Sean Michaels (actor)
Sean Michaels (born February 20, 1958) is an American pornographic actor, model, director and former trade union leader. In 2002, AVN ranked him 14th on their list of The Top 50 Porn Stars of All Time.[1] Michaels has also been inducted into the AVN, NightMoves, and XRCO Halls of Fame.
Sean Michaels | |
|---|---|
Michaels in Los Angeles, California in 2011 | |
| Born | February 20, 1958 |
| Years active | 1989–present |
Early life edit
Michaels was born Andre Allen and raised in Brooklyn, New York.[2] He attended Boys and Girls High School, the oldest public high school in Brooklyn.[2][3] After moving to the West Coast, he worked as a nurse for an urgent care facility in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.[citation needed] He also did runway and print modeling prior to entering the industry.
Career edit
Michaels started out working in the adult entertainment industry as a model for skin magazines. Dissatisfied with the portrayal of black men in pornography, which he saw as "very demeaning and stereotypical", Michaels began performing in adult films in 1989. Michaels chose his stage name by combining the first names of two male celebrities he admired: Sean Connery, whom he described as a "man's man, on and off camera", and Michael Jordan.
Michaels gained recognition in the industry after appearing in his mentor John Leslie's 1990 film Oh What A Night.[4] Micheals received the XBIZ Award for Woodsman of the Year in 1994. The following year, he was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame.[5] In 1996, he started his own film studio, Sean Michaels Productions, which was later changed to Sean Michaels International the following year when Anabolic Video began handling its distribution.
Along with Lisa Ann and Nikki Benz, Michaels hosted the XRCO Awards in April 2010.[6] In 2018, he performed in his first bisexual scene for Kick Ass Pictures.[7] In regards to the scene, Michaels commented, "I feel strongly about doing the things you want to do in life. Cuckold fans have been asking me for years to do bi scenes, and I'm happy to be making this move. I believe it's important for people to grow sexually in any way they choose."[7]
Legal dispute edit
In 2003, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) issued Michaels a cease and desist letter, asking him to stop using his name due to the similarity it had to wrestler Shawn Michaels.[8] Michaels name was already registered as a trademark, while Shawn Michaels had not registered his moniker.[9] Michaels announced he planned to countersue the WWE.[8] As of April 1, 2011, the trademark of "Sean Michaels" is no longer active.
Advocacy and impact edit
In 2016, Michaels was elected President of the Adult Performance Artists Guild, then the Adult Performers Actors Guild (APAG).[10][11] As President, he announced the APAG would push to raise the legal age to perform in adult films from 18 to 21, commenting that "it's 21 years old to drink, so you should have to be 21 to do porn."[11] Amidst criticism from APAG members who saw him as reducing his union participation,[12] Michaels officially resigned from his role.[13] He was replaced in the role by actress Alana Evans, who served as Vice President under him. Evans revealed that Michaels was being "blackballed" in the pornographic industry due to his guild participation.[12]
In the May 1997 issue of Vibe, he was labeled "the preeminent force in interracial erotic entertainment."[14] In her book A Taste for Brown Sugar: Black Women in Pornography, women's studies scholar Mireille Miller-Young notes how Michaels's portrayal of "suave and professional" characters in his films has challenged the stereotyping of black men as "sexual beasts" in pornography and expanded opportunities for black performers.[15] Violet Blue shares a similar sentiment in The Ultimate Guide to Adult Videos, calling Michaels a "major force in changing the face and attitudes of the adult industry towards black performers."[3] Blue concluded by dubbing him "the most famous black man to ever appear in porn."[3]
Select appearances edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Oh, What a Night! | Richard Parker | Breakthrough role | [4] |
| 2004 | Thinking XXX | Himself | Documentary | [16] |
| 2012 | Dave's Old Porn | Episode: "Retro Orgy Night" | ||
| 2018 | Black Bi Cuckolding | First performance in bisexual pornography | [7] | |
| Hot For Transsexuals 6 | First appearance in transgender pornography | [17] | ||
| 2022 | Sex Before the Internet | Episode: "Porn Awards" | [18] |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Nominated work and artist | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Nasty Girls | Best Video Group Sex Scene | Nominated | [19] |
| 1994 | Anus and Andy | Best Sex Scene, Video (Group) | Nominated | [20] |
| Sean Michaels | Male Performer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 1995 | In the Bush | Best Actor—Video | Nominated | [21] |
| Sean Michaels | Hall of Fame | Won | [5] | |
| Male Performer of the Year | Nominated | [21] | ||
| 1996 | Visions | Best Couples Sex Scene—Video | Nominated | [22] |
| World Sex Tour, Vol. 1 | Best Group Sex Scene—Video | Won | [23] | |
| The Passion | Most Outrageous Sex Scene | Nominated | [22] | |
| 1997 | Sean Michaels | Male Performer of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1998 | Butt Banged Naughty Nurses | Best Anal Sex Scene—Video | Won | [24] |
| Dinner Party 2 | Best Couples Sex Scene—Film | Nominated | [25] | |
| Face Jam | Best Supporting Actor—Video | Nominated | ||
| Sean Michaels | Male Performer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 1999 | Sean Michaels' Up Your Ass 7 | Best Anal Sex Scene—Video | Nominated | [26] |
| Tushy Heaven | Won | [27] | ||
| Fresh Meat 5 | Best Group Sex Scene—Video | Nominated | [26] | |
| Tushy Heaven | Won | [27] | ||
| Sean Michaels | Male Performer of the Year | Nominated | [26] | |
| 2000 | We Go Deep | Best Couples Sex Scene—Video | Nominated | [28] |
| Sean Michaels | Male Performer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | Sean Michaels | Male Performer of the Year | Nominated | [29] |
| 2007 | Fuck | Best Anal Sex Scene – Film | Nominated | [30] |
| Elastic Assholes 4 | Best Anal Sex Scene – Video | Nominated | ||
| Fuck | Best Group Sex Scene – Film | Nominated | ||
| Janine's Been Blackmaled | Nominated | |||
| Racial Tension | Best Sex Scene Coupling – Video | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Orgy World: The Next Level 11 | Best Group Sex Scene – Video | Nominated | [31] |
| 2009 | Succubus of the Rouge | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | [32] |
| 2010 | Semen Sippers 7 | Best Threeway Sex Scene | Nominated | [33] |
| Bobbi Starr & Dana DeArmond's Insatiable Voyage | Best Double Penetration Sex Scene | Won | [34] | |
| LA Pink: A XXX Porn Parody | Best Actor | Nominated | [33] | |
| Best Double Penetration Sex Scene | Nominated | |||
| Sean Michaels | Male Performer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Interracial Fuck Sluts | Best Three-Way Sex Scene (B/B/G) | Nominated | [35] |
| 2012 | Orgy: The XXX Championship | Best Group Sex Scene | Nominated | [36] |
| 2013 | School of Black Cock | Best Double Penetration Sex Scene | Nominated | [37] |
| Elastic Assholes 10 | Best Three-Way Sex Scene (B/B/G) | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Double Black Penetration | Best Double Penetration Sex Scene | Nominated | [38] |
| 2016 | True Lust | Best Three-Way Sex Scene - (B/B/G) | Nominated | [39] |
| Adriana's a Slut | Best Group Sex Scene | Nominated | ||
| 2017 | This Ain't American Horror Story XXX | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | [40] |
| The Booty Queen 2 | Best Double Penetration Sex Scene | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | Anal Warriors 3 | Best Anal Sex Scene | Nominated | |
| 2020 | Hot for Transexuals 9 | Best Transgender Group Sex Scene | Nominated | [41] |
| Year | Nominated work and artist | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Sean Michaels | Male Fan Favorite | Won | [42] |
| 1997 | Won | |||
| 1998 | Won |
| Year | Nominated work and artist | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Sean Michaels | Best Actor (Fan's Choice) | Won | [43] |
| 2003 | Best Director (Fan's Choice) | Won | [44] | |
| 2007 | NightMoves Hall of Fame | Won | [45] |
| Year | Nominated work and artist | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Sean Michaels | Best Non-TS Male Performer | Won | [46] |
| 2021 | Nominated | [47] |
| Year | Nominated work and artist | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Sean Michaels | Best Male Performer | Nominated | [48] |
| Urban X Hall of Fame | Won | [49] | ||
| 2011 | Cougar on the Prowl | Best 3 Way Sex Scene | Nominated | [50] |
| 2012 | Anal Buffet 7 | Best 3-Way Sex Scene | Nominated | [51] |
| Best Anal Sex Scene | Nominated | |||
| Black Diamonds | Best Couples Sex Scene | Nominated | ||
| Daddy Knows Best | Nominated |
| Year | Nominated work and artist | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | L.A. Pink | Acting Performance of the Year — Male | Nominated | [52] |
| Sean Michaels | Male Performer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Diesel Dongs 28 | Best Scene — Non-Feature Release | Nominated | [53] |
| 2017 | This Ain't American Horror Story XXX | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | [54] |
| 2018 | Anal Warriors 3 | Best Sex Scene — Gonzo Release | Nominated | [55] |
| Sun-Lit | Best Sex Scene — Vignette Release | Nominated | ||
| 2019 | Carnal | Best Sex Scene — All-Sex Release | Nominated | [56] |
| 2021 | The TransAngels Motorcycle Club | Best Sex Scene — Trans | Nominated | [57] |
| Year | Nominated work and artist | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Arabian Nights | Best Anal Sex Scene | Won | |
| Slave to Love | Group Sex Scene | Won | ||
| Sean Michaels | Woodsman of the Year | Won | ||
| 1999 | Tushy Heaven | Best Anal or D.P. Scene | Won | [58] |
| 2000 | Sean Michaels | Male Performer of the Year | Nominated | [59] |
| XRCO Hall of Fame | Won | [60] |
References edit
- ^ . Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
- ^ a b Mark Kernes (August 10, 2012). "Sean Michaels Is at Work on 1st Volume of Autobiography". AVN. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
- ^ a b c Blue, Violet (October 1, 2003). The Ultimate Guide to Adult Videos: How to Watch Adult Videos and Make Your Sex Life Sizzle. Cleis Press Start. p. 168. ISBN 1573447056.
- ^ a b "Sean Michaels says he's sweating this Monday morning". AVN. March 11, 1999. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ a b . RAME. July 18, 1995. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ Wade Garrett (2010-02-17). "Nikki Benz, Lisa Ann and Sean Michaels to Host XRCO Awards". AVN. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
- ^ a b c Smithberg, Allen (August 8, 2018). "Sean Michaels Performs 1st Bi Scene for CumEatingCuckolds.com". AVN. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ a b Majors, Frank (January 24, 2003). "Will The Real Sean Michaels Please Throw Down?". AVN. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ Steve Nelson. . Adult Industry News, January 23, 2003. Accessed 8 September 2008.
- ^ Warren, Peter (August 11, 2016). "Union Chapters Issue Statement on Court's False Endorsement Decision". AVN. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Snow, Aurora (May 27, 2016). "Porn's First Union President: Performers Should Be 21+ Only". The Daily Beast. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Rodrigo, Chris Mills (September 14, 2021). "President of newly recognized union for adult performers boosts membership". The Hill. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
- ^ "News From The Officers Of APAG". APAG. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ Morales, Robert. . Vibe.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 1997. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ Miller-Young, Mireille (October 30, 2014). A Taste for Brown Sugar: Black Women in Pornography. Duke University Press. p. 219. ISBN 978-0-8223-7591-3.
- ^ "Thinking XXX". TV Guide. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "Hot For Transsexuals 6". AVN. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ Parkman, Dave (November 21, 2022). "Vice TV to Premiere 'Sex Before the Internet' Docuseries". XBIZ. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ "The 1991 Adult Video News Awards Show". Official Program. Upper Darby, Pennsylvania: AVN Publications, Inc. January 12, 1991.
- ^ "The 1994 AVN Awards Show". Official Program. Upper Darby, Pennsylvania: AVN Publications, Inc. January 8, 1994.
- ^ a b Ross, Gene (March 1995). "Star Light, Star Bright, First Star We See Tonight...". Adult Video News. Vol. 10, no. 3. Los Angeles, California: AVN Publications, Inc. pp. 24–82. ISSN 0883-7090.
- ^ a b Stone, Mark (Director) (1996). The 1996 AVN Awards (videotape). VCA Pictures.
- ^ . RAME. January 8, 1996. Archived from the original on December 6, 1998. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ . RAME. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ "History: The 1998 AVN Awards Show". Official Program. Van Nuys, California: AVN Publications, Inc. January 9, 1998.
- ^ a b c "Choices". 1999 AVN Awards Show Program. Van Nuys, CA: AVN Publications, Inc. January 9, 1999.
- ^ a b . AVN. Archived from the original on October 13, 1999. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ . March 2, 2000. Archived from the original on March 2, 2000. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ^ (PDF). November 25, 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 26, 2005. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
- ^ . 2006. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 27, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 5, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ a b . Archived from the original on 4 March 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
- ^ "2010 AVN Award Winners Announced". AVN. January 13, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ (PDF). AVN. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 29, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ (PDF). AVN. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 29, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ (PDF). AVN. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 28, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ . AVN. Archived from the original on January 26, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ . AVN. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ . AVN. November 17, 2016. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ "2020 Nominees". AVN. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ "Adult Video Awards - The FANS OF X-RATED ENTERTAINMENT", Retrieved 19 April 2007, Archived at: June 24, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ . NightMoves. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ Dirty Bob (September 16, 2003). "11th Annual Nightmoves Entertainment Awards Announced". AVN. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ Peter Warren (October 11, 2007). "2007 NightMoves Award Winners Announced". AVN. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ JC, Adams (May 10, 2020). "Winners Announced for 2020 TEAs". XBIZ. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ "2021 TEAs Nominees Announced". XBIZ. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ Hunter, Tod (April 21, 2008). "Urban Spice Awards Talent Nominees Announced". AVN. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ Javors, Steve (June 11, 2008). "Urban Spice Awards Announces First-Ever Winners". XBIZ. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ . Urban X Awards. June 15, 2011. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Johnson, Bob (June 27, 2012). "Urban X Awards Nominations Announced". XBIZ. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Javors, Steve (December 16, 2009). "XBIZ Announces Finalist Nominees for 2010 XBIZ Awards". XBIZ. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ . XBIZ. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ Pardon, Rhett (November 17, 2016). "XBIZ Announces Finalist Nominees for 2017 XBIZ Awards". XBIZ. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ Freixes, Alejandro (November 16, 2017). "XBIZ Announces Finalist Nominees for 2018 XBIZ Awards". XBIZ. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ Freixes, Alejandro (November 15, 2018). "XBIZ Announces Finalist Nominees for 2019 XBIZ Awards". XBIZ. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ "2021 XBIZ Awards Nominees Announced". XBIZ. November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ Jared Rutter (May 1999). . AVN. Archived from the original on October 20, 2000. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
- ^ "XRCO nominations". AVN. March 14, 2000. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "XRCO Awards Not Stolen - The Show Goes On Anyway". AVN. March 20, 2000. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
External links edit
- Sean Michaels at IMDb
- Sean Michaels at the Internet Adult Film Database
- Sean Michaels at the Adult Film Database