Matt Gunther (actor)
Matt Gunther | |
|---|---|
| Born | Steven Matthew Lang May 28, 1963 Garden Grove, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 27, 1997 (aged 33) Huntington Beach, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Steve Lang |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1988–1995 |
| Agent | Falcon Studios |
Matt Gunther (born Steven Matthew Lang; May 28, 1963 – May 27, 1997) was an American pornographic actor who became a prominent star in gay adult cinema during the late 1980s and 1990s.[1] Of mixed Mexican heritage, he was noted for breaking into mainstream gay adult studios at a time when Latino performers were often limited to niche "B-list" labels.[2]
Early Life
Born in Garden Grove, California, Gunther was known in his personal life as Steve Lang.[3] He moved to West Hollywood in 1988 at age 25 to pursue a career in adult film.[1]
Career
Gunther debuted in 1989, notably appearing in To the Bone (1990).[1][4] He quickly rose to fame, working with the industry's most influential studios, including Falcon Studios, Vivid Video, and Catalina.[5] Throughout his career, he appeared in approximately thirty films.[6] Some of his most recognized performances include Powerful (1989), a sequel to Powertool starring Jeff Stryker, Abduction (1990), a BDSM production by Falcon, Idol Eyes (1990), featuring Ryan Idol, Buttbusters (1992), Straight to the Zone (1993).[7] He became a fixture of the West Hollywood scene and was recognized for his athleticism and screen presence.[8][9]
Beyond acting, Gunther was a frequent model for gay and adult magazines, recognized for his "boyish yet muscular" look.[10][11]
Personal life
In his final year, he became an advocate for AIDS awareness, serving as a presenter at the 1996 Probe Awards and participating in the West Hollywood Gay Pride parade on an AIDS hospice float.[1][12]
Death
Due to deteriorating health, he was reportedly cared for in an assisted-living facility funded by the state of California toward the end of his life.[1] He died of heart failure related to AIDS complications on May 27, 1997, in Huntington Beach, California, just one day before his 34th birthday.[1] Following his death, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.[1][13]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Powerful Sex, Stryker's Best | Matt | Debut |
| 1989 | Screwing Screw Ups | Matt | |
| 1990 | On the Rocks! | Lover Boy | [14] |
| 1990 | Stranded: Enemies and Lovers | Michael | |
| 1990 | Deep Inside Jon Vincent | Mike | |
| 1990 | To the Bone | John | |
| 1990 | Hole in One | Steven | |
| 1990 | Big Bang | Matt | |
| 1990 | Gay XXX Superstars of the 1990's | Matt | |
| 1990 | Inside Exposé | Matt | [15] |
| 1990 | 1st Mate | Lover | |
| 1990 | Idol Eyes | Beautiful Boy | [16] |
| 1991 | The Long Hot Summer 2 | Vacation Boy | |
| 1991 | Muscle Bound Men 2 | John | |
| 1991 | Golden Boys (HS): Hot Shots 44 | Matt | |
| 1991 | Cruisin' 2: More Men on the Make | Matt | |
| 1991 | The Abduction 1 | Matt | |
| 1992 | The Best of Joey Stefano | Matt | |
| 1992 | Grand Prize | Latino Guy | |
| 1992 | Mandriven | Latino Guy | |
| 1992 | Man in Motion | Jeffery | |
| 1992 | Into the Night | Cullen | |
| 1992 | My Cousin Danny | Danny's Cousin | |
| 1992 | Les Hommes | Matt | |
| 1992 | Raising Hell | Matt | |
| 1992 | Straight to the Zone | Michael | |
| 1992 | Bondage Reunion 2 | Rob | |
| 1992 | Steamy Bondage Hardons | Andrew | |
| 1993 | Full Length | Barry | |
| 1993 | Model Behavior | Ryan | |
| 1993 | The Challenge | Matt | |
| 1993 | Backdoor Men 1 | Matt | |
| 1993 | Men of Size 2 | Spanish Boy | |
| 1993 | One More Time | Matt | |
| 1993 | Giants 2 | Tommy | |
| 1993 | Cum-a-thon | Matt | |
| 1994 | Skin Art Studs | James | |
| 1994 | Boot Black 1 | Taylor | |
| 1994 | By Invitation Only | Matt | |
| 1994 | Dreaming in Blue | Mike | |
| 1994 | Cool Hand Dick | Ken | |
| 1994 | Marked Men | Matt | |
| 1994 | Men with Tools 1 | Boy | |
| 1994 | Mean Streak | Matt | |
| 1994 | The Best of Joey Stefano | Matt | |
| 1994 | Slave Auction | Handsome Slave Boy | |
| 1994 | Muscle Beach Boys 3 | Beach Boy | |
| 1994 | Beach Bums 1 | Surfer | |
| 1995 | Horse Hung | Matt | |
| 1995 | Long Play | Francis | |
| 1995 | Water Boys 4 | Clark | |
| 1995 | Sausage Safari | Hook-Up | |
| 1995 | Beach Bums 2 | Surfer Boy | |
| 1995 | Hot & Hung 3 | Friend | |
| 1995 | Stuf'd | Matt Gunther | |
| 1997 | Catalina 3 For All | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 1997 | Big As This Box 3 | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 1997 | Big As This Box 7 | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 1997 | Water Weinie 2 | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 1997 | Bottom Boy Bonanza | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 1998 | Russell The Wonder Muscle | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 1998 | Matt Gunther and Friends | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 1999 | Sling Shots | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2000 | Director's Best: Chi Chi Larue 2 | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2000 | Night Stick | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2003 | 9 Inch Males | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2004 | Size Matters 1 | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2004 | Size Queens | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2004 | Penis Flytrap | Chris | Posthumous release |
| 2004 | Slings & Things, Vivid's | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2005 | Mister Meatman | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2005 | Water Logged | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2006 | Bear Tales 1 | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2008 | Best of the 1980s 1 | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2009 | The Best of Matt Gunther | Matt Gunther | Posthumous release |
| 2009 | The Best of Chad Knight | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2011 | The Best of Danny Somers | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2013 | My Big Fucking Dick 16: Brad Mitchell | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2013 | The Best of Chris Stone | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2019 | Retro Dudes Dirty Deeds 1 | Handsome Guy | Posthumous release |
| 2020 | Super Studs of Yesteryear 1 | Matt | Posthumous release |
| 2021 | Best of Manville Retro | Matt | Posthumous release |
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gay Erotic Video Awards | 1992 | Best Actor | Biggest Bitch on the Set | Won | [6] |
| Men in Video Awards | 1997 | Porn Legend | Contribution to Porn Cinema | Won | [1] |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Fade Out" Manshots Vol. 10 No. 1. FirstHand Ltd. 1997. p. 82.
- ^ One-handed Histories: The Eroto-politics of Gay Male Video Pornography. Pennsylvania State University. 1995. p. 50.
- ^ "Matt Gunther". www.weremember.com. December 24, 2025.
- ^ Details - Volume 23, Issues 1-5. University of California. 2004. p. 132.
- ^ Manshots Vol. 4 No. 5. FirstHand Ltd. 1992. p. 4.
- ^ a b "First Annual Gay Erotic Video Awards" Gay Video Guide Vol. 2 No. 2. Sabin Publishing. 1992. p. 26.
- ^ "In & Out And All About!" Gay Video Guide Vol. 1 No. 3. Sabin Publishing. 1991. p. 26.
- ^ "Porno-copia!" Gay Video Guide Vol. 2 No. 3. Sabin Publishing. 1993. p. 30.
- ^ Wonder Bread and Ecstasy: The Life and Death of Joey Stefano. Alyson Publications. 1996. p. 133.
- ^ "Close-Up: Matt Gunther: Image Conscious" Manshots Vol. 4 No. 2. FirstHand Ltd. 1991. p. 76.
- ^ Out - Volume 4, Issues 1-5. Northwestern University. 1995. p. 126.
- ^ The Advocate - Issues 589-593. Liberation Publications. 1991. p. 1.
- ^ The Kid: What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided to Go Get Pregnant. Dan Savage. 2000. p. 121.
- ^ Wonder Bread and Ecstasy: The Life and Death of Joey Stefano. Alyson Publications. 1996. p. 64.
- ^ "Inside Exposé" Blueboy Vol. 2 No. 8. Blueboy Incorporated. 1991. p. 37.
- ^ Wonder Bread and Ecstasy: The Life and Death of Joey Stefano. Alyson Publications. 1996. p. 207.
External links
- Matt Gunther at IMDb