LOS ANGELES — Award-winning director Robby D. has passed away, close industry friends and associates confirmed today.
The Southern California native was in his mid-50s, and the cause of the death has not been confirmed.
Robby D. had been active in the adult industry from 1992, with over 350 directing credits on IAFD. He was still directing and about to enter his third decade in the business.
After his beginnings at Vivid, Robby D. became best known for his era-defining work with Digital Playground starting in 2003. More recently, he had been directing for Mile High.
Robby D. won “Best Director — Body of Work” at the 2012 XBIZ Awards.
He was responsible for several “Jack’s” series, starting with the popular, and eventually multi-volume, “Jack’s Playground.”
A close collaborator to Digital Playground’s Joone and Samantha Lewis, Robby D. used his UCLA film school background as part of the creative team behind the cinematic-style projects that became Digital Playground’s signature productions.
“I remember meeting Robby when I was new to the business and he was working with Vivid,” performer and APAG union president Alana Evans told XBIZ. “He loved action sports, and really enjoyed incorporating that into films. He was always kind and respectful, and I truly enjoyed knowing him.”
The iconic Digital Playground contract star Riley Steele reminisced on Twitter how Robby D. used to motivate her saying “Riley ride, Riley thrive.”
“Robby D was an angel,” Steele added, commenting on his generosity.
Fellow digital playground Teagan Presley tweeted, “Very sad to hear the passing of Robby D. He brought me to Digital Playground. We worked closely as colleagues and just going to lunch daily during my Digital Playground days. It was an amazing time in my life and I’ll carry the many memories with me.”
Danny Mountain tweeted, “RIP Robby D. One of the best directors back in the day for Digital Playground and also the first director I worked for back in April 2008. Another legend of the game gone too soon.”
“Just heard Robby D. passed away,” Carmen Valentina tweeted earlier this evening. “I just texted him like two weeks ago, he told me he was battling COVID for a few weeks, but I never expected this would happen to him. He was sooo sweet, fun to be around with, and most importantly a kind hearted person. He will be missed.”
XBIZ will continue updating this article as more information and remembrances become available.