Colby Keller
{{short description|American pornographic actor and artist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Colby Keller
| image = Colby Keller - Maine, 2014 (photo by Leif Parker).jpg
| caption = Keller in Maine, 2014
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|10|18}}
| birth_place = Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| alma_mater = University of Houston, Texas
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore
| spouse =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}{{cite web|url=http://www.godsofmen.com/model/143/colby-keller/|title=Gods of Men :: Colby Keller|work=godsofmen.com|access-date=May 4, 2015}}
| alias = Colby
}}
Richard John Sawka II (born October 18, 1980), better known as Colby Keller, is an American visual artist and pornographic actor. His career in porn film started in 2004{{Cite web|url=http://www.iafd.com/person.asp?perfid=ColbyKeller&gender=male|title=Internet Adult Film Database|website=www.iafd.com}} at Sean Cody and subsequently expanded to include such studios as Cocksure Men, Randy Blue, Titan Men, Falcon, CockyBoys and Men.com. Keller has also appeared in the short Zolushka, a gay retelling of Cinderella, and in the series Capitol Hill, both by the filmmaker Wes Hurley.{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jinkx-monsoon-colby-kelle_b_7930328|title=Jinkx Monsoon, Colby Keller and Kenny Brain in Capitol Hill Season 2 Trailer|first=Wes|last=Hurley|date=August 4, 2015|website=HuffPost}}{{cite web|url=http://www.outfest.org/tixSYS/2014/filmguide/films/0288|title=Zolushka – 2014 Outfest|work=outfest.org|access-date=May 4, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Biography
Born October 18, 1980, in Michigan,{{Better source needed|date=April 2020|reason=not reliable web site}} Colby Keller was raised in Texas{{cite web|url=http://www.queerty.com/colby-keller-just-gave-away-everything-he-owns-for-a-new-lifeart-project-20140605|title=Colby Keller Just Gave Away Everything He Owns for a New Life/Art Project|date=June 5, 2014|work=Queerty|access-date=May 4, 2015}} where he graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor's degree in anthropology. In addition, he is a graduate of The Maryland Institute College of Art, with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in visual and performing arts.{{cite web|url=http://www.placestogoinlosangeles.com/events/96017-CEC-SWC-Present-A-Porn-Panel-Featuring-James-Deen-Colby-Keller-Tasha-Reign-Moderated-by-Dr-Chauntelle-Tibbals-3-4/|title=CEC + SWC Present A Porn Panel – Featuring James Deen, Colby Keller, Tasha Reign; Moderated by Dr. Chauntelle Tibbals – 3/4 @ Campus Events Commission – 03/04/2015 08:00 pm – Places to Go in Los Angeles|work=placestogoinlosangeles.com|access-date=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113110839/http://www.placestogoinlosangeles.com/events/96017-CEC-SWC-Present-A-Porn-Panel-Featuring-James-Deen-Colby-Keller-Tasha-Reign-Moderated-by-Dr-Chauntelle-Tibbals-3-4/|archive-date=January 13, 2016|url-status=dead}}
During his time performing in gay porn, Keller continued to work as an artist. His two most notable art projects are Pieces of Eight and Everything But Lenin, both collaborative performance pieces. Pieces of Eight involved multiple projects and multiple collaborations while Everything But Lenin involved giving away all of his earthly possessions with the exception a large metal plaque of Lenin and was precipitated by an eviction notice presented to residents of his Baltimore apartment complex in March 2014. Those who took part received a signed certificate as project participants.Baltimore City Paper [http://www.citypaper.com/special/sexissue/bcp-bone-to-run-porn-star-and-mica-grad-colby-keller-hits-the-road-searching-for-sex-and-art-in-every-st-20150210,0,2021328.story] Bone To Run: Porn star and MICA grad Colby Keller hits the road, searching for sex and art in every state
In addition to his porn performances and art projects, Keller appeared in a series of sex advice videos{{cite news|url=http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2012/03/28/colby-keller-has-sex-video-column|title=Colby Keller Has a Sex Video Column|work=out.com|date=March 28, 2012 |access-date=May 4, 2015}} (titled In Bed With Colby Keller) for Manhunt.{{cite web|url=http://manhuntdaily.com/2012/02/get-in-bed-with-colby-keller/|title=Manhunt Daily – Get in Bed With Colby Keller!|work=manhuntdaily.com|access-date=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527212038/http://manhuntdaily.com/2012/02/get-in-bed-with-colby-keller/|archive-date=May 27, 2015|url-status=dead}} The series ran from 2012 until 2014 and resulted in 62 videos.{{cite web|url=http://manhuntdaily.com/category/sex/in-bed-with-colby-keller/|title=Manhunt Daily – In Bed With Colby Keller|work=manhuntdaily.com|access-date=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504145040/http://manhuntdaily.com/category/sex/in-bed-with-colby-keller/|archive-date=May 4, 2015|url-status=dead}}
In 2012, Keller appeared in a masquerade-themed music video for the song "After Dark", by dance artists Undercover.{{cite web|url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/155428|title=Gay Porn Star Colby Keller in Undercover Music Video|author=XBIZ|work=XBIZ|date=October 17, 2012 |access-date=May 4, 2015}} And, in his 2013 music video for "Cannibal", Natti Vogel enlisted Keller to play a hooded witch to his tempted Hansel in a recreation of Hansel and Gretel.{{cite web|url=http://www.out.com/entertainment/music/2013/11/04/watch-colby-keller-objectifies-singer-natti-vogel-cannibal-0|title=WATCH: Colby Keller Objectifies Singer Natti Vogel In "Cannibal"|work=out.com|date=November 4, 2013 |access-date=May 4, 2015}}
In 2013, Keller collaborated with artist Cameron Stalheim on a project called Myth as Object, which resulted in a 2014 exhibit as Stalheim's MFA graduating thesis at the Maryland Institute College of Art.{{cite web|url=http://www.wetheurban.com/post/85085504834/spotlight-myth-as-object-by-cameron-stalheim|title=WETHEURBAN|work=wetheurban.com|access-date=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817195013/http://www.wetheurban.com/post/85085504834/spotlight-myth-as-object-by-cameron-stalheim|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=dead}} Keller's body was cast in silicone to create a thirty-foot long merman sculpture in his likeness.{{cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/artist-transforming-colby-keller-into-30-foot-merman-watch/12/2013/|title=Artist Transforming Porn Star Colby Keller into 30-Foot Merman: WATCH|work=NewNowNext|access-date=May 4, 2015}}
In 2014, Keller sold his belongings and began a project Colby Does America, composed of porn scenes filmed across every state in the United States.{{cite web |last1=Iñaki |first1=Iñaki |title=La industria de la moda se arrodilla ante el mundo del porno |url=https://www.revistagq.com/moda/articulos/moda-sexo-porno-colby-keller-vivienne-westwood/23244 |website=GQ España |date=January 26, 2016 |access-date=10 December 2020 |language=es-ES}}
In 2016, Keller was presented the Cybersocket Web Award for Best Personality.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cybersocketwebawards.com/past_winners.php|title=CyberSocketWebAwards|website=www.cybersocketwebawards.com}} He is a featured model in the 2016 Spring/Summer Vivienne Westwood Mirror the World campaign.{{Cite web|url=https://www.viviennewestwood.com/en/collections/vivienne-westwood/ss18-campaign/|title=Sites-westwood-Site|website=www.viviennewestwood.com}}
In 2017, he appeared in two episodes of the third season of EastSiders.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}
Politics
Keller is a communist who credits his communist beliefs to a strict Christian upbringing with the Assemblies of God.{{cite web|url=http://mic.com/articles/103530/meet-the-world-s-most-intellectual-porn-star#.hOpmqvG2j|title=Meet the World's Most Intellectual Porn Star|author=Scott Bixby|work=Arts.Mic|date=November 5, 2014 |access-date=November 25, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/10/colby-keller-porn-sex-work-communism-organizing/|title=Video: An Interview With Colby Keller|author=|work=Jacobin magazine|access-date=November 25, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.citypaper.com/special/sexissue/bcp-bone-to-run-porn-star-and-mica-grad-colby-keller-hits-the-road-searching-for-sex-and-art-in-every-st-20150210-story.html|title=Bone To Run: Porn star and MICA grad Colby Keller hits the road, searching for sex and art in every state|author=Norman Allen|work=City paper|access-date=November 25, 2015}}
Keller voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 United States presidential election, stating, "I'm going to vote for Trump! I think he's a destabilizing force{{nbsp}}...{{nbsp}}I don't support or endorse any of Trump’s policies. I just think it'll escalate the problem, which is the best we can hope for."{{cite news|last1=Villarreal|first1=Daniel|title=Gay Porn Star Colby Kelly Used To Be Hot, But He's Voting For Trump|url=https://unicornbooty.com/gay-porn-star-colby-keller-used-hot-hes-voting-trump/|access-date=4 November 2016|publisher=Unicorn Booty|date=7 Oct 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104205301/https://unicornbooty.com/gay-porn-star-colby-keller-used-hot-hes-voting-trump/|archive-date=November 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2017 |title=Colby Keller: Why I Voted for Donald Trump |url=https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2017/8/15/colby-keller-why-i-voted-donald-trump |url-status=live |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=The Advocate}}{{Cite web |author=Andy Towle|date=October 7, 2016 |title=Colby Keller: ‘I’m Going to Vote for Trump!’ |url=https://www.towleroad.com/2016/10/colby-keller-im-going-vote-trump/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Towleroad}}{{Cite web |last=Silver |first=Jocelyn |title=American History XXX |url=https://officemagazine.net/interview/american-history-xxx |url-status=live |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Office Magazine}}
Partial filmography
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| Year | Title | Production company |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Solo | Sean Cody |
| 2005 | Alabama Takedown | Joe Gage |
| 2006 | Men of Deepwater Beach | Joe Gage |
| 2007 | Solo | Randy Blue |
| 2008 | Leo Giamani | Randy Blue |
| 2009 | XXX | Falcon Studios |
| 2009 | Naked Kombat | Kink |
| 2010 | Samuel Colt | Cocksure Men |
| 2010 | Tales From Last Summer | Dragon Media |
| 2010 | Laid Off | Falcon Studios |
| 2010 | Depths of Desire | Falcon Studios |
| 2011 | The Other Side of Aspen VI: Angelo Marconi | Falcon Studios |
| 2011 | Bold Moves | Falcon Studios |
| 2011 | Indiscretion | Falcon Studios |
| 2011 | Late Night Hit | Hard Friction |
| 2011 | The Sauna | Men.com |
| 2011 | Alone on the Range | Raging Stallion |
| 2011 | Golden Gate 2: Ashley Ryder | Naked Sword |
| 2012 | Cole Streets | Cocksure Men |
| 2012 | MILK IT | Treasure Island Media |
| 2012 | The Boardroom | Men.com |
| 2012 | Lousy Artist | Men.com |
| 2012 | Secret Rendez-Vous | Men.com |
| 2012 | The Vandal | Men.com |
| 2012 | Dirty Director | Dragon Media |
| 2013 | A Thing of Beauty: Part One | CockyBoys |
| 2013 | A Thing of Beauty: Free To Be Me | CockyBoys |
| 2013 | A Thing of Beauty: The Gift | CockyBoys |
| 2013 | Talk To Me | CockyBoys |
| 2013 | Armed Forces Physical | Dragon Media |
| 2013 | Cowboys Part 1 | Falcon Studios |
| 2013 | Releasing Nerves | Men.com |
| 2013 | Dream Team | Naked Sword |
| 2013 | Relentless | Raging Stallion |
| 2014 | XXXMas Special: Colby Keller & Tayte Hanson | CockyBoys |
| 2014 | Gay of Thrones Part 4 | Men.com |
| 2014 | Colby Does Maryland | Colby Does America |
| 2014 | Zolushka
| | |
| 2015 | Capitol Hill | HuffPost |
| 2015 | Premiere: BCALLA FW15 Collection Colby Does NY | CockyBoys/Colby Does America |
| 2016 | High Maintenance | HBO |
| 2017 | EastSiders | Netflix |
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160818092906/http://bigshoediaries.blogspot.ca/ Keller's blog, Big Shoe Diaries]
- {{IMDb name|6315231|Colby Keller}}
- {{iafd name|id=colbykeller|gender=male|name=Colby Keller}}
- {{afdb name|id=59620|gender=male|name=Colby Keller}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Keller, Colby}}
Category:American actors in gay pornographic films
Category:American video artists
Category:Pornographic film actors from Michigan
Category:Male actors from Texas
Category:Artists from Michigan
Category:Gay pornographic film actors
Category:American male pornographic film actors
Category:Male actors from Baltimore
Category:Pornographic film actors from Maryland
Category:American sex worker activists
Category:University of Houston alumni
Category:American people of Polish descent
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:LGBTQ people from Maryland