Ivan launched his adult career after meeting Rob Black, who offered him the opportunity to shoot wrestling footage before he was asked to try his hand in porn. “I came in as a Behind-the-Scenes guy, and let me tell you, back then none of them knew what they were doing… so one day I just asked my boss if I could direct… I started shooting individual scenes… the movie that put me on the map, I did a movie called Texas Asshole Massacre and that movie put me on the map in a big way!”
He adds that the reason he produces films, podcasts and live wrestling scenarios for fans is because of “the personalities that create the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, the everything else… to express our eccentric minds and realities and the way we dress and tattoos.”
ABOUT IVAN:
Born in Russia, Ivan moved to the U.S. as a child and earned a degree in Cinematography before embarking on an entertainment career in mainstream film and TV. He came into the adult biz in 2002, making his mark with such movies as 2004’s Texas Asshole Massacre and 2005’s Dawn of the Head, earning him a number of awards, nominations and a Hall of Fame induction that celebrate his talents.
While reveling in his success as a filmmaker, media personality, entrepreneur and podcast host, the past few years have also seen him become involved with the XPW (Xtreme Pro Wrestling) organization in Southern California, and take on a surprise diabetes diagnosis that affected his ability to walk and work.
Between the extensive healing process, adopting a healthier lifestyle and developing new creative projects, “What I learned during this experience is how important it is to listen to your body. Many of us have this ‘I got this!’ mentality, but truthfully, we don’t. It’s a serious reminder to stop and do a wellness check on ourselves physically, mentally, business-wise and how we treat others. We hustle and bustle and just run with no breaks, but we need those breaks… they are crucial.” To learn more about Ivan, visit IamIvan.com or follow him on Twitter @IamIvanXXX.