to its target gay audience (having earned, in the words of one critic, a "nationwide gay housekeeping seal of approval") Donovan himself was judged as simply "no better nor worse [an] actor than most of the others [in the cast]." In 1983, he turned his hand to producing, with an unsuccessful Broadway revival of Terrence McNally's play The Ritz in which he also appeared. Donovan's iconic status allowed him to build a lucrative career as a high-priced prostitute, though it would cost him his legitimate modeling career as more and more clients made the connection between model Culver and porn star Donovan. He wrote an advice column, "Ask Casey," for the gay-oriented Stallion magazine beginning in 1982. Personal life In 1973, Donovan met actor-turned-writer Tom Tryon, and the two entered into a long-term relationship the following year. Tryon was deeply closeted and grew increasingly disturbed by Donovan's notoriety. Their relationship ended in 1977. In 1978, Donovan purchased a house in Key West, Florida, to run as a bed and breakfast dubbed "Casa Donovan." He struggled to keep it and the business eventually failed. More successful was his time as a celebrity tour guide, conducting all-gay trips in partnership with an outfit called Star Tours to Italy, China, Peru and other destinations. Later years and death By 1985, Donovan's health had begun to deteriorate after he contracted HIV. Although he had counseled his fans through his "Ask Casey" column as early as 1982 to take steps to avoid contracting HIV by reducing their number of sexual partners and urging his fans to be tested for HIV once the test was developed, Donovan did not heed his own advice. He made little or no effort to change his own behavior despite knowing that contracting HIV was then-considered terminal, with virtually no treatment options. On August 10, 1987, Donovan died of an HIV/AIDS-related pulmonary infection in Inverness, Florida, aged 43. See also LGBT culture in New York City List of LGBT people from New York City List of male performers in gay porn films List of pornographic movie studios Notes References Bret, David (2017). "Casey Donovan: Blond Bombshell: Gay Porn's Pioneering Megastar". London, DbBooks. Grief, Martin (1982). The Gay Book of Days. New York, Carol Publishing Group. . Rutledge, Leigh (1992). The Gay Decades. New York, Penguin Books Ltd. . Rutledge, Leigh (1989). The Gay Fireside Companion. New York, Alyson Publications. . External