Karen Dior

Karen Dior (February 14, 1967 – August 25, 2004), born Geoffrey Gann, was an American adult film performer and director. He was best known as a pioneer in popularizing adult films involving transsexual people.

Life and career
When not performing as Karen Dior in films or in personal appearances, he identified as a male, and performed and directed in numerous gay pornographic films. As Karen, however, he created a unique character who was more than a cross-dresser, and was called "one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood". Dior performed in scenes involving both men and women as partners. Dior performed in approximately 120 adult films, most of them as Karen Dior, and about 30 as Geoff Dior or Rick Van. He also used the names Geoffrey Karen Dior, Geoffrey Gann, and Geoff Gann.

In addition to the adult entertainment industry, Dior also had some roles in mainstream film and television. His first mainstream role was as Loni Anderson’s stalker in the TV movie The Price She Paid (1992). Other mainstream work included guest appearances in Xena: Warrior Princess, Head Over Heels, and Veronica's Closet, as well as directing an episode of Xena.

A favorite among Hollywood celebrities, Dior knew such stars as Drew Barrymore, Gerardo, k.d. lang, Janet Leigh, John Candy, Madonna, Hugh Hefner, David Faustino, and others.

Dior died at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, of hepatitis stemming from AIDS.

Selected filmography

 * Zigs (2001)
 * Veronica's Closet: “Veronica's a Drag” (1998)
 * Head Over Heels: “One Down” (1997)
 * Xena: Warrior Princess: “Here She Comes… Miss Amphipolis” (1997)
 * A River Made to Drown In (1997)
 * Mystery Date (1992)
 * Single White Shemale (1992)

Directing Credits

 * Leather Temptation (2002)
 * Bi-Dazzled (2001)
 * Bi Athletes (2000)
 * Getting Personal (1999)
 * Playing the Odds (1998)
 * Genderella (1998)

Band member

 * The Johnny Depp Clones
 * Goddess

Autobiography

 * Sleeping Under the Stars (2002) ISBN 0-9706956-0-8