This morning, I found out that an acquaintance, porn star Sergio Real, passed away over the weekend of liver cancer here in New York surrounded by friends from Unity Church of New York.
I can't recall anymore how I met Sergio - it was in those first few years of making movies (the mid to late 90s), running back and forth from New York where I was living then to Los Angeles where all the movies were shot at the time. Did I meet him through a New York club event (possibly on that Chi Chi shoot at Heaven?) or was it at some event in Los Angeles? I probably will never remember.
But for years Sergio, tall, Brazilian and swarthy, would envelop me whenever I'd see him out and about. He had an angular and yet boxy face that widened into an enormous smile whenever we'd meet. I can't recall anything other than a smile on Sergio's face in the years that I knew him.
For years we'd flirt - he was a charmer and always a treat to run into him when he'd visit from New York where he was living then and would continue to live for the rest of his days.
One of my best memories of Sergio, was the night, when, just over ten years ago now, I had him as a guest on my "Cocktails with the Stars" show at Micky's and had him bring his guitar. Sergio could really sing and play and the whole place was enchanted.
Usually porn stars trying to be singers is mostly kind of embarrassing, but Sergio was the real deal. And I and everyone else was astonished and charmed.
At one point some months later, Sergio came to visit me at my West Hollywood apartment - I don't even remember what the occasion was. I think I was putting a holiday party together and he offered to help me decorate.
The reason I don't remember that clearly because all the oxygen was sucked out of my brain when a hug goodbye turned into one of the most passionate kisses I've ever experienced (and that's saying something). Sergio's kisses consumed you and you were left helpless, breathless and dizzy. I would think about that kiss for some time to come. Still today, 11 years later, I can recall it and the rough sandpaper of his five o'clock shadow.
The years passed and, even though I returned to New York, our paths didn't cross again.
So, I say goodnight and goodbye to my Brazilian friend Sergio Real aka Sam Belama. A man who made a good many people happy, not the least of which was me with a kiss that I will never forget.
(photo above from Sergio's 2001 appearance at "Cocktails with the Stars", property of Will Clark World)
