Top 20 Under 40 Los Angeles- James Deen

With over 3000 films under his belt, James Deen joins us for Day 3 of our feature.

By: Ashley Baylen
Published: August 15th, 2012 in Culture » Society » Interviews

James Deen

In celebration of Shalom Life’s new Los Angeles office, we have decided to take our popular “Top 20 Under 40” series on the road.

Over the next 20 days, Shalom Life will showcase 20 individuals of diverse talents and backgrounds that have made a significant contribution to their field both locally and globally. From entrepreneurs to philanthropists, entertainers to chefs, this list places a spotlight on a small sampling of the spectacular, innovative, and passionate Jews that call Los Angeles home.

Top 20 Under 40- James Deen

Age: 26

Known for his “boy next door” good looks and skinny body type, James Deen was initially discouraged by industry peers to pursue porn… but this young Jewish boy had a dream, and nothing was going to stop him.

Deen was a true exhibitionist in high school, having sex in front of friends at various parties all over Los Angeles. As soon as he became legal, Deen began his pursuit to have sex with girls on camera.

Now, 8 years later, Deen has defied industry standards and won the hearts of men and women everywhere. With over 3000 films under his belt, respect from mainstream media, and having become the youngest male porn actor to win ‘Male Performer of the Year’ at the AVN, Xbiz, and XRCO awards, Deen is here to stay.

Deen is currently filming his first non-porn feature film, “The Canyons” alongside Lindsay Lohan, following a group of 20-somethings in Los Angeles who are wrapped up in youth, glamour, deceit, paranoia, and ultimately violence.

Of his first Hollywood film experience, Deen explains it’s “not that different. The majority of bigger budget feature style porn films are shot about the same way, they just have sex in them.”

Many porn stars have attempted to successfully make the switch from porn to mainstream, but few have succeeded. According to Deen, you just have to take it one day at a time. When asked where he sees his career in the future, he responds “four months ago I would have been able to answer that question. A lot has changed and I am curious to see where my career goes. Hopefully I will still be doing porn.”

Deen has destroyed any pre-conceived notion one may have of porn stars. The actor is very laid back, enjoys spending his spare time at home watching cartoons, and does not live a crazy lifestyle.

Although Deen considers himself “the luckiest boy alive” for his success within the porn industry, he ultimately wants to be remembered as “a nice guy”.

A nice Jewish guy to be precise.

“I identify with Judaism as a culture more than anything else. I don't know how to explain it, but whenever I find out someone is Jewish I always feel immediately connected to them.”

Click over to Page 2 to learn some fun facts about James Deen!

1 2 next »