Zebedy Colt – Shooting the Breeze with the Eccentric Thespian of XXX: Podcast 161

In this rare and intimate 1986 conversation, legendary actor and filmmaker Zebedee Colt reflects on a life of artistic reinvention, from his early days as a child actor in 1930s Hollywood to his groundbreaking work in Broadway theatre and avant-garde music. After losing his theatre job in 1974, he unexpectedly entered the world of low-budget adult films in New York, where he became a cult figure for his surreal, psychologically intense films like *Sex Wish* and *The Devil Inside Her*. In candid, barroom-style dialogue with still photographer Barbara Nicky, Colt reveals his deep philosophical views on art, identity, and the business of performance. He discusses his controversial 1969 gay album *I'll Sing For You*, which he created under the pseudonym Zebedee Cole, and reflects on how societal perceptions of sexuality and art have evolved. Colt emphasizes that his work in adult films was never about sex, but about storytelling, character, and the power of editing to transform raw material into something meaningful. He shares his disdain for the decline of 16mm film and the rise of video, and reveals that his true passion lies in editing—where he can 'create something out of nothing.' The conversation ends with a poignant meditation on artistic integrity, the allure of creative control, and the enduring need to be seen and understood.