There are legends in the adult industry, and then there’s Tommy Pistol. For two decades, he’s been the industry’s punk-rock poet, its comedic madman, and its dramatic heavyweight, often all in the same year. He’s the guy who went from the New York sketch comedy scene to defining “alt-porn” with Burning Angel, and he’s collected a mountain of awards along the way. But after 20 years, Tommy isn’t taking a victory lap. He’s standing at a crossroads, looking for the next creative fire to stoke.
It all started with a simple, fateful moment. “True story: When I was a young guy, I threw a coin into a fountain, and my wish was to be famous,” Pistol tells XBIZ in a recent chat. He adds with his signature self-deprecating wit, “I should have been more specific.”
That mix of humor and humble ambition defines his career. Now, he’s channeling that energy into a new chapter.
“Where I am at currently, I would say, is a fork in the road. After 20 years performing, I am at a point where I need to start getting serious about the next step.”
The Scorsese and De Niro of Porn
Pistol clarifies he’s far from done performing, but his focus is shifting. A huge part of his current creative drive is his powerful collaboration with acclaimed director Ricky Greenwood. Their partnership has become one of the industry’s most dynamic, with Pistol as the chameleon actor bringing Greenwood’s ambitious visions to life.
Their next big project is “Strip,” a high-profile Dorcel feature set for a 2025 release, which also marks a major comeback for superstar Riley Reid. For Pistol, it’s more than just another movie; it’s a career milestone.
“I’m really excited about ‘Strip.’ It’s one of the best roles I’ve ever had. Ricky allowed me to portray a truly multidimensional character, to give him a backstory and really make him come to life.”
In the film, Pistol plays a sleazy strip club owner battling a gambling addiction. He’s not a simple villain, but a product of a world that chews people up. “The world sucks, and if you don’t fucking fight to get what you want, you fucking die,” he explains of his character’s mindset. It’s the kind of complex role he lives for, a far cry from the one-note parts he felt bored by years ago.
Greenwood is known for dramatically transforming Pistol for roles, like the bald, aging biker in 2022’s “Grinders.” This physical metamorphosis helps Pistol unlock the character on a deeper level. The respect between the two is palpable.
“Ricky is one of the people who really saw my drive and my talent and what I could bring,” Pistol shares. “He believed in me, so I want to always give him the best that I have.”
From Performer to Director
This desire to create is pushing Pistol behind the camera. He’s currently directing for Kink.com, a studio he’s been with since the beginning of his career, and is looking to expand his directing portfolio. It’s a natural evolution for someone who has been a creative force on set for years, even when he wasn’t in the director’s chair.
“I choreographed and wrote and directed and acted in some parodies that made the most money the industry ever made,” he affirms. But breaking out of the “performer” box isn’t always easy.
“It’s an old story: you can perform for studios… but sometimes they just see you as talent,” he says. “When you propose a creative project, they look at you like you’ve got a chicken on your head.”
Crossing Over and Pushing Boundaries
Pistol’s creative ambitions have always stretched beyond adult film. He’s fresh off a role in the mainstream indie drama “The Long Run,” directed by Mylissa Fitzsimmons, which has been earning buzz on the festival circuit. Playing a straight dramatic role in a busy diner was a challenge he relished, and hearing audiences call his performance “brilliant” was a powerful validation.
On the flip side is the frustrating saga of “On the Edge,” a body horror film from cult directors the Soska Sisters. The movie, which features a grueling and vulnerable lead performance from Pistol, was shot years ago but remains stuck in distribution limbo. “It was literally the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he says of the role. “I hope they sort things out and people can see it.”
The experience highlights a theme in Pistol’s career: the struggle against perception. “Once people hear you do porn, it’s a different conversation,” he reflects.
The Fire Still Burns
Looking ahead, Pistol is inspired by the new wave of creators like Little Puck who are taking control of their work and building their own brands. It’s a model that resonates with him as he plots his next moves, which include a TV pilot he wrote with his partner called “Red-Light,” about a performer transitioning out of the industry.
After two decades of puppets, parodies, horror, and high drama, Tommy Pistol is still evolving, still hungry, and still one of the most compelling artists in any medium. He’s proven he has the talent and the vision. Now, he’s ready to build the next stage of his career himself.
“Twenty years on this journey, and I still keep learning as I go,” he concludes. “It is not easy. It’s challenging. But that’s the game: learning, and having that fire underneath to keep me going.”
* Thumbnail from xbiz.com
