The Sword is saddened to share the news that veteran gay porn performer Tyler Roberts, who had a long and award-winning career in the industry starting in 2008, has passed away.
As we initially reported a few weeks ago, Roberts was fighting for his life in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Palm Springs, California. That news was originally shared via Twitter by his partner, Aaron Thomas, along with information on a GoFundMe campaign:
https://t.co/9BJrUhVnMr
My boyfriend @XXXTylerRoberts is fighting for his life in the ICU. Please donate and #retweet he’s got a long road ahead to recovery. ❤️— Aaron Thomas (Palm Springs) (@AaronThomasNYC) November 13, 2022
Aaron provided an encouraging follow-up on Tyler’s condition shortly afterward, but sadly gave another update on Twitter yesterday—sharing that Tyler has passed away:
I am so heartbroken to share that my love @XXXTylerRoberts passed away yesterday. His family and I are grieving as Eric left a huge space behind that can’t easily be fixed. Lead with love and tell everyone you can you love them as if it’s the last. I love you Bubba. Rest now. pic.twitter.com/DndnBq2D7n
— Aaron Thomas (Palm Springs) (@AaronThomasNYC) December 4, 2022
Aaron shared a longer message in the tweet to Tyler and their loved ones:
Roberts began his gay porn career in 2008 with a scene in Titan’s Home Invasion, then took a four-year break before returning and performing at all of the leading studios in the business, with most of his recent work at RawFuckClub. Roberts won a GayVN Award for Best Threeway in 2019 for his performance in NakedSword’s The Slutty Professor (with Ace Era and Dave Slick), and also earned a Best Duo Sex Scene nomination that year for his scene with Wesley Woods in Falcon’s Love & Lust in New Orleans. Roberts has been a mainstay in the awards—picking up another nod in the nominations announced last month for the 2023 GayVN Awards.
Industry veterans like JD Daniels and Falcon | NakedSword director Tony Dimarco were among those to offer their condolences online:
Brings me a sadden heart 💔 that porn legend and colleague @XXXTylerRoberts has passed away today. 😢. Such a kind and sweet man who will be truly missed agmost friends and in the industry. May you RIP my friend. @LuxxxeStudiosPR @1PacoFL @JRLCHARTS @XBIZ @GayVN pic.twitter.com/6xxddLQPfA
— JDDaniels3X ✈️Visiting Seattle, WA 11/30-12/4 (@JDDaniels3X) December 4, 2022
I agree @MrDimarco 👍 💯❤️. He always was upbeat and had like you said a megawatt personality as he was quite a character. It’s a sad day indeed, but at least we can all celebrate his life, and cherish the memories of his time with us on earth, and the fun and joy he left behind.
— JDDaniels3X ✈️Visiting Seattle, WA 11/30-12/4 (@JDDaniels3X) December 4, 2022
Our heart breaks for Aaron and all of Tyler’s loved ones.
why is everyone saying its drugs, That has not been proven. I knew Tyler through a friend for a few months and he ws the sweetest teddy bear like creature you could ever wish to meet. Rest in Peace beautiful
He played with fire and he got burned, zero fucks. Sorry, not sorry
If you had zero fucks you would have kept your mouth shut …
He played a stupid game and he won a stupid prize. Another druggie, another death, yawn. Thinning of the heard
Ok, Blake/Jackson. We got it the first time. So we all chipped in and got you a prize
Your comment shows an appalling lack of empathy, understanding, and actual knowledge .
He was a kind man. He was very nice to his fans and fellow collaborators. He wasn’t one of these constant problematic guys in the industry. He was known to be a gentle giant. I had the privilege to talk with him a few times and he was personable and polite. I’m happy he was with his loved ones when he passed and that he didn’t take his last breath alone.
Now you know I’m the first one to have some opinions about these porn guys on this blog but when it comes to death I feel sorry for any of these guys including the ones I don’t like.
I don’t care if it was heart failure from hardcore drugs, steroids or over usage, this is a human being whose life ended way too soon. We should be respectful of the fact that his family, fans and friends are mourning. After all if the roles were reversed, a lot of these opinions and hate would be silenced and they would want sympathy not critiques.
RIP Tyler/Eric
Respect
You do drugs, you die, plain and simple. There is no one to blame except himself
If what you say is true….then presumably you’d be about the last person on earth. Presuming you’ve never done any drug in you’re life. You’re self righteous comment is pathetic.
If what you say is true….then presumably you’d be about the last person on earth. Presuming you’ve never done any drug in you’re life. You’re self righteous comment is pathetic.
Shame we haven’t heard from folks like frequent collaborator Owen Hawk (RFC) about the passing. Sad to see another young gay porn guy die. I’m guessing drugs was part of the issue. I wish people were upfront about the cause, maybe younger stars would learn before it happens to them. RIP beautiful man!
Yes, it is always sad to see someone so young die. However, we need to be honest with contributing factors such a drug use. As a community people try to sweep it under the rug and just focus on the beauty of the one that passed. We need to stand up and let people know drugs kill. You can’t have a life of just sex, drugs, etc. and not expect negative outcomes. I love porn and am thankful for the guys that perform, however, how many do we need to have die before people learn from those gone in their prime?
While I agree we need to address the elephant in the room, there is a time and a place. The ghouls on Twitter jumped right in with drug accusations and the “we shouldn’t be surprised”, “all porn stars die this way” and “that’s what he gets for…” Even going after Aaron. Outreach & education without judgment is the key. How to do that without people feeling judged is the hardest part, because they will tune you out
We will never forget u :((
Please be careful if you do any drugs in palm springs, it seems everything is laced with fentanyl out here. Dude was probably doing his normal hit but the fenty took him out
Someone said it was drug related and was not a shock to anyone
Aaron says he was too hard on his body, regardless he deserves a respectful send-off
What did he die from