Gold Dust Orphan Joey Pelletier Throws His Wicked Boston Accent Around on JustFor.Fans

Joey Pelletier has been a fixture on the Boston fringe theater scene for nearly two decades. Five years ago, the twice IRNE Award-nominated actor took some time off to get sober and make some changes in his life. He had supported himself and his art in a number of ways ranging from waiting tables to working as an escort. On his hiatus from acting he began creating adult content and has had some success.

For the third consecutive year, Joey will be back on the Boston stage performing in the Gold Dust Orphans' annual, wildly popular Christmas show. This year's production, "Rosemary's Baby Jesus" is, according to Pelletier, "the story of Mrs. Grinchley, the Grinch's widow who owns an apartment building called the House of the Seven Gay Boys. The show's heroine, Rosemary Shithouse and her husband Guy, are looking to rent an apartment from Mrs. Grinchley."

Recently EDGE had a chance to chat with Joey about his work as an actor and an adult content creator. He even suggested that JustFor.Fans might be a good side gig for other actors as it's not limited to adult content.

EDGE: You've been an actor in Boston for a long time.

Joey Pelletier: I was an actor for many years in the Boston theater scene. When I got sober, I quit because I realized how resentful I was doing it and how much time and energy it takes to be an actor any place, especially Boston. I hadn't done any acting for a couple years when my good friend Kiki Samko, who is the director for Ryan Landry's Gold Dust Orphans, asked me if I wanted a part in an upcoming show. I love the Gold Dust Orphans. I love their work. But I just didn't want to get back into acting. Three years ago she reached out again and said, "I've got a great part for you. You'll be wearing a jock strap." I said, "Count me in." This year is my third production, their Christmas musical "Rosemary's Baby Jesus."

EDGE: Is it hard being an actor in Boston?

Joey Pelletier: There are fewer paying roles. I love Boston and I love the theater scene and all the people I've worked with over the years. I've tried my hand at producing and directing too and you end up putting in so much time for so little money. Letting go of the theater scene full-time enabled me to invest in my relationships, other facets of myself, family, traveling and getting sober.

EDGE: How did you end up creating adult content?

Joey Pelletier: When I was doing theater I would always take on a lot of the naked male identifying parts in Boston. And it was freeing. It was such a trip for my ego and I loved the shock value. I was also doing escorting on the side, so I was a part-time hooker trying to make ends meet. I got sober and I guess it allowed me to start thinking about all the things I was afraid of and to become a stronger person. I had been thinking about doing porn and was inspired by people in and around Boston, New York and Fort Lauderdale to do it. I started a Twitter account and told myself if I reached 10k in followers I would try my hand at porn. When I got there I did JustFor.Fans and that's how it began.