Robert Kerman

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Robert Kerman
Born (1947-12-16) December 16, 1947 (age 76)
Brooklyn, New York
Occupation Actor

Robert Charles Kerman (born December 16, 1947), also known as R. Bolla, is an American actor. He grew up in a middle-class Italian neighborhood of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.[1] As R. Bolla, he appeared in well over 100 pornographic films, most famously Debbie Does Dallas (1978).[1] He is one of the few adult performers to have an appreciable mainstream acting career.

Adult film career

Kerman's on-screen sex appearances began with director Roberta Findlay's Anyone But My Husband.[1] He became one of the most prolific male stars of the Golden Age of Porn. Unlike many of his adult-industry peers, Kerman bitterly regrets his participation in the adult film industry, especially being in the film Debbie Does Dallas, which he feels ruined any prospect of him attaining mainstream acting success. He stated: "In retrospect I'm really sorry that I did it, because I probably ruined the best years of my life as an actor."[2] He was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame in 1998.

Dual career

Although starting his paid career in adult films, Kerman was a trained actor who had been encouraged by teachers and fellow students' assessment of his potential. He tried to give a full performance at audition and was able to win minor parts in Hollywood productions such as The Concorde ... Airport '79. In the 1980s, he starred in several Italian horror films, including Ruggero Deodato's exploitation classic Cannibal Holocaust, and Umberto Lenzi's cannibal films Mangiati Vivi and Cannibal Ferox. He received critical acclaim for his role in the 1982 drama feature Mission Hill. Still, he remained active in pornography throughout the first half of the decade, with notable roles including Lawyer Quim in Liquid A$$ets (1982), and Fritz von Holenwohl in the Henri Pachard directed Public Affairs (1984).

Cannibal Holocaust

In the DVD commentary for Cannibal Holocaust (in interview with Sage Stallone and Bob Murawski), Kerman described film director Ruggero Deodato as "remorseless" and "uncaring". Incensed by the realisation during filming that an animal's death was not being faked, Kerman physically tackled the director and stormed off the set. He was not present when other animals, including a coatimundi, were killed.[3] Kerman was also guest of the 25th Anniversary in Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Yonkers, New York, who was on 28 February 2015 screened in 35mm.[4]

Mainstream actor

Buoyed by winning film parts, Kerman had always felt that he had the ability for a serious mainstream career, however by 1977, when he appeared in The Goodbye Girl, he was already recognizable to the extent that a star in the cast asked him if he was a performer in pornographic films. In 1985 he decided to try going completely mainstream and managed to obtain a Hollywood agent (essential for a lesser known actor). Things went well at first, as Kerman put it he was 'cooking'; he got supporting roles in television series such as Hill Street Blues and Simon & Simon and was invited to audition for a wide variety of parts. In 1987 he appeared in the major film No Way Out (1987)

According to Kerman, he had thought his former porn involvement was no longer an issue as he had been honest with his agent from the outset. However, just as his career seemed to be taking off, she announced she would no longer represent him. Unable to get work and feeling betrayed, he slid into years of depression and substance abuse.[1][2]

Present

In the 2000s Kerman could be seen as a sea captain in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, and as Dr. Monroe in the drama short Vic, directed by Sage Stallone. He makes personal appearances at horror conventions around the world, to speak about his experiences on Cannibal Holocaust.[citation needed]

Filmography (selection)

Awards

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 'R. Bolla: Adult Film's Method Actor', The Rialto Report, audio interview with Robert Kerman
  2. 2.0 2.1 Interview, Debbie Does Dallas Uncovered (2005 Channel 4 documentary). timestamp???
  3. “CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST” with Robert Kerman
  4. Event Report: “CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST” in 35mm at Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers with Robert Kerman Q&A
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  7. http://web.archive.org/web/20090415212412/http://www.avnawards.com/halloffame.php
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External links