He struggled with drugs and alcohol as a teenager, following the death of his father to colon cancer. After spending six months in rehab, he set his sights on a modeling career. In 1989, however, he ended up meeting Tony Davis, a gay porn actor, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

 

 

Chi Chi LaRue helped get him started, and his college boy good looks and expertise as a verbal bottom made him an instant success. He was so popular that even pop queen Madonna heard about him and had him model for her 1992 book Sex. He would later appear in her "Deeper and Deeper" music video.

 

He was also linked with celebrities and he famously outed movie producer David Geffen while being interviewed for The Closet Case Show for Manhattan cable TV. Geffen then publicly announced his sexuality.

 

 

Stefano continued to struggle with drugs and alcohol. And in 1990, he was diagnosed with HIV. Four years later, he died of a drug overdose.

 

Charles Isherwood explored Stefano's life and struggles in the book Wonder Bread and Ecstasy: The Life and Death of Joey Stefano. The book is being used as the basis for an upcoming biopic of the porn star, which will be directed by Chad Darnell (Magic Mike XXL and Miss Congeniality 2).

 

RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage will play a TV host named Anita and will help thread the story together.

 

The movie is scheduled to be released in 2018.