Erotic Icon Peter Berlin Back in the Spotlight With New Book

Erotic Icon Peter Berlin Back in the Spotlight With New Book

LOS ANGELES — Erotic icon Peter Berlin — an influencer decades before the term was defined — has shed some of his carefully guarded privacy for the launch of a new book, “Peter Berlin: Icon, Artist, Photosexual.”

Berlin’s erotic filmography was slight — “Nights in Black Leather” in 1973 and “That Boy” in ‘74 ­— but massively influential. (A 2005 documentary by filmmaker Jim Tushinski, titled “That Man: Peter Berlin,” has become a cult favorite.)

The new book trains a spotlight on the “innumerable photographs, paintings and illustrations” featuring and created by Berlin and “pays tribute to the man who revolutionized the landscape of gay male eroticism and become an international sensation… a gay sex symbol and a walking work of art,” enthused a publishing rep.

“Cruising was his career, and with a background in photography, Berlin began taking thousands of erotic self-portraits in the parks, train stations and streets of Berlin, Rome, Paris, New York and San Francisco, where he settled in the early 1970s. As Berlin put it, ‘One day I looked at a camera and said, ‘I have found my dream lover.’”

The icon, now 76, was the guest of honor at a recent launch party where he carried “a photo of his younger face tacked to the top of a wooden tongue depressor,” observed a writer for New York Magazine's TheCut.com.

Berlin, although aware of his status as an elder statesman for several generations of gay men, has experienced what TheCut terms “a crisis of faith: the reality that the world never embraced his utopic idea of sexual freedom, cruising and sex. He sees the world as being robbed of pleasure by politics, jobs and responsibilities. ‘I never had a drive but getting laid,’ he says. ‘Getting out and having a good time. So, I had a fabulous life.’”

Ever the raconteur, Berlin remains hopeful he can inspire the citizenry to embrace a life focused on self-pleasure and “blatant sexuality.” His “single remaining fantasy,” he tells TheCut, is to see a biopic brought to fruition, “a complete account of his life stretching back to his mother fleeing from Russia.”

("I spent an hour in former gay porn star Peter Berlin’s hotel room talking sexual utopias, nude selfies and aging; per Berlin, we should quit working, dress like him and go get laid!" observed TheCut journalist Brock Colyar on Twitter.)

Click here for the story on TheCut.

"Peter Berlin: Icon, Artist, Photosexual," published in November by Damiani, is now available.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Haley Spades Stars in Latest From Immoral

Haley Spades stars with Charlie Dean, Matt Bird, and Dean Van Damme in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions, directed by "Porno Dan" Leal.

Octavia Red Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octavia Red has made her Vampired debut alongside Talia Mint and 2023 XMA Europas Female Performer of the Year Tiffany Tatum in the new feature “Hunters.”

Lily Starfire Fronts Latest From Brazzers

Lily Starfire stars with Kyle Mason in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Eating Ass Is the Game."

Country Hotwife Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Content creator Country Hotwife has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY, alongside her husband StagHubby and former XMAs Male Performer of the Year Isiah Maxwell.

Vixen Media Group Celebrates 10 Years of 'Tushy'

Vixen Media Group (VMG) is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of studio imprint Tushy.

Cherry Kiss Stars in Latest 'Blind Dates' From Bellesa

Cherry Kiss headlines the 16th volume of "Blind Dates," from Bellesa.

Emma Rosie Toplines Pat Myne's 'Gape For Days 5'

Emma Rosie headlines director Pat Myne's "Gape For Days 5," from Evil Angel.

Adult Time Drops 2nd Installment of Bree Mills Thriller 'Escape From Camp Conversion'

Adult Time has debuted the second episode of the Bree Mills-helmed thriller "Escape From Camp Conversion," from studio brand Girlcore.

Eris Jolie Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Eris Jolie has made her TransAngels debut alongside Bree Brooks in "A Very Filthy Cookout."

Liz Jordan Stars in Latest From Ricky's Room

Liz Jordan stars in the latest release from Ricky's Room, titled "The Plum Latex Anal Affair."

Show More