John Holmes was the undisputed King of Porn until his untimely death on March 13, 1988 at the age of 43. I worked with “Johnny Wadd” in four adult films, memories of which I’ll share below, and I’d like to think we became friends as well as costars.
Holmes’ death had a profound effect on the adult film industry as it had lost one of its key figures as it struggled to establish itself during the early years.
His unique and charismatic performances made him a fan favorite, and his absence left a void that was difficult to fill.
With Holmes no longer active in the industry, other performers tried to step into his shoes, but none could truly replicate his success and influence. This created an opportunity for new stars to emerge and for the industry to evolve in different directions. His legacy, however, cannot be denied.
Amber Lynn’s Movies/Scenes with John Holmes
Click the movie titles for more information and to watch these classic scenes for yourself. There’s no need to take my word for John’s contributions to the adult industry!
1.Body Shop (1984) – My scene with John took place in a Jacuzzi, and fans frequently mention it to me as one of their favorites. I vividly remember that the first time I laid eyes on his legendary penis, its size left me stunned and speechless!
The movie was directed by Henri Pachard and produced by VCA Pictures. It features a star-studded cast including myself, Taija Rae, Sharon Mitchell, and Joey Silvera and revolves around the story of a mysterious body shop where customers’ desires are fulfilled in the most sensual and erotic ways. Pachard’s direction and the exceptional performances by the cast make “Body Shop” a must-watch film for adult movie enthusiasts.
2. The Devil in Mr Holmes (1987) – I worked with both John Holmes and Tracy Adams in this film, and it was hands-down one of the hottest scenes I have ever shot. She was a huge crush of mine which came across on film every scene. Traci and I played German Tourists who encountered John, and I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.
It was directed by Giorgio Grand and stars John Holmes, Erminio Bianchi Fasani, Tracey Adams, myself and Karin Schubert. The story revolves around the character Robert, played by John, who faces personal struggles and finds pleasure in watching others engage in sexual activities.
3. Dickman and Throbbin (1986) – Talk about a fun set! John Holmes and Tom Byron starred with me in this hilarious spin on Batman and Robin in a scene that still brings me laughter today. Who doesn’t want to take a spin in the sheets with a superhero?
The movie holds a place in history as one of the very first porn parodies and was directed by Jerome Tanner. The film stars Tom Byron and John Holmes as the titular characters, who portray a duo known as SEXOCRISTS, who have the ability to transform frigid women into sex-craving individuals. It also featured Amber Lynn, Joanna Storm, and Keli Richards as some of the young ladies “rescued” by our intrepid heroes.
4 . The Rise of the Roman Empress (1987) – This was a memorable shoot, and not just because it was lensed in Rome, Italy. John Holmes, Cicciolina and myself starred in the adult industry take on a historical epic. It was John’s last movie before announcing he had contracted HIV. I was floored upon learning this, as were many of us girls, because I was dangerously unprotected.
Directed by Riccardo Schicchi and produced by Paradise Video, the film stars Cicciolina (Ilona Staller), a renowned porn star and eventually even an elected politician, as the Empress. It also featured myself, Christoph Clark and Tracy Adams.
5. Rub Down (1986) – Memorable for me due to the number of scenes and costars I had. I got to perform, over 4 scenes, with John, Jerry Butler, a G/G with Bunny Bleu, Kimberly Carson and Harry Reems.
The movie revolves around a character named Gail, who is fired by her terrible employer, Bixby, after she refuses to give in to his sexual advances.
John’s Diagnosis and More Controversy
What made this sad news even worse, is that John knew he had it when we last worked together. Gratefully, the universe protected me, and after several tests I was cleared with a full bill of health.
Another notorious controversy surrounding John Holmes was his involvement in the infamous Wonderland Murders in 1981. Holmes became a key figure in the investigation due to his association with the Wonderland Gang, a group involved in drug trafficking, and the gang perpetrated a violent home invasion where four people were brutally murdered. Although John was initially implicated in the murders, he struck a plea deal and testified against his former associates, which resulted in reduced charges and a shorter prison sentence. This event tarnished Holmes’s reputation and marked a turning point in his life for the remaining seven years of his short life.
John would eventually pass away from his disease and, despite the betrayal I felt at the time – the indelible mark he left on the world of porn will remain forever. Some of the reasons are good, and some less so, but John C. Holmes is remembered and a frequently mentioned part of popular culture to this day.