(a.k.a. Big Jon Fallus, Johnny Wadd, John Rey, Long John Wadd, , The Legend)

With a career spanning two decades, John C. Holmes racked up some very impressive numbers. He appeared in some 2,274 porno flics and reportedly had sex with more than 14,000 women and several thousand men. Without a doubt this made him the most well-known hard-core film star. His sizable talent.(13 plus inches) .began earning him between $3,000-$5000 a day and more than $500,000 in some years. John was a substantially endowed, young man that had found the best line of work he could imagine.

John C. Holmes (born John Curtis Estes) was from Pickaway County, Ohio. Born on August 8, 1944., this kid fell into rather severe treatment from his stepfather. At the tender age of twelve, this kid with a flawless attendance at Sunday school, lost his virginity courtesy of one of his mother's best friends. At the age of sixteen, John decided to escape the reign of a his terrible stepfather, lied about his age and signed on with the army. After three years his military stint was over and he headed to Southern California to join the early boom in the porno industry. It all started with stag films and low end arcade loops. But in 1970 things changed, John C. Holmes created a new type of character for the adult film industry, Johnny Wadd. Reportedly based on Sam Spade, the Johnny Wadd series was a breakthrough in porno films. It was definitely an adult film but with character development and plot. They were creating stories with acting (however bad). The second picture in this series was the first porno to gross over a million dollars.

In the mid 70's with his popularity on the raise John fell into hustling and male prostitution. His self-destructive tendencies and his need for drugs created a dangerous combination. To pay for his habits, he began stealing and turning tricks. Reportedly he would rip off friends, business partners and even the people in his string of lovers. By 1978, with his life out-of-control, the worst thing happened--impotence. The drugs and booze had taken it's toll on John's magic stick. It was a career disaster.

With a mounting debt and a large chemical dependency John turned to Eddie Nash. This nightclub owner began using Holmes as an errand boy for drugs and mild celebrity draw for this place. With the help of Nash John was able to survive but things soon changed with the Wonderland murders (sometimes called "Laurel Canyon" murders). On July 1, 1981, four people were found dead in house on Wonderland Ave. in Hollywood. The people were enemies of Holmes new boss, Nash. John became the number one suspect. After a lengthy trial John was acquitted of all charges on June 26, 1982 but because of his contempt charge for not implicating Nash, he sat in jail until November.

These 11 months in prison allowed Holmes to regain some glory with the return of his erection. Directors and producers again began to call on the superstar to provide some presence like only he could. His last appearance was in The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empress. Ironically, John would soon find out that he was hit with AIDS.

John died in Sepulveda, California on March 13, 1988, penniless with wife and porn star Misty Rain by his bed side. The 43 year old was the first male elected to both the AVN and XRCO Halls of Fame.

Click here to see videos starring John Holmes