LOS ANGELES — Retired male performer Joey Ray has passed away, according to a close industry friend.
Ray’s death at 51 was reported by fellow retired male talent Dale DaBone through a post and a video on his Facebook page. According to DaBone — who had been estranged from Ray for a time but felt they were “like brothers” — the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot.
Ray’s IAFD page lists almost 800 scenes and titles. The Boston native was active in the industry between 2000 and 2012; he also became a director for Bang Bros in 2009.
Ray performed for major studios such as Vivid, Wicked, Digital Playground, Elegant Angel, Hustler, Adam & Eve and many others.
“Now, the only thing I can think of is 25 years of all the fun, crazy, dumb shit we used to do,” said DaBone. “We always had each other’s back. All those times. That’s all I can think of right now.”
Richelle Ryan tweeted, “So sad hearing the news of the passing of Joey Ray; he was my scene partner for my first shoot in the industry back in July of 2006. Rest easy.”
XBIZ will continue adding to this report as more information becomes available.