The adult world is a little less bright this week with the passing of Stevie Forem, the man everyone knew and loved as “Cousin Stevie.” The director and reality TV icon passed away in a Los Angeles hospital on Sunday at the age of 85, following a sudden medical emergency. For fans and industry veterans alike, it’s the end of an era for a personality who brought unexpected warmth and mischievous humor to the forefront.
A Family Business and a Breakout Star
Many were first introduced to Stevie on the groundbreaking Showtime series Family Business. Running from 2003 to 2006, the show was a trailblazer, pulling back the curtain on the adult film world long before the days of OnlyFans and creator-centric platforms. It followed his younger cousin, Adam Glasser—famously known as director Seymore Butts—as he navigated the industry with his mother, Lila, and the unforgettable Cousin Stevie by his side.
Stevie wasn’t supposed to be the star. He started as a salesman for the company, but his charismatic, hilariously grumpy, and lovable personality made him an instant fan favorite. He was the quintessential cool old uncle, often seen flashing a middle finger and a mischievous grin at any camera that dared to film him.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Glasser confirmed the news: “It’s with a very heavy heart and tears in my eyes, that I have to announce the passing of my cousin, my friend and a man the world came to know as Cousin Stevie. He went peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning.” You can see his tribute on his profile @SeymoreButts.
Glasser told AVN that Stevie had suffered a “spinal cord stroke” in his sleep, a shocking event that led to his rapid decline. Describing his final visit to the hospital, Glasser shared the heartbreaking moment he learned his cousin had already passed.
“I was planning on going down there Sunday to see him again. And I did actually go down there Sunday to see him again… what they were doing was waiting for a nurse to be able to come and talk to me and tell me that he had passed at, like, 4:30 in the morning.”
From Reality Star to Director’s Chair
Stevie didn’t just bask in the reality TV spotlight; he jumped into the creative seat himself. He went on to direct the popular all-girl series Cousin Stevie’s Pussy Party, cementing his own legacy as a creator. He embraced his unexpected career path with open arms.
“He loved it. Gosh, he loved it,” Glasser recalled. “Because he never imagined himself in that position… That’s kind of an odd path, but he loved that path and he enjoyed every second of it. Thoroughly. He enjoyed being around, you know, the energy of the younger people and the celebrity that he got from it.”
This genuine joy is what made him so magnetic. He wasn’t playing a character; he was just Stevie, and audiences adored him for it. Tributes from across the industry have poured in, painting a picture of a man who was as kind as he was funny.
“A Real Mensch”
Friends and colleagues remember him not just for his on-screen antics but for his genuine warmth and friendship. Publicist Lainie Speiser shared a memory that perfectly captures his spirit.
“Cousin Stevie was like a long lost uncle to me—very sweet and caring, with a dash of pervert mixed in. Like the time he told me he would gift me a Hitachi Wand for my birthday that would have a photo of his face taped to the top! …A real mensch, as we say in the tribe.”
Hollywood sex tape broker Kevin Blatt shared a similarly wild anecdote, comparing a party Stevie hosted to a Gallagher comedy show because of the plastic bags handed out to the audience. “God bless Stevie and may his memory be a blessing,” Blatt said.
Former radio host Tony Batman remembered him as a “caring, ‘we can all win’ type of guy,” who bonded with him at the Playboy Mansion.
In his later years, Stevie enjoyed a quieter life by the beach in Marina Del Rey with his wife, Aimee. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, a groundbreaking TV show, and countless fond memories for those who knew him and those who just felt like they did.
As Lainie Speiser so perfectly put it in her farewell:
“I love you Stevie—look up my Dad for me, will ya?”
* Photo from avn.com
