Around the block, masses stand excitedly waiting for a glimpse of legend. Some might have thought that the president was making an appearance at Visions Cinema Bistro Lounge. That is, if conversation had not radiated through the air quipping about whether or not the special guest would whip out his “money-maker.”
No, this was not an appearance by your average celebrity; this was a spectacle. One that could only be categorized as bizarre.

Ron Jeremy, a man as infamous as the videos he has starred in, was doing what he loved doing most – getting publicity. His D.C. appearance was made in order to publicize Pornstar: The Legend of Ron Jeremy, an independent documentary about the legend himself, both on and off the screen.

The film, humorous and at times raunchy, is hard to label. Surprisingly enough, it was also somewhat enlightening and sad, telling the story of what the guy behind the penis is all about.

Chatting with Jeremy, topics ranged from how to have a better orgasm to the emotions the star feels for the L.A. scene in which he is immersed. What few people realize about Jeremy is that although he is perhaps one of history’s most infamous porn stars, he is actually a pretty nice guy with a master’s degree in special education.

The most pressing issue, or the one of greatest interest, is the process by which a man who has a bad hair cut, hairy back and two chins managed to become America’s top porn star.

As Jeremy puts it, “There’s a lot more identification with a guy like me on screen. I add an element of humor to the whole scene, and when you think about it, a guy sitting home watching porn might prefer to see a guy like me get the girl than the high school football hero.”

There’s more to it than that, though. Jeremy feels his performances offer a confidence boost for viewers.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that after someone is done seeing me get the lady, a guy is going to feel a lot better about himself, because, come on, chances are he’s more attractive than me,” Jeremy said, “and yet there I was with this beautiful woman.”

In the middle of speaking, true madness was ensuing around Jeremy. Couples approached Jeremy as if he was some sort of long lost (dirty) uncle. Hugs, kisses and lines like “oh my God, thank you” seemed to be scripted with every fan approaching him. The man is a true-blue celebrity, to say the least.

As the conversation turned to the intellectualization of the porn industry, Jeremy laid out a plethora of information to curious fans with even more curious questions. One shy student approached asking whether or not his … “member” was insured.

“What … my penis? Go ahead, you can say the word ‘penis’ in front of me,” Jeremy responded. “But insurance, no. I know it’s a rather popular thing for some of the headliners to do, you know, to insure their body part that makes the money. But, come on, what reason would I have to insure my penis? What, in case it falls off?”

Another fan launched a rather forward question regarding a rumor he heard from porn star Peter North about how to “blow a bigger load.” This seemed to hit an almost sour note.

“Peter North is full of shit,” Jeremy replied. “In the industry we call Peter North ‘the decorator.’ And it’s not because he eats a lot of egg whites and protein that he’s gained that reputation, it’s a matter of inborn metabolism. You want to know how to pop big, then the real trick is to just hold back every time you feel you’re going to reach orgasm. Hold back, stop, go back to foreplay, get something to eat or something, then go back at it. Do this a couple of times, and you’ll pop across the room.”

With more private greetings from his fans pouring through the door, things took a turn to the bizarre as boyfriends began asking if Jeremy could kiss their girlfriends and sign their breasts, among more kinky requests. No doubt about it, the fans love this man on a deep level.

While Jeremy may be considered a huge celebrity by his fans, he wishes to be a big-screen actor. He seems to long for success.

“No one in Hollywood ever truly feels successful,” he said. “It just makes you keep wanting more.”

On top of this desire for greater fame, Jeremy continued in a somewhat humble fashion describing his own sexual experience.

“I think it would be a joke for anyone to say he or she has mastered sex,” Jeremy said. “No one has ever really mastered sex; every experience is honestly a lesson learned. What I’m involved in is a process.”

At the end of the night, fans and Jeremy alike seemed to leave satisfied. Film, drinks, porn stars and great sex advice: a true public spectacle. And with that, Jeremy made his infamous mark on Dupont Circle, leaving a slew of devilishly grinning fans and kinky photographs in his wake.