Karen Dior

Karen Dior (February 14, 1967 – August 25, 2004) is a stage name of Geoffrey Gann, also known as Geoffrey Karen Dior. Gann used this name when he performed in drag as Karen Dior. He performed both in and out of drag as a pornographic and mainstream performer, film director, singer and writer. He also had a drag persona that he cultivated to appear completely androgynous, or equal parts male and female, which image appeared on the cover of his Sex CD. Gann was bisexual, and though he enjoyed performing in drag, identified as male, and not transsexual or transgender. Because he was so convincing in drag, many people assumed that he must be transgender.

Karen Dior
Born
Geoffrey Gann

(1967-02-14)February 14, 1967
Missouri, U.S.
DiedAugust 25, 2004(2004-08-25) (aged 37)
Los Angeles, California
Other namesGeoffrey Karen Dior, Geoffrey Gann, Geoff Gann, Ricky Van, Rick Van
OccupationActress, singer, director, activist, writer

Life and career

Karen Dior was born Geoffrey Gann in Missouri; He was adopted as an infant into a Southern Baptist family, and was raised in that religious tradition. Gann moved to Los Angeles at the age of 21 and began working in a beauty salon and performing in drag shows in West Hollywood bars. In 1989, he began appearing in bisexual and transgender adult films.[1] He performed in approximately 120 adult films, most of them under the Dior name. He also performed under the names Geoff Dior, Rick Van, Geoffrey Karen Dior, Geoffrey Gann, and Geoff Gann.

In the 1990s, Dior moved into mainstream film and television roles, including a performance as Loni Anderson's stalker in the 1992 TV movie The Price She Paid. Other work included guest appearances on the television series Xena: Warrior Princess, Head Over Heels, and Veronica's Closet.

Later years and death

Dior contracted HIV in 1995 and later worked as an AIDS activist.[1][2] After leaving the adult film industry, Dior wrote and released Sleeping Under the Stars, his first autobiographical work, in 2001. The same year, he released an album (under the name Geoffrey Karen Dior) titled S E X, and he was a member of two bands, the Johnny Depp Clones and Goddess.[3] He also received a PhD in philosophy in religion and became an ordained minister.[2]

On August 25, 2004, Dior died of hepatitis.

Selected filmography

Actor

Director
  • I Dream Of Queenie (1997) "Produced and Directed"
  • Genderella (1998)
  • Playing the Odds (1998)
  • Getting Personal (1999)
  • Bi Athletes (2000)
  • Bi-Dazzled (2001)
  • Leather Temptation (2002)
  • Bi-Sluts (2001) "2001 AVN Bisexual Nominated Adult Film"

Bibliography
  • Sleeping Under the Stars (2001) ISBN 0-9706956-0-8
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References
  1. Ebner, Mark; Cheevers, Jack (March 23, 2006). "The Bagman". Hollywoodinterrupted.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  2. Kay, Kerwin; Nagle, Jill; Gould, Baruch (2000). Male Lust : Pleasure, Power, and Transformation. Routledge. pp. 343. ISBN 1-56023-981-6.
  3. Corliss, Richard (January 19, 2005). "The Long Goodbye II". Time. Archived from the original on February 21, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0751488/fullcredits
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