MACOMB, Illinois - Five weeks after Ron Jeremy cancelled a speaking engagement at Western Illinois University, the University Union Board is, once again, preparing to bring this ex-adult film star to Macomb.
Jeremy, known to many as the hedgehog, is scheduled to appear at 8 p.m. on January 30 in the Grand Ballroom of the University Union. The event is expected to carry the same format as the original December 5 engagement, which was cancelled due to a mix up between university staff and Jeremy's representatives.
"From what I heard from sources is he is sorry that he couldn't make it," said Chuck Somerville. "There was a little tiny mix up with the management that we went through and now we are going through another group and everything is totally set up for the 30th."
According to a press release issued by WIU, Jeremy's cancellation was due to a scheduling conflict due to his role in the filming of "Homo Erectus," which stars Talia Shire, Tom Arnold and David Carradine. The circumstances are almost ironically reflective of the subject Jeremy plans to address during his engagement in Macomb.
Since retiring from the adult film industry after appearing in more than 2,000 features, Jeremy has been traveling across the United States speaking about the regrets he now harbors for the career path he chose. Jeremy, who holds a master's degree and was once a special education teacher, is now looking to making a living in the mainstream film industry.
And while Jeremy has already appeared in major motion pictures like "Detroit Rock City," "The Boondock Saints," "Killing Zoe" and "Orgazmo," the transition between the two genres of film posed a considerable challenge to the man that was honored as one of the "50 Greatest Porn Stars of All Time" by the Adult Video News Magazine.
"His story is so unique to many people in general," said Somerville in an earlier interview with the Journal. "He wanted to get his foot in the door and become a world famous actor and did that, but has said that he regrets the avenue that he took to make his name known in every household.
"The UUB hopes that the students get that Ron Jeremy is not just a porn star. He isn't just an ex-porn star. He is a person that regrets the avenue that he chose and that is pretty much why he goes out on college tours, to educate college students, not that porn is bad, but that he regrets the avenue he chose to pursue his dream."
Somerville admits his first impression of Jeremy was through the documentary "Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy," a film in which the actor expresses regret over some of the choices he made during his career.
Jeremy is expected to begin the engagement with a short comedy routine and then will delve into a talk that will take a more serious approach to the larger issues that have affected his career path and personal life. A question and answer session will follow.
Admission to the event is free, but seating is going to be limited. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and Jeremy will take the stage a half hour later. The event will be followed by a meet and greet session.
