Talk:Paul Barresi

CITE YOUR SOURCES - it is as simple as that.--Jimbo Wales 22:24, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

Travolta reference?

Is the Travolta reference really necessary? The information can be accessed via the external links. I had originally left it out because it seems to me that an encyclopedia does not legitimately deal in scandal, especially if unsubstantiated. RivGuySC 04:37, 1 September 2005 (UTC)

Let's give the guy a chance to respond

He's planning to email me something. He says that the article contains several errors which are upsetting to him and his family and there is updated information.--Jimbo Wales 14:44, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

The guy works in the porn industry. I don't see what makes that unclear. See IMDB. --Candide, or Optimism 13:07, 25 February 2006 (UTC)

Could you please stop? There is nothing in anything that I wrote which suggested that he was denying working in the porn industry. Assume good faith. I am working with Mr. Barresi to determine exactly which bits of the bio were erroneous and in the meantime, it doesn't do any good for you to imply that he's trying to deny something which he isn't.--Jimbo Wales 20:14, 25 February 2006 (UTC)

Okay, fine, I'll stop. I was just surprised to see you removing so much of the text. --Candide, or Optimism 23:57, 25 February 2006 (UTC)

But until then, and until any material submitted is referenced and thoroughly NPOVed, let's keep what's there already... Robertissimo 16:33, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

WP:OFFICE is policy. I expect you to respect it.--Jimbo Wales 23:01, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

To be fair, when the WP:OFFICE was reverted, whoever did it was not logged in and it showed up as an IP edit, and I'm guessing that it was not your intention that random people be allowed to use that policy. Makemi 23:51, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

Indeed, you make a good point. Thanks.--Jimbo Wales 20:14, 25 February 2006 (UTC)

I don't get it. Posted his bio. -Andrew

Material to consider for future inclusion

(moved Mr. Barresi's feedback to bottom of page to preserve chronological order)

This section should be treated as a sandbox for gathering reputable sources and sourced material that could go into a future version of the article. Feel free to add and expand. On second thought, don't treat it like an ordinary sandbox, but one with buried mines. Proceed with caution as per WP:LIVING. --MarkSweep (call me collect) 03:36, 25 February 2006 (UTC)

IMDb link

Paul Barresi at IMDb
Pretty standard for actors, directors, media personalities. --MarkSweep (call me collect) 03:36, 25 February 2006 (UTC)

DOB

January 12, 1948
From IMDb. --MarkSweep (call me collect) 03:41, 25 February 2006 (UTC)

Categories

Barresi, Paul, Barresi, Paul
Standard. --MarkSweep (call me collect) 03:41, 25 February 2006 (UTC)

Material contributed by Paul Barresi

I have explained to Paul that much of the material here will need to be confirmed before we can use it, and that the "press bio" style of writing is not suitable to wikipedia.

Nonetheless there seems to be some usable information here.

Paul Barresi writes:

In April 2001, New Times, Los Angeles reported, “If Damon Runyon had lived in modern Hollywood rather than Depression era New York, he might have written a short story about Paul Barresi."

PAUL BARRESI is a former undefeated, state wrestling champion and veteran of the Vietnam war era. Shortly after receiving an honorable discharge from the US Air Force in 1971 at March AFB, Riverside California, the strikingly handsome, Italian American fulfilled his life time dream of becoming an actor, by landing a role in the Merchant-Ivory production of “The Wild Party,” starring Rachel Welch.

After the film’s release, Barresi relocated to New York to study acting and work as a catalog model. With several off Broadway shows under his belt, in March 1974, Barresi appeared along side aspiring actress Cassandra Peterson, (better known today as Elvira-Mistress of the Dark, in a sell out issue of Playgirl Magazine.

An adult film producer saw the Playgirl spread and cast Barresi in his first xxx flick, “Coed Fever.” From then on, Barresi lived, as Bill Clinton defined in his book-- “A parallel life.” In 1983, he had already starred in dozens of adult film but that did not stop famed director James Bridges from hiring Barresi for a feature role in the Hollywood film, “Perfect.”

Bearing all, in a men’s locker room scene, before the film closed its three week run, the super buffed Barresi started up his own sweat and slim enterprise in which he personally supervised exercise programs for the Hollywood elite.

Barresi capitalized on his Hollywood connections to attract such celebrity clients as music mogul, now Dreamworks co founder, David Geffen, playwright Neil Simon, “Entertainment Tonight” host Mary Hart, “Three’s Company” sitcom star, Joyce Dewitt and Go-Go's drummer Gina Schock.

Barresi’s multi faceted career as a main stream Hollywood actor, porn icon and fitness trainer to the stars is unprecedented. While acting in adult film, Barresi continued to land roles on TV soaps, including “Days of Our Lives” and “Capital.” And, he was featured on dozens of television sitcoms and episodic including “Who’s The Boss,” “Empty Nest,” “Murphy Brown” and “A different World,” “The Equalizer,” “D.E.A,” “Gabriel’s Fire,” “Father Dowling,” “Matlock,” “NYPD Blue,” “JAG and “Angel.”

Before retiring in 1988 as an adult entertainer, Barresi starred in over 50 adult films, appeared in Playgirl Magazine for a second time, and he was selected by Larry Flynt, himself, to be the first man featured on the cover of Hustler Magazine.

In 1990, however, Barresi’s good fortune took a turn for the worse. He sold a bogus story to the National Enquirer for $100,000, alleging an intimate relationship he claimed he had with a major Hollywood star which he later recanted.

“No excuses, but it was at a time when drugs, alcohol and sex addiction got the best of me. It was a chapter in my life I will always regret, and that I will just have to live with. But, I eventually beat my demons; turned my life around and landed back on my feet.”, Barresi said.

In 1993, Barresi began directing adult film and discovered a newfound career as a self styled private investigator and worked as a free lance investigative reporter for KCBS news, in Los Angeles.

To date, in his true to form-- multi hat wearing fashion, as a porn maker, Barresi has produced, written and directed over 200 adult films, in all genres. Barresi is quick to point out, "Every man is entitled to be recognized for his best achievements in life."

As an investigator, Barresi assisted the FBI capture two of America’s Most Wanted and had the distinct privilege and honor of being selected to be the personal security escort to Maria Shriver and the man who accompanied her, Arnold Schwarzenegger, at the 1994 Los Angeles, Inner City Games. (photo)

Indeed, as evident in the framed letter from the FBI, prominently displayed on his office wall, arguably Barresi is the only self styled sleuth in history to have ever received a letter of acknowledgment from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for his assistance.

Additionally, working along side of famed and now infamous, Beverly Hills private investigator Anthony Pellicano, Barresi assisted Pellicano with a number of high profile cases involving such Hollywood stars as Sylvester Stallone, Eddie Murphy, Michael Jackson, Kevin Cosner, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Cruise.

Barresi’s extraordinary, multifaceted career, in the span of more than three decades, has landed him guest appearances on Current Affair, Jenny Jones, E Entertainment Television, Frontline, CBS Dateline, Jenny Jones, Court TV, Leeza, Celebrity Justice and as recently as February 16, 2006, ABC Primetime.

In addition, Barresi has been the subject of stories published in People, Buzz, Vanity Fair, New York Post, today, Spy, New York Daily News, Justice Magazine, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and Rolling Stone, New York Post and the New York Daily News.

When Barresi is not working as an adult film producer or private investigator, he continues to pursue acting jobs. Most recently, he had a feature spot in director John Carpenter’s sci-fi film, “The Ghosts of Mars.” Currently he has several offers on the table for rights to his life story.

Note the only material present in the article as it was and not in the material above is his work in "gay" pornography. No opinion on whether such a mention is necessary or not, but it seems pretty verifiable, based on the titles in his IMDB entry. However, the "pornographic actors" infobox's inclusion of a sexuality category seems problematic. Simply because an actor has been in films portraying homosexual acts does not mean that that actor is gay or bisexual, any more than it means that the actor is actually a plumber when a scene calls for one. Makemi 20:35, 25 February 2006 (UTC)

Yes. Well feel free to make edits in accordance with your best judgment here. I do think this is where the problem was with the original article. Mr. Barresi is not shy about his full career.--Jimbo Wales 23:38, 25 February 2006 (UTC)

I incorporated what could be confirmed independently, but there are quite a few contested statements in his autobiographical profile above. Apparently, there are porno geeks, like sci-fi and sports geeks, who have extensive knowledge of porno trivia. They seem to take issue with a number of Mr. Barresi's claims, and their documentation often seems pretty good. [1] Much more to be said about his adult film work.

You learn something every day around here... Jokestress 11:32, 20 April 2006 (UTC)

Just to be clear

WP:OFFICE is lifted on this page. Edit to your hearts content. I think it is very wise to be very cautious about supposing things about Mr. Barresi that are not _directly_ in evidence from _reliable_ sources. That he was involved in the porn industry is not disputed. That he is bisexual or personally performed in 'gay porn' I have no clue, haven't looked in imdb or whatever. If there are elements of his career in his press bio that we previously failed to mention, but which can be verified by third party sources, we should add those.

I want to emphasize a few things: Mr. Barresi has been courteous throughout this, made no legal threats against Wikipedia, and seems genuinely interested in having a high quality and neutral article about himself in the encyclopedia.--Jimbo Wales 17:55, 26 February 2006 (UTC)

I am unclear about what is disputed, but Mr. Barresi informs me that IMDB contains some significant errors. I'm trying to determine the details, but in the meantime, let's work with the other material first?--Jimbo Wales 00:12, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

That's quite possible. IMDb bios are of varying quality, occasionally amounting to little more than trivia and/or gossip. In this case, IMDb was the only source that listed a DOB. If this is indeed in dispute, I'll remove the DOB and restore the remaining stub info. --MarkSweep (call me collect) 01:08, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

Just a note from an outsider

I don't really care who Paul Barresi is, I just saw this linked from slashdot. This edit summary "WP:OFFICE, please respect, there may be issues you don't know about)" given for removal of a bunch of content doesn't explain much. I never heard of WP:OFFICE before, found the page. I guess it has something to do with a legal issue. Who really knows, that page doesn't explain a whole lot. That plus wording like "there may be issues you don't know about" gives the impression there's a lot of secrecy going on and the rest of us are just second class citizens who are tolerated as long as we don't interfere with this secret business. After reading this article I can't help but feel that now I should consider if "there may be issues [I] don't know about" whenever I consider editing any other article, not that my hesitation or leaving all together would be any big loss for wikipedia. A little more information and explanation whenever there is a argument on discussion pages would go a long way - for example saying "Can you please stop" and not saying what exactly it is you want someone to stop doing doesn't come off very professionally. I've seen on other user pages people joke about the wikipedia cabal - and I've always taken this to be a joke with the intention of getting across the point that wikpedia is so open, one could never take such an idea seriously. Frankly I can't see why anyone would donate to this project if they knew this is how things were run, unless of course they were one of the ones who in on whatever it is that is going on. Perhaps in an effort to encourage whoever replies to this, I should say, I'm half expecting to get replies of, "don't comment on things when you don't know what is going on".--Paraphelion 20:28, 16 April 2006 (UTC)

Same here, Paraphelion. But common sense tells one that "cabal" is too emotive word. There has to be a small team of people with dictatorial control over Wikipedia or it would get out of hand, possibly cause legal problems for the Wikimedia foundation. Like you, I've been extremely reluctant to donate dollars to a website which I contribute a lot already, for no personal monetary gain. Donama 11:42, 17 April 2006 (UTC)

Well actually, I felt using the site, even by editing is a reason to donate money. And I don't mind that there are people with more power than others here. The main thing is that it really doesn't seem like an open community.--Paraphelion 19:06, 17 April 2006 (UTC)

It's really quite simple: Mr. Barresi's biography should very strictly follow established editorial standards and Wikipedia policies, including WP:LIVING, WP:V, and WP:NPOV. Given that nobody has come forward with reliable sources on which to base the current article, it's obviously rather difficult to write a factually accurate and balanced article about Mr. Barresi. In fact, if you review the prior debate on this talk page, you'll rapidly conclude that we can't really move beyond the status quo without first finding at least one trustworthy and comprehensive source, which so far hasn't happened. --MarkSweep (call me collect) 07:16, 18 April 2006 (UTC)

Are you talking about deleted discussions, because nothing on this page presently resembles what you've just said. Also it looks like the legal reasons are the main reasons perhaps in some combination with "issues we don't know about". Legal reasons are fine, if people say what they are.--Paraphelion 05:03, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

Stub?

Shouldn't it be a stub? It's so small, and has no sections, pictures or anything... --80.63.213.182 21:48, 16 April 2006 (UTC)

I don't get it, but I fixed it. --72.38.179.126 05:19, 17 April 2006 (UTC)

"According to IMDB"

Its not libellous to say "according to IMDB". We are not asserting it as fact, just saying that that is what IMDB says. If there is a claim of libel, Paul Barresi should take it up with the people at IMDB. IMDB is ordinarily thought to be a very reliable source, and I see no reason to dispute it in this instance. So I went ahead and included that section. The issue seems to be whether the aliases given by IMDB, i.e. Jason Thorpe and Joe Hammer, are really him. I went ahead and was bold with this. 203.122.195.111 18:15, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

I like the latest version, presumably written by Barresi himself. But I think that we should hold off on major editing until IMDB is updated, if indeed it really is inaccurate. It can wait a week or so to see what happens. If IMDB is wrong, I'm sure they'll comply and update it. 203.122.195.111 21:18, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

Just to be clear

The article is only semi-protected, and I hope very much that someone will get excited about the article and bring it up to snuff. It used to be full of unsourced stuff or badly sourced stuff, and now it is sad and lonely and empty. --Jimbo Wales 04:53, 20 April 2006 (UTC)

Starting at the beginning

OK, I have been doing the same kind of meticulous citations on Daniel Brandt, so let's do everything with published references. Let's start with birth date, which varies by source (1948 or 1949). I suggest this:

Paul Barresi (born 12 January 1948 or 1949 ) is an American film director and media personality.

---

--- Any objections to adding this and building from here? If anyone has the March 1975 Playgirl where he did the erotic space fantasy with the future Ms. Elvira, maybe there is a birthdate citation on the poster in there, a la Playboy centerfolds. Jokestress 09:13, 20 April 2006 (UTC)

You are doing great work. I will pass along any concerns that Mr. Barresi emails me to you, so that hopefully some compromise can be reached on those bits. He's a reasonable guy, he was just upset that the article was poorly written and poorly sourced. It looks to me lik you are really doing some great work. --Jimbo Wales 01:50, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

IMDb and other sources

Mr. Barresi appears to have an issue with some information on his IMDb profile. In addition, several details provided by him conflict with verifiable information, especially dates and film credits. Further, many of the sources are "gossipy," and he has contradicted and reversed himself at times in his career. All of this is to say that wherever possible, I have tried to verify through independent sources. He seems to have concerns about certain labels being attached to him and certain descriptions of his ouvre. As mentioned above, we should not consider IMDb definitive or complete in this case for now, and we should try to confirm any other details from sources besides Mr. Barresi. Jokestress 04:44, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

Mitteager tapes

An earlier version, citing the Finke article, said Barressi "made a deal with KCBS" to air the Mitteager tapes. [2] Mr. Barresi has taken issue with the word "deal," so it has been removed. In addition, due to editorial oversight, the earlier version suggested that Mitteager's wife gave the tapes to Barresi in 2004, when they were bequeathed to him shortly after Mitteager's death. Jokestress 06:09, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

I have also removed the conflicting statement that Griffin reported about Mitteager's tapes arriving at Barresi's "seven years after his death." Barresi claims he got them before and immediately after Mitteager died. Jokestress 09:14, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

Pellicano's m.o.

Barresi's profile in the Halbfinger NYT piece suggests that much of the work he did with Pellicano was pre-emptive damage control. The article now reflects passages to that effect. I also set off the Pellicano stuff with a subhead, since that will probably all get expanded this year. Jokestress 06:51, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

Feedback from Paul Barresi

(an archived response detailing some of Mr. Barresi's concerns is available here.)

Mr. Barresi, I am citing sources for every paragraph, and I am trying very hard to be sensitive to your concerns regarding accuracy. I hope you will clarify any inaccuracies or other issues you have with the article so we can address them. We all want this to be neutral and verifiable per Wikipedia's policies. Jokestress 20:27, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

GOOD. SITE THIS SOURCE. NEW YORK DAILY NEWS. IT CLEARLY SAYS I BROUGHT RED TO SEE PELLICANO BUT NOWHERE DOES IT SAY I WAS HELPING RED SELL HIS BOOK. I BROUGHT RED TO PELLICANO ON PRETENSE OF SELLING A BOOK TO GET HIM THERE. IT WAS A RUSE.

New York Daily News - May 20, 05 Holmes is where Tom's heart is

Tom Cruise is gushing to everyone about his love for Katie Holmes. Says Oprah: 'He's gone.' Tom Cruise adores his latest love, Katie Holmes. Let's hope, this time, there are no male porn stars looking to smudge the picture of happiness.

As Cruise makes the rounds promoting "War of the Worlds," the often-guarded actor can't stop gushing about the "Batman Begins" actress.

"I love this woman," Cruise told "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush in an interview airing Monday. "I am so happy, and I am not going to pretend or hide it or be shy. This woman is magnificent."

Giddy Tom pulled Katie onstage during his chat with Oprah Winfrey, also airing Monday. "I've never seen him like this before," says Oprah. "He's gone."

Usually, it's around this time that some creepy hustler crawls out of his go-go cage to spoil the joy.

You may remember Chad Slater, aka Kyle Bradford, the "erotic wrestler" who claimed in 2001 he'd been Cruise's lover. Cruise, who was starting to date Penelope Cruz, filed a $100 million defamation suit against Slater - coming away with a $10 million judgment.

You haven't heard about another porn actor, known as "Big Red." In November 2002, private-eye Paul Barresi who specializes in celebrity damage control, heard that Red was trying to sell his story. Barresi says he arranged for Red to meet him and infamous Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano.

Red told them he'd had an encounter with Cruise at his London home when the actor and then-wife Nicole Kidman, were shooting "Eyes Wide Shut," according to Barresi, who promptly informed Cruise's pit- bull lawyer, Bert Fields.

Fields hurled one of his fireball letters.

"As you well know, this story is an utter fabrication," wrote Fields. "[Tom Cruise] has never had a homosexual experience or encounter with you or anyone else."

Fields tells us he was unaware of any involvement by Pellicano, who thereafter went to jail for possessing illegal explosives.

The lawyer confirms Barresi's role but says, "Pellicano was not acting for Tom Cruise."

Thanks for the comments, Mr. Barresi. We will incorporate them where appropriate today. The way Wikipedia works is that we can only cite published information. Unfortunately, we can't use anything that hasn't appeared in published form, even if you tell us yourself. That allows anyone to check the facts themselves, so they don't have to take our word for it. Everyone wants this article to be accurate, but as you note, your life and career are multi-faceted. It's hard to summarize everything, but we are trying to work with you to make this as balanced as possible. I understand you are upset, but I am not trying to discredit you or label you in a way you feel in inaccurate. If that were my goal, I would not edit under my real name. Thanks again for your comments above. Jokestress 21:23, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

PLEASE INCORPORATE THE ABOVE NY DAILY NEWS ITEM. YOUR ARTICLE SHOULD READ I WAS WORKING FOR CRUISE. HIS ATTORNEY CONFIRMED THIS FACT IN THE NY DAILY NEWS ITEM AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO SO TOO IN YOUR ARTICLE.

Work as Michael Franco

In his earlier feedback, Mr. Barresi mentioned he had directed Nikki's Choice in 2005, which is credited under the name Michael Franco. I can't find a published confirmation, but I wanted to list it here for future reference. Paul Barresi at IMDb Jokestress 05:39, 22 April 2006 (UTC)

Follow-up: Weird, the IMBD page says Franco, but the number nm2006662 lists Paul Barresi here. There's also nm0056947, which gives Paul Barresi at IMDb here. I will add it to the main page. Jokestress 05:43, 22 April 2006 (UTC)

1994 photo

Mr. Barresi has provided this photo and requested it be used in the article:

File:Barresi-schwarzenegger.jpg

Barresi (foreground) providing security escort for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver at the 1994 Los Angeles Inner City Games.

.

I told him that because there is no corresponding information in the article about it (e.g., a published source from 1994 describing his involvement), I would upload it but leave it on the talk page for now. Jokestress 21:39, 9 May 2006 (UTC)

Replacing images below by request. Jokestress 00:36, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

Paul Barresi in 2002.

File:Barresi-frontline.jpg

Barresi in a still from a 1994 PBS Frontline episode on tabloid news.