Robert "Payaso" Mora, a prominent figure in the adult industry known for his extensive work in production and security roles, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2024, at the age of 54, following a battle with cancer.

Industry Contributions and Career

Mora dedicated over two decades to the adult industry, working behind the scenes in various capacities. Born in New York and raised in Los Angeles, he was widely recognized for his roles as a production manager and production assistant. His work included collaborations with Jules Jordan Video, GirlGirl.com, and Jada Stevens. In the early 2000s, Mora played a significant role in the launch and day-to-day operations of Tera Patrick's studio, Teravision. He also co-produced a series of movies for Nautica Thorn Productions, which were distributed by LFP over a two-year period.

Beyond his production work, Mora provided personal security for numerous adult stars. He accompanied performers to dance bookings, industry events, and expo appearances, ensuring their safety and comfort. Adult star Jada Stevens, who first met Mora nearly 15 years ago when he was a production assistant on a Jules Jordan Video set, described him as her roadie and later her production manager. Stevens stated that Mora "protected me" and "always believed in me." Demi Sutra, another adult star for whom Mora worked as an assistant and who was also his neighbor, noted his immediate impact on her life, stating, "He immediately helped me — like day one, literally."

Jules Jordan described Mora as "more than just an employee for me, he was a friend, brother, and part of the family." Jordan highlighted Mora's "integrity and work ethic" as unsurpassed, and his "loyalty" as his number one quality. Jordan added that Mora "was well regarded and respected throughout the industry, and was regarded as a great human, and amazing person."

Agent Mark Spiegler recalled Mora as "a big, scary-looking dude but a teddy bear kind of guy," noting that "the girls that had him as their roadie felt protected having him around." Spiegler's colleague, George Jiries, who knew Mora since 2004, echoed this sentiment, stating that Mora "always made the girls feel safe and protected, he never made the girls feel uncomfortable."

Battle with Cancer

Mora's health struggles began in 2022 when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He underwent emergency surgery to remove a tumor and was hospitalized for over two months. After overcoming this initial bout with the disease, he returned to work for approximately a year and a half. However, the cancer returned in July, leading to a stage 4 diagnosis. Mora was readmitted to the hospital a couple of weeks before his passing. Jada Stevens reported that Mora had completed another round of chemotherapy on Thursday night, the day before he passed, and had been in good spirits.

Outside of his professional life, Mora was known for his involvement in the Los Angeles and New York punk music scenes.

Key Facts

  • Name: Robert "Payaso" Mora
  • Date of Passing: Friday, August 30, 2024
  • Age: 54
  • Cause of Death: Cancer (pancreatic cancer diagnosed in 2022)
  • Primary Roles: Production manager, production assistant, personal security for adult stars
  • Notable Collaborations: Jules Jordan Video, GirlGirl.com, Jada Stevens, Tera Patrick's Teravision, Nautica Thorn Productions