Adult performer, content producer, and 2016 AVN Best Male Newcomer Brad Knight died at age 36 after an extended battle with cancer. Knight passed away around 12 a.m. on May 7, 2025, in hospice care in Los Angeles.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Brandon Knight on December 29, 1988, in Richmond, Virginia, Knight was a Virginia native. He earned a degree in Criminal Justice in Tampa, Florida, and worked as a bartender before entering the adult entertainment industry in 2011. His early career, from 2011 to 2015, focused on building experience and establishing himself, appearing in numerous scenes.
Knight began performing for Florida-based studios and quickly developed a reputation for reliability and versatility, averaging more than 20 scenes per month in his early years. In 2016, he moved to Los Angeles and signed with OC Modeling.
Industry Recognition and Collaborations
Knight's breakthrough in the adult film industry occurred in 2016 when he won the AVN Award for Best Male Newcomer. His career included collaborations with major studios such as Brazzers, Digital Playground, Evil Angel, Reality Kings, and Wicked Pictures. He also worked with Immoral Productions. In addition to his AVN award win, he received multiple XMA Europa nominations for his scene and clip work.
He was a 2025 XMA Creator Award nominee for Group/Orgy Collab Clip of the Year. Julia Grandi, owner of Jul Models and director at Vixen Media Group, facilitated Knight's debut for Vixen Media Group, a studio he had wanted to perform for.
Battle with Cancer
Knight was diagnosed with stomach cancer in August 2023 while residing in Budapest, Hungary. In late 2019, he had left the U.S. adult industry and moved to China to teach school. In September 2022, he decided to return to performing in Europe, with assistance from his friend and colleague Dan Leal, also known as "Porno Dan."
He returned to the United States in April 2025 seeking medical treatment and to complete filming commitments. He flew to Florida for production shoots but was unable to perform due to back pain. Doctors in Florida determined that the cancer had metastasized from his stomach to his spine, with few treatment options available. Knight had initially thought the back pain might be the result of a gym injury.
Ten days before his passing, Knight traveled to Los Angeles to enter hospice care, where he succumbed to the illness. Leal, a longtime friend and frequent collaborator, stated that Knight fought cancer until the very end, going to the gym and laughing around others to try to mask his pain.
Tributes and Legacy
Dan Leal, a friend and colleague, described Knight as among the most thoughtful and caring people he had known. They became friends in 2015, attending LA Galaxy games together. Leal, who moved to Europe in 2017, maintained close communication with Knight. Leal noted that when Knight moved to Europe, he made many changes and was always very kind and considerate to female talent, striving to be respectful in his scenes.
Leal also mentioned that Knight was proud of his XMA Europa award nominations and had planned to return this year. Leal described Knight as funny, intelligent, and very kind, sharing a common love of football and being members of the LA Galaxy supporters group, "The Riot Squad."
Julia Grandi, who worked with Knight early in 2025, expressed happiness at being able to fulfill his dream of working for Vixen Media Group.
Key Facts
- Brad Knight died on May 7, 2025, at age 36.
- He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in August 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.
- Knight won the 2016 AVN Award for Best Male Newcomer.
- He was a native of Richmond, Virginia, and earned a Criminal Justice degree in Tampa, Florida.
- His career included work with Brazzers, Digital Playground, Evil Angel, Reality Kings, Wicked Pictures, and Immoral Productions.
- He passed away in hospice care in Los Angeles after the cancer metastasized to his spine.
