Lionel Royce

Acting Appreciation

I recently came across a compelling article by Tomas Weber in the November 2024 issue of Smithsonian Magazine titled "The Role of His Life," which details the remarkable and tragic journey of Austrian-American actor Lionel Royce, born Leon Moriz Reiss. 

The story of Royce, a Jewish actor who survived the rise of Nazi Germany by assuming the identity of an Aryan Alpine farmer, is one of resilience, deception, and survival through performance. Weber’s account provides a fascinating look at how Royce leveraged his acting skills not just for his career, but for his very survival.

Born on March 30, 1891, in Galicia—now part of western Ukraine—Reiss grew up in Vienna and found early success in the German and Austrian theater scene. Under the stage name Leo Reuss, he became a well-regarded actor, sharing stages with the likes of Bertolt Brecht and mingling with leftist intellectuals. 

His talent and charisma also led to a relationship with celebrated German actress Agnes Straub. However, the Nazi rise to power in 1933 marked the beginning of a harrowing period for Jewish artists like Reuss. Antisemitic policies forced him out of German theaters, and by 1935, after a humiliating incident in Stettin (now Szczecin, Poland), he found himself blacklisted from performing.

Facing a future lack of opportunity in Austria as the antisemitic laws took effect, Reuss devised a daring plan to conceal his Jewish identity. He transformed himself into "Kaspar Brandhofer," a simple Alpine farmer, going as far as bleaching his hair and adopting the dialect and mannerisms of an uneducated rural man. 

With forged identity papers from a real farmer named Kaspar Altenberger, he auditioned for Vienna’s prestigious Josefstadt Theater, securing a role that won critical acclaim. Even after his true identity was revealed, many saw his deception as an artistic and political act, highlighting the absurdity of Nazi racial ideology. However, exposure meant danger, and by 1937, he was forced to flee.

Royce made his way to Hollywood, where he reinvented himself once again—this time as a film actor. MGM offered him a contract, and he soon became known for playing Nazi officers in anti-Nazi propaganda films. 

Over the course of his career in America, he appeared in more than 40 films, using his craft to contribute to the war effort against the very regime that had sought to destroy him. However, tragedy followed him; his first wife, Stefanie, was murdered in Auschwitz, and his longtime companion, Agnes Straub, died in a car accident in Berlin. 

Despite his success in Hollywood, much of his personal history was lost in translation, and his Jewish heritage was largely omitted from the public record.

In 1946, Royce passed away while entertaining U.S. troops in the Philippines, a final act of service that reflected his lifelong dedication to performance. His obituaries largely ignored his Jewish background and the extraordinary deception that had enabled his survival. 

Austrian National Library

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-nazis-seized-power-this-jewish-actor-took-on-role-life-180985228/

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0747309/

Cosplay is an Art: Pensacon 2025!

via Mason Studios 

Isiah Maxwell

Acting Appreciation

One of my favorite things to listen to while stuck in Austin traffic is Inside OnlyFans. In a recent episode, hosts Kayla and CJ Sparxx sat down with adult performer Isiah Maxwell. He shared his journey and philosophy regarding intimacy and respect in relationships. 

Born on March 28, 1989, Isiah Maxwell's journey into adult entertainment is as unconventional as it is compelling. Before entering the industry, Maxwell was pursuing a degree in journalism and secured an internship in adult media simply because it was the first to respond to a list of opportunities provided by his professor. His curiosity and work ethic led him to accept the internship, and he quickly proved himself capable in professional settings -- working behind the scenes, fetching extension cords for a vibrator being used in a scene, and observing the business. At the time, he was also working full-time at Burger King, finding humor in the contrasts between his two jobs. He navigated early challenges by respecting boundaries, staying focused on graduation, and being the first male in his family to earn a college degree. 

His transformation from intern to on-camera adult performer was gradual and thoughtful. Initially, he abided by a strict no-fraternization policy—until female performers began questioning his sexual preference. After learning that other male staff had no such restrictions, Maxwell shifted his mindset and began socializing more openly. 

His breakthrough came when multiple female adult performers, impressed not only by the size of his penis but also his demeanor, encouraged him to perform. Rather than rush in, Maxwell spent a year researching the business, interviewing other male talents, and defining his own personal boundaries. This careful preparation helped him avoid the psychological and moral pitfalls that derail many in the industry.

One of Maxwell’s standout qualities is his deliberate, emotionally intelligent approach to intimacy. He advises men to stop focusing on power and instead listen to women’s needs—verbally and through body language. He stresses the value of subtle touches, caressing, and attentiveness during foreplay, arguing that real intimacy begins long before penetration. 

Unlike the aggressive, performative sex often portrayed in mainstream porn, Maxwell champions a more intuitive and respectful style that centers the woman's experience. His emphasis on communication, physical sensitivity, and mutual pleasure stands in sharp contrast to the “power-driven” narratives many men absorb. Additionally, he stressed that while size does matter, technique trumps measurement. 

Maxwell also speaks openly about the racial stereotypes Black male performers face, particularly being typecast in “interracial” roles that fetishize their bodies while limiting broader opportunities. He challenges these industry norms and chooses to work with studios that don’t lean into those tropes. 

Despite his success, he remains grounded, acknowledging the mental toll the industry can take, especially on younger men. His advice—know yourself, define your limits, and prioritize long-term mental and emotional well-being—is both a guide for aspiring performers and a larger commentary on healthy masculinity in a hyper-sexualized world.

I found Isiah Maxwell’s interview on Inside OnlyFans both entertaining and insightful. I’ve followed his work for some time, but hearing him speak so openly and thoughtfully only deepened my respect for him as a performer.

You can listen to the interview HERE.

TMDB

@morbidthoughts

with Octavia Red (@isiah_maxwell)

Sources:

https://www.instagram.com/insideonlyfans

https://www.patreon.com/InsideOnlyFans

https://youtu.be/s3_rc8Yy8Gs

https://www.instagram.com/isiah_maxwell/

https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1364651-isiah-maxwell

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-onlyfans/id1588292413?i=1000699780052

Zoe Parker

Acting Appreciation

Born in Mansfield, Texas on March 27, 1996, Zoe Parker was a rising star in the adult film industry. She was known for her her amazing smile, natural beauty, bubbly personality, and as a talented performer. 

A gifted athlete, playing competitive softball and basketball, the 5'9" Zoe decided to enter the adult film industry at the age of 18 in 2014. She quickly gained a following and worked for several studios during her career appearing in more than 120 scenes.

Unfortunately, Zoe's life was cut short. She passed away on September 12, 2020 at the young age of 24. Her death was unexpected and shocked the industry and fans. Fellow porn star Mia Malkova tweeted, "RIP sweet girl, you will be missed."

Sources:

heavy.com/entertainment/2020/09/zoe-parker-dead/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8731689/Ex-porn-star-Zoe-Parker-dies-sleep-age-24-just-months-leaving-industry.html

https://popculture.com/trending/news/former-adult-film-star-zoe-parker-reportedly-dead-24/

https://www.babepedia.com/

https://www.erocurves.com/

https://babesrater.com/

Who Dis?

Pardon the Interruption

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump frequently attacked Hillary Clinton over her use of a private, unsecured email server while serving as Secretary of State. He claimed it risked exposing classified information and violated federal record-keeping laws. The controversy became a central theme, amplified by conservative media and politicians. Although the FBI ultimately declined to recommend charges, then-Director James Comey reignited the issue by announcing a reopening of the investigation just days before the election—an action many believe helped tilt the outcome in Trump’s favor.

The matter never truly went away. Calls from conservatives to prosecute Clinton continued, with some accusing her of violating the Espionage Act. The narrative resurfaced during the 2024 election, alongside renewed focus on Hunter Biden’s laptop, as part of a broader push to re-elect Trump. 

Then, on March 24, 2025, a new breach stunned the public: Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed he was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat in which senior Trump administration officials discussed military strikes on Yemen. Among those in the chat were Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and Vice President J.D. Vance, all openly sharing sensitive operational details.

The use of Signal, an unapproved platform for classified communication, raised serious legal and national security concerns—especially with a journalist unknowingly receiving real-time war plans. Experts have said this could constitute a violation of the Espionage Act and federal records laws. Yet rather than acknowledge the severity, the Trump administration and its allies quickly shifted into spin mode. Conservative media, politicians, and those involved downplayed the breach, praised the officials involved, and launched attacks on Goldberg and Democrats, sticking to a familiar strategy: deny, deflect, and blame others.

Given the climate and the administration's hostility toward the press, it's possible this won't end with discrediting Goldberg. Legal retaliation against The Atlantic seems conceivable. It sounds extreme, but if Trump has demonstrated anything, it's his willingness to reinterpret the law for his own advantage—often at democracy’s expense.

Daniel Boris, March 24, 2025 (@danboriscreates)

Sojourner Truth

Subscribing to hardcover magazines in the digital era presents a challenge. Before the internet and social media, receiving a magazine in the mail was exciting—a moment to savor. Now, a magazine might be flipped through once and then set aside, waiting for a "later" that rarely comes.

Case in point: an issue of Smithsonian sat on my nightstand for a year before I finally found time to read it. When I did, one story stood out—Cynthia Greenlee's article, The Gospel of Truth (Smithsonian, March 2024). The piece explores the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth beyond the widely recognized phrase, “Ain’t I a Woman?”

Greenlee highlights Truth’s complex identity as an abolitionist, women’s rights advocate, preacher, and strategist who actively shaped her public image.

Born enslaved as Isabella Baumfree in New York in the late 1790s, Truth endured multiple sales, harsh treatment, and betrayal before walking away from enslavement with her infant daughter. She later made history by successfully suing for the return of her illegally sold son, Peter—one of the first legal victories of its kind by a Black woman in the U.S.

A deeply religious person, she changed her name to Sojourner Truth in 1843, dedicating her life to preaching and activism.

While her 1851 speech at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention cemented her legacy, Greenlee reveals how her words were later misrepresented. The famous refrain “Ain’t I a Woman?” does not appear in the earliest accounts. Instead, Truth’s actual speech likely centered on women's strength and biblical arguments against gender-based oppression.

Her activism extended far beyond that speech. She advocated for land grants for freedpeople, challenged segregation on Washington D.C.’s streetcars, and even met with President Lincoln. She also used photography strategically, selling portrait cards with the tagline, “I sell the shadow to support the substance.”

Greenlee’s article also explores modern efforts to honor Truth, from statues and memorials to an upcoming documentary. More than a historical figure, Sojourner Truth was a self-made icon who understood the power of shaping her own story—an inspiration that endures today.

Read the full article HERE.

Photo by Maddie McGarvey

Source:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/remarkable-untold-story-sojourner-truth-180983691/ 

Body Art: Dro Sol - WALKING IN BODYPAINT JEANS

Model: Shelby

via DOLSOLBODYART