Mickey Squires

Mickey Squires
Born
Richard Bernsteins

(1952-12-21) December 21, 1952
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U. S.
Other namesJason Sato
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Model
  • Choreographer
Years active1972 – present
Agent(s)Colt Studio Group
Falcon Studios

Mickey Squires (born Richard Bernstein; December 21, 1952) is an American adult film actor and model who became a defining icon of the "Castro Clone" and "muscle daddy" aesthetics during the 1970s, 1980s and the early 1990s.[1][2] As a primary star for the Colt Studio Group, Squires helped transition gay erotic imagery from the lean, mustachioed "clone" look of the post-Stonewall era into the hyper-masculine, bodybuilder-influenced aesthetic of the 1980s.[3][1][4]

Early life

Born in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, Bernstein was the youngest of three brothers and was raised by a single mother in North Long Beach.[1] In contrast to his athletic siblings, he was drawn to the performing arts, often choreographing ballets and conducting imaginary orchestras as a child.[1] He began his professional career in film distribution with 20th Century Fox in the early 1970s, eventually moving to San Francisco as a sales manager just as the city's gay sexual revolution was beginning.[1]

Career

Adult media and the "Colt Man" aesthetic

Bernstein began modeling under the pseudonym Mickey Squires after a friend encouraged him to pose nude.[1] His career began with physique photography for clubs like The Probe before he was recruited by Jim French, the founder of Colt Studio Group.[1]

Historical Impact of Colt Studio Group

Under the direction of founder and photographer Jim French, Colt Studio Group (founded in 1967) revolutionized gay male visibility by establishing a "hyper-masculine" ideal.[1] In the 1980s, Colt moved away from the "pretty boy" imagery of earlier decades toward a rugged, muscular, and "butch" aesthetic, often utilizing uniforms and outdoor settings to communicate power and assertion.[1]

He was a major star for Colt Films, Zeus, and J. Brian.[5][1] His notable works include Flashbacks (1980), Red Ball Express (1981), and the experimental military-themed film The Brig (1982) as Jason Sato, directed by Norman Yonemoto.[6][1] Squires was noted for his ability to maintain a rugged, "all-man" persona on screen, a style that made him a favorite for directors like Norman Yonemoto.[1] The Come On with Jack Packer is cited by Bernstein as his favorite performance due to the genuine chemistry with his scene partner.[1]

During the 1980s, Squires became a central figure in the shift from the lean "Castro Clone" look to a "beefy muscle daddy" aesthetic.[7][1] Colt Studios utilized Squires to project a rugged, blue-collar masculinity that often featured uniforms, denim, and outdoor settings.[1][8] He appeared on approximately 20 adult magazine covers, including Mandate and Zipper.[9][10][11]

While most careers in the industry were brief, Squires appeared sporadically in videos as late as Butch Bear (2001).[1]

Later life

After retiring from adult performance in the early 2000s, Bernstein worked in the hotel industry.[1] He is a long-term survivor of HIV/AIDS, having been diagnosed in 1996.[1] In the 2020s, he returned to the public eye as the subject of the documentary Mickey & Richard (2026). The film, which premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, explores the dichotomy between his shy private personality (as Richard Bernstein) and his iconic screen persona (as Mickey Squires).[1] Bernstein resides in Palm Springs, California.[1]

Personal life

Bernstein worked for years in the hotel industry following his retirement from adult media.[1] A long-term survivor of HIV (diagnosed in 1996), he remains an active member of the LGBTQ+ community in Palm Springs, California.[1] He is a lover of theater and high culture, he often surprised clients and fans by being "really nice" and intellectual, a far cry from the aggressive, silent characters he played on screen.[1]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role/Studio Notes
1980 Flashbacks J. Brian Iconic scene filmed in Muir Woods.[12]
1981 Face To Face Mickey [13]
1981 Red Ball Express Wolf PM Productions[14]
1981 San Francisco Mickey Part of the "Clone" era series.
1981 The Come On Mickey With Jack Packer; Bernstein's personal favorite scene.
1982 The Brig Jason Sato Directed by Norman Yonemoto.[15]
1983 Best Of Colt Films 2 Mickey Compilation; featured in "Sun Strokes."
1983 Blue Hanky Left Bodybuilder PM Productions
1983 Orange Hanky Left Musculer Bodybuilder PM Productions
1984 Fade Out Handsome Guy HIS Video[16]
1985 Joys of Self Abuse Mickey Wings Video
1985 Safe Sex Mickey Released during the onset of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
1986 Best Of Colt Films 3 Mickey Colt Studios
1987 Best Stallions Mickey Bad Boys Video
1988 Stroke 26: Anywhere, Anytime Mickey Vidco Entertainment
1991 Best Of Colt Films 10 Mickey Colt Studios
1992 Best Of Colt Films 12 Mickey Colt Studios featured in "The Come On" segment.
1993 Muscle Club Mickey Squires Transition to "Muscle Daddy" aesthetic.
1995 Wettest Chris Live Video Inc
1996 Bear Classic Steve Entry into the "Bear" subculture genre.
1997 Big Bearded And Bulging Steve HIS Video
2001 Bear Country Bob Catalina Video
2001 Fire And Smoke Vance BIC Productions
2001 Leather Sex Underground Ricky Manhunter
2001 Butch Bear Rex Final major feature of the era.
2002 Boner's Manual William BIC Productions.
2003 Bodybuilders' Jam 5 Mickey Jimmy Z Productions physique documentary.
2005 Bodybuilders' Jam 9 Micky Jimmy Z Productions
2006 Bodybuilders' Jam 7 Mickey Jimmy Z Productions
2006 Tool Chest: An Erotic Collection Butch Bear Anthology release.
2007 Bodybuilders' Jam 25 Bodybuilder Jimmy Z Productions
2007 My Dick On Fire Mickey Uniform X
2022 Raw! Uncut! Video! Mickey Documentary subject.
2026 Mickey & Richard Mickey Documentary directed by Ryan A. White and Alex Clausen.

Legacy

He is the subject of the feature-length documentary Mickey & Richard (2026), which premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.[1] The film explores the contrast between his reserved private life as Richard Bernstein and his enduring legacy as the "hyper-masculine" Mickey Squires.[1] He has embraced his status as a historical figure through the documentaries Raw! Uncut! Video! (2022) and the Mickey & Richard.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "The Legend of Mickey Squires - '80s porn star returns, as himself". The Bay Area Reporter. September 24, 2024.
  2. ^ "3 Faces of Mickey Squires" Torso Vol. 1 No. 9. Mavety Media Group Ltd. 1983. p. 42.
  3. ^ "The Men of C.C. Construction Co." In Touch No. 53. In Touch Inc. 1981. p. 37.
  4. ^ Gay San Francisco: A Memoir of the Sex, Art, Salon, Pop Culture War, and Gay History of DRUMMER Magazine: the Titanic 1970s to 1999: Eyewitness DRUMMER Vol 1. Palm Drive Publishing. 2011. p. 52.
  5. ^ "Pulse" Hot Male Review Vol. 3 No. 3. Zeus. 1987. p. 15.
  6. ^ "J. Brian's Flashbacks" Skinflicks Vol. 1 No. 6. Magcorp Publishing Co. Inc. 1981. p. 26.
  7. ^ Honcho Vol. 3 No. 11. Modernismo Publications, Ltd. 1981. p. 1.
  8. ^ "Badlands" Honcho Vol. 3 No. 11. Modernismo Publications, Ltd. 1981. p. 21.
  9. ^ "Mickey: He has needs" In Touch No. 53. In Touch Inc. 1981. p. 52.
  10. ^ "Honcho Potential" Honcho Vol. 3 No. 11. Modernismo Publications, Ltd. 1981. p. 4.
  11. ^ "Coming Next Month" Mandate Vol. 8 No. 11. Modernismo Publications, Ltd. 1983. p. 69.
  12. ^ "Flashbacks" Stallion Vol. 1 No. 2. Stallion Publications, Inc. 1982. p. 73.
  13. ^ "Face to Face" Skinflicks Vol. 1 No. 5. Magcorp Publishing Co. Inc. 1981. p. 20.
  14. ^ "Red Ball Express" Skinflicks Vol. 3 No. 1. Magcorp Publishing Co. Inc. 1982. p. 36.
  15. ^ "The Brig" Skinflicks Vol. 3 No. 1. Magcorp Publishing Co. Inc. 1982. p. 20.
  16. ^ Fade Out" Skinflicks Vol. 5 No. 2. Magcorp Publishing Co. Inc. 1984. p. 22.
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