

1979

His Little Brother

1980 

House Calls 

Appearing under the alias Les Harmon, His Little Brother co-starred an actor dubbed Terry Harmon. Their segment (NOVA films were generally anthologies featuring three to four film shorts) involved the younger brother racing home from school and hiding in his older brother's closet so he could play peeping tom while Kopp masturbated on his bed. The younger brother is caught and the two end up getting down and dirty. The film was also rolled out as a pictorial magazine, titled His Big Brother, which proved quite popular, resulting in multiple printings.

The Delivery Boy is exactly what you would expect and appeared as part of the NOVA anthology House Calls. His co-star was Chris Dean. 

Kropp would leave the industry shortly after completing the films, though his legacy would live on; two other porn actors would adopt his last name: David Kropp and Mark Kropp (both unrelated.)

Kropp would eventually settle in Arlington, NE. It's not known if he ever married, but he would sire a son, Robert Kropp, Jr. and a daughter Amanda Marie Kropp. He passed away on July 18, 2015 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Omaha, NE.  Kropp was survived by his children and all his siblings. No mention of a wife or ex-wife was made in his obituary. 

A memorial service was held on August 3, 2015 at Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, NE., with the Rev. Bob Hayden officiating. There was no visitation and funeral arrangements were handled by Reckmeyer-Moser Funeral Home in Arlington, NE

He was 58 years old. 

Cremated, his ashes were given to his family. 

--- --

I adore His Little Brother. I think it's my all-time favorite classic porn movie. I realize it's part of that rather questionable genre - incest (coupled with the additional implication that both actors are still in high school), but I think because it was one of the first ones I ever saw, it sort of imprinted itself on my brain. 

There are many great moments in the film (and the clothes the actors wear are spot on), but the most memorable has to be the money shot Kopp generates while masturbating on his bed, solo. He arches his back up  and then the shot is replayed in slow motion. It absolutely stays with you. 

He's also adorable. Handsome, athletic, perfect hair... he's the homecoming king we all want to go to the prom with. And thanks to the miracle of movie magic, his image will be preserved forever, frozen in time. 

After spending time looking at his photos, I came to realize that the reason I like him so much? Because he reminds me of David Ashfield - one of my all-time favorite vintage stars. 

That's the beauty of gay porn: male beauty captured at its zenith. 

That's all for today. 

Leave your thoughts in the comments section. Always a pleasure to hear from you.

Thank you for reading.

Hey, Brother - Avicii

What's Going On/What's Happening Brother

- Marvin Gaye