Sean Michaels (actor)

Sean Michaels (born February 20, 1958) is an American pornographic actor, model, director and former trade union leader. In 2002, AVN ranked him 14th on their list of The Top 50 Porn Stars of All Time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Michaels has won several prominent adult industry awards, including the NightMoves Award for Best Actor. He has also been inducted into the AVN, NightMoves, Urban X, and XRCO Halls of Fame.

Early life

Michaels was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.<ref name="Autobiography"/> He attended Boys and Girls High School, the oldest public high school in Brooklyn.<ref name="Autobiography">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=UltimateGuide>Template:Cite book</ref> After moving to the West Coast, he worked as a nurse for an urgent care facility in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.Template:Citation needed He also did runway and print modeling prior to entering the porn industry.

Career

Michaels started out working in the adult entertainment industry as a model for skin magazines. Dissatisfied with the portrayal of black men in pornography, which he saw as "very demeaning and stereotypical", Michaels began performing in adult films in 1989. Michaels chose his stage name by combining the first names of two male celebrities he admired: Sean Connery, whom he described as a "man's man, on and off camera", and Michael Jordan.Template:Cn

Michaels gained recognition in the industry after appearing in his mentor John Leslie's 1990 film Oh What A Night.<ref name="SeanO">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Micheals received the XBIZ Award for Woodsman of the Year in 1994. The following year, he was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame.<ref name="AVNHOF"/> In 1996, he started his own film studio, Sean Michaels Productions, which was later changed to Sean Michaels International the following year when Anabolic Video began handling its distribution.

Along with Lisa Ann and Nikki Benz, Michaels hosted the XRCO Awards in April 2010.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2018, he performed in his first bisexual scene for Kick Ass Pictures.<ref name="BiScene"/> In regards to the scene, Michaels commented, "I feel strongly about doing the things you want to do in life. Cuckold fans have been asking me for years to do bi scenes, and I'm happy to be making this move. I believe it's important for people to grow sexually in any way they choose."<ref name="BiScene"/>

Legal dispute

In 2003, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) issued Michaels a cease and desist letter, asking him to stop using his name due to the similarity it had to wrestler Shawn Michaels.<ref name="SeanShawn">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Sean Michaels' name was already registered as a trademark, while Shawn Michaels had not registered his moniker.<ref>Steve Nelson. "Sean Michaels Sues Sean Michaels". Adult Industry News, January 23, 2003. Accessed 8 September 2008.</ref> Michaels later announced he planned to countersue the WWE.<ref name="SeanShawn"/> As of April 1, 2011, the trademark of "Sean Michaels" is no longer active.Template:Cn

Advocacy and impact

In 2016, Michaels was elected President of the Adult Performance Artists Guild, then the Adult Performers Actors Guild (APAG).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=DB>Template:Cite news</ref> As President, he announced the APAG would push to raise the legal age to perform in adult films from 18 to 21, commenting that "it's 21 years old to drink, so you should have to be 21 to do porn."<ref name=DB/> Amidst criticism from APAG members who saw him as reducing his union participation,<ref name="TheHill"/> Michaels officially resigned from his role.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was replaced in the role by actress Alana Evans, who had served as vice president under him. Evans revealed that Michaels was being "blackballed" in the pornographic industry due to his guild participation.<ref name="TheHill">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In the May 1997 issue of Vibe, he was labeled "the preeminent force in interracial erotic entertainment."<ref name="VibeMay1997">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In her book A Taste for Brown Sugar: Black Women in Pornography, women's studies scholar Mireille Miller-Young notes how Michaels' portrayal of "suave and professional" characters in his films has challenged the stereotyping of black men as "sexual beasts" in pornography and expanded opportunities for black performers.<ref name=BrownSugar>Template:Cite book</ref> Violet Blue shares a similar sentiment in The Ultimate Guide to Adult Videos, calling Michaels a "major force in changing the face and attitudes of the adult industry towards black performers."<ref name=UltimateGuide/> Blue concluded by dubbing him "the most famous black man to ever appear in porn."<ref name=UltimateGuide/>

Select appearances

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Abbr
1990	Oh, What a Night!	Richard Parker	Breakthrough role	<ref name="SeanO"/>
2004	Thinking XXX	Himself	Documentary	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2012	Dave's Old Porn		Episode: "Retro Orgy Night"	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2018	Black Bi Cuckolding		First performance in bisexual pornography	<ref name="BiScene">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Hot For Transsexuals 6		First appearance in transgender pornography	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2022	Sex Before the Internet		Episode: "Porn Awards"	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Awards and nominations

File:Sean Michaels at Erotica LA 2005.jpg

Michaels in 2005

AVN Awards

Year	Nominated work and artist	Category	Result	Template:Abbr
1991	Nasty Girls	Best Video Group Sex Scene	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
1994	Anus and Andy	Best Sex Scene, Video (Group)	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
	Sean Michaels	Male Performer of the Year	Template:Nom
1995	In the Bush	Best Actor—Video	Template:Nom	<ref name="AVN-mag">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
	Sean Michaels	Hall of Fame	Template:Won	<ref name="AVNHOF">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Male Performer of the Year	Template:Nom	<ref name="AVN-mag"/>
1996	Visions	Best Couples Sex Scene—Video	Template:Nom	<ref name="1996Noms">Template:Cite AV media</ref>
	World Sex Tour, Vol. 1	Best Group Sex Scene—Video	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	The Passion	Most Outrageous Sex Scene	Template:Nom	<ref name="1996Noms"/>
1997	Sean Michaels	Male Performer of the Year	Template:Nom
1998	Butt Banged Naughty Nurses	Best Anal Sex Scene—Video	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Dinner Party 2	Best Couples Sex Scene—Film	Template:Nom	<ref name="1998Noms">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
	Face Jam	Best Supporting Actor—Video	Template:Nom
	Sean Michaels	Male Performer of the Year	Template:Nom
1999	Sean Michaels' Up Your Ass 7	Best Anal Sex Scene—Video	Template:Nom	<ref name="1999Noms">Template:Cite journal</ref>
	Tushy Heaven		Template:Won	<ref name="AVN99">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Fresh Meat 5	Best Group Sex Scene—Video	Template:Nom	<ref name="1999Noms"/>
	Tushy Heaven		Template:Won	<ref name="AVN99"/>
	Sean Michaels	Male Performer of the Year	Template:Nom	<ref name="1999Noms"/>
2000	We Go Deep	Best Couples Sex Scene—Video	Template:Nom	<ref name="2000Noms">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Sean Michaels	Male Performer of the Year	Template:Nom
2006	Sean Michaels	Male Performer of the Year	Template:Nom	<ref name="2006Noms">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2007	Fuck	Best Anal Sex Scene – Film	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Elastic Assholes 4	Best Anal Sex Scene – Video	Template:Nom
	Fuck	Best Group Sex Scene – Film	Template:Nom
	Janine's Been Blackmaled		Template:Nom
	Racial Tension	Best Sex Scene Coupling – Video	Template:Nom
2008	Orgy World: The Next Level 11	Best Group Sex Scene – Video	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2009	Succubus of the Rouge	Best Supporting Actor	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2010	Semen Sippers 7	Best Threeway Sex Scene	Template:Nom	<ref name="AVN2010">Template:Cite news</ref>
	Bobbi Starr & Dana DeArmond's Insatiable Voyage	Best Double Penetration Sex Scene	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	LA Pink: A XXX Porn Parody	Best Actor	Template:Nom	<ref name="AVN2010"/>
		Best Double Penetration Sex Scene	Template:Nom
	Sean Michaels	Male Performer of the Year	Template:Nom
2011	Interracial Fuck Sluts	Best Three-Way Sex Scene (B/B/G)	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2012	Orgy: The XXX Championship	Best Group Sex Scene	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2013	School of Black Cock	Best Double Penetration Sex Scene	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Elastic Assholes 10	Best Three-Way Sex Scene (B/B/G)	Template:Nom
2014	Double Black Penetration	Best Double Penetration Sex Scene	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2016	True Lust	Best Three-Way Sex Scene - (B/B/G)	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Adriana's a Slut	Best Group Sex Scene	Template:Nom
2017	This Ain't American Horror Story XXX	Best Supporting Actor	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	The Booty Queen 2	Best Double Penetration Sex Scene	Template:Nom
2018	Anal Warriors 3	Best Anal Sex Scene	Template:Nom
2020	Hot for Transexuals 9	Best Transgender Group Sex Scene	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

F.O.X.E. Awards

Year	Nominated work and artist	Category	Result	Template:Abbr
1996	Sean Michaels	Male Fan Favorite	Template:Won	<ref name=CanBest>"Adult Video Awards - The FANS OF X-RATED ENTERTAINMENT", Retrieved 19 April 2007, Archived at: Template:Webarchive</ref>
1997			Template:Won
1998			Template:Won

NightMoves Awards

Year	Nominated work and artist	Category	Result	Template:Abbr
2002	Sean Michaels	Best Actor (Fan's Choice)	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2003		Best Director (Fan's Choice)	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2007		NightMoves Hall of Fame	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Transgender Erotica Awards

Year	Nominated work and artist	Category	Result	Template:Abbr
2020	Sean Michaels	Best Non-TS Male Performer	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2021			Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Urban X Awards

Year	Nominated work and artist	Category	Result	Template:Abbr
2008	Sean Michaels	Best Male Performer	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Urban X Hall of Fame	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2011	Cougar on the Prowl	Best 3 Way Sex Scene	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2012	Anal Buffet 7	Best 3-Way Sex Scene	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Best Anal Sex Scene	Template:Nom
	Black Diamonds	Best Couples Sex Scene	Template:Nom
	Daddy Knows Best		Template:Nom

XBIZ Awards

Year	Nominated work and artist	Category	Result	Template:Abbr
2010	L.A. Pink	Acting Performance of the Year — Male	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Sean Michaels	Male Performer of the Year	Template:Nom
2014	Diesel Dongs 28	Best Scene — Non-Feature Release	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2017	This Ain't American Horror Story XXX	Best Supporting Actor	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2018	Anal Warriors 3	Best Sex Scene — Gonzo Release	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Sun-Lit	Best Sex Scene — Vignette Release	Template:Nom
2019	Carnal	Best Sex Scene — All-Sex Release	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2021	The TransAngels Motorcycle Club	Best Sex Scene — Trans	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

XRCO Awards

Year	Nominated work and artist	Category	Result	Template:Abbr
1994	Arabian Nights	Best Anal Sex Scene	Template:Won
	Slave to Love	Group Sex Scene	Template:Won
	Sean Michaels	Woodsman of the Year	Template:Won
1999	Tushy Heaven	Best Anal or D.P. Scene	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2000	Sean Michaels	Male Performer of the Year	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		XRCO Hall of Fame	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

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