How cool is it that YNOT gets to kick it with legendary hall of fame porn star Richard Pacheco and then report back to you what we talked about?

Pretty cool.

After all, Pacheco has had a helluva career filled with authenticity, heart, and a lot of humor.

Pacheco who also goes by “Howie Gordon aka The Ghost of Richard Pacheco” (how wonderfully eccentric is that?) starred in over 100 films and was the 1979 Playgirl Man of the Year. During the 70s and 80s he went by the name of “Howie Gordon” but after the grand slam hit – Talk Dirty to Me – made him a star, “Richard Pacheco” was unleashed. Born into an Orthodox Jewish family he was an unlikely candidate for adult stardom… but he laughed in the face of tradition and made his mark on the industry all while learning some lessons along the way.

At 75, Pacheco, now retired, looks back on his career with fondness and gratitude and loves to weave a good story. A published author who has written two books that I’m sure you’ll want to pick up after perusing this piece to learn more about him (listed at the end of the article), Pacheco also starred in a theater show with his son about his life in the industry called Debbie Does My Dad… and Dad. He obviously has a great sense of humor about this wild journey he’s taken in adult – so I think you’ll really enjoy this interview.

So, without further ado, it’s time to unleash the giant presence that is our pal Howie Gordon…

… aka The Ghost of Richard Pacheco.

Photo by Vincent Fronczek

What was the most challenging part of raising a family as an extremely successful adult performer?

THE MOST CHALLENGING PART WAS NOT LETTING MY DICK DESTROY MY MARRIAGE.

…and how did you overcome the obstacles?

One at a time.

For instance…

Well before I got into the business, my wife and I were big on free love. Monogamy was out. It was so yesterday. We believed in sexual freedom… with whoever and whenever you want. After we had become a couple, my wife moved into the commune in Berkeley where I invited her to share my room. It had a big sliding door.

One day, I slid that door open and was greeted with seeing my love in the arms of a tall handsome gentleman with his hand down the front of her pants.

OOOOPS! I did not want to be seeing that! I quickly slid the door closed and went looking for a safe place to be alone. There wasn’t any. That was my room. I had nowhere else I could be by myself to cope with the crazy jealousy that had come upon me.

That and several other moments like that soon led to us making a rule that we would not have any other lovers in the home that we were living in unless we were doing that together. That turned out to be a good rule.

One obstacle at a time!

Photo by Robert Altman

Tell us about performing in the show with your son – Debbie Does My Dad… and Dad – and what you learned from each other while creating it.

We joined together for a performance at The Center for Sex & Culture in San Francisco. He did his show in Act One and then I came out and did Act Two all about being in porn and having a family, from my wife and kids to my parents and in-laws. 

I can’t speak for him, of course, but I learned something about the magic of making children. I saw a lot that I thought of as “me” in my son, but I also saw a lot that was definitely NOT ME! It was his mother in him… and I was so glad he had it.

The combination was astounding!

Howie with his son Bobby – Photo by Carly Pacheco

What was the response to the show like? 

I believe it was a magical night for the performers and the audience. You count your blessings.

Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of and thankful for?

That I did a good body of work. That my marriage has lasted 50 years and is still going strong. And that my children are all thriving. 

What do you think was the secret to your success – what made you stick out among so many other performers?

I tried to bring my heart to work with me.

Howie pictured with another legend – John Holmes – Photo Courtesy of Pacheco Archive

Howie pictured with yet another legend, Marilyn Chambers – Photo Courtesy of Pacheco Archive

Follow Richard Pacheco/Howie Gordon on his Facebook @Howie.Gordon.7 and to order an autographed copy of his book Hindsight True Love & Mischief in the Golden Age of Porn head to his website at hindsightbook.com, and/or order the audio book version at howiegordon.bandcamp.com. In addition, follow his book on Facebook as well @HindsightRichardPacheco.

For an autographed copy of Return to Squirrel Hill: A Memoir: Growing up Howie, go to ReturnToSquirrelHill.com, the audio book can also be found on his Bandcamp, and to stream it for free go to YouTube or Spotify and just type in the search bar: Howie Gordon Return to Squirrel Hill.

In addition you can order/check out his rap song… The Lioness and the Rabbit on Bandcamp HERE.

Main Feature Photo Credit: Robert Altman