Rod Phillips (born Gregory Leslie Patton; August 23, 1960 – May 24, 1993) was an American adult gay film actor and jeweler who appeared in gay pornographic films from 1982 to 1993. He was recognized for his "All-American" athletic physique and blond hair, becoming a prominent figure during the "Golden Age" of gay cinema.
Early life and education Gregory Leslie Patton was born in El Centro, California. He developed a fascination with jewelry making at a young age, learning basic gem polishing and pearl knotting by age 12. He graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1978.
Following high school, Patton moved to Paris, Texas, to study jewelry making and gemology at Paris Junior College. He briefly lived in Midland, Texas, before returning to Santa Barbara in 1980.
Career Adult film and modeling In late 1982, Patton met adult film star Lee Ryder at the Boom-Boom Room in Laguna Beach. The two began a relationship, and at Ryder's urging, Patton entered the adult industry under the stage name Rod Phillips. He was also occasionally credited as Ron Greer.
Phillips was noted for his athletic build and "All-American" appearance, which led to extensive modeling work for Modernismo Publications and other publishers. He appeared in magazines such as Honcho, Jock, Torso, and Just Men.
He retired from the industry in the mid-1980s but made two separate comebacks, once in 1990 and again in 1993. During his 1990 return, he briefly dated and performed with Joey Stefano.
Jewelry vocation Outside of film, Phillips was a skilled jeweler. He worked for Diamonds on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills for several years. In his final year, due to declining health, he took a freelance position at The Gauntlet, a famous body piercing boutique in West Hollywood, because it was within walking distance of his home.
Personal life Phillips was in a long-term relationship with Lee Ryder until approximately 1985. In 1992, he was diagnosed with HIV-related lymphatic prostate cancer. Despite undergoing extensive chemotherapy, he continued to maintain a fitness regimen until early 1993.
Death Phillips died on May 24, 1993, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood at the age of 32. While rumors of suicide by overdose circulated within the industry, his death was officially attributed to rapid health decline from AIDS-related complications. He is memorialized on The AIDS Memorial.
Filmography Film YearTitleRoleNotes 1983 Winner Takes All Rod Debut 1983 Winner Takes All: High Voltage Rod 1983 Spokes Ron Greer 1984 The Biggest One I Ever Saw! Handsome Guy 1984 Giants 1 Jack 1984 Men in Films: Too Hot for Cable Steve 1985 Boys Town: Going West Hollywood The Model 1985 Windows Rod 1986 Daddies: Hot Shots 7 Jeff 1986 Kink: Hot Shots 6 Lover Boy 1987 Too Big for His Britches Blonde 1987 Men & Films Stephen 1987 The Best of Blonds 1: Stroke 1 Blonde 1988 Bare Tales Matt 1990 Guess Who's Cuming? Rod 1990 Hard Steal Ret. P.I. Tyler 'Ty' Hartman 1990 Plunge Rod 1992 The Best of Joey Stefano Rod Phillips 1993 Hologram Jeremy 1994 Make Mine Jizz, Hard Hunks Collection Chris Posthumous release 2006 The Big Surprise Rod Posthumous release 2007 Falcon Studios 35th Anniversary Limited Edition Rod Posthumous release 2008 The Best of Lee Ryder Rod Posthumous release 2008 The Best of Leo Ford vs. Kurt Marshall Rod Posthumous release 2009 Best of the 1980s Rod Posthumous release 2010 Rites of Initiation Rod Posthumous release 2011 Grudge Fuck Rod Posthumous release 2013 Riveting Raw Threeways!, Falcon Bareback 12 Rod Posthumous release 2015 Deep Raw Delivery: Falcon Bareback 24 Rod Posthumous release 2021 Falcon Icons: The 1980s Rod Posthumous release
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