Kevin Moriarty’s Career in Pornography

Earlier today, a little before lunch, an errand took me on foot through the Arts District. I was walking down Ross with our creative director, Todd Johnson, when I espied a wiry, short fellow wearing earbuds and what I consider a tasteful fauxhawk. He was walking quickly and looked familiar.

“Kevin Moriarty!” I shouted.

The artistic director of the Dallas Theater Center spun on his heels as if he expected an assault. I introduced him to Todd. We continued our walk, the three of us, together.

Kevin did a photo shoot for our June issue, which finds its way to subscribers this week. The shoot sprang from a conversation I’d had a couple months back with Kevin at a luncheon held at the Nasher. Having grown accustomed to seeing him in sports coats, jeans, and sneakers, I asked him that day why he was wearing a tie. He told me how he’d come to appreciate the sartorial differences between New York City and Dallas, and that his wardrobe was (and is) changing. Thus the photo shoot. I asked him to do a before-and-after of sorts.

So today I thanked him and asked how he’d enjoyed being photographed.

Kevin is a very quotable, funny guy. Walking down Ross, he said, “Oh, it was probably the single most embarrassing moment of my professional career. It was just great. Before I know it, someone will be asking me to dress up like a party clown for a photo shoot. It’s like porn. You start out saying, ‘I won’t do nude scenes.’ But then you find yourself saying, ‘Well, it’s just Cinemax,’ then, ‘Okay, it’ll only be seen overseas.’ The next thing you know, you’re doing a scene with, like, two goats.”

At that point, we reached the Wyly, and Todd and I were both cracking up. I told Kevin I was happy D Magazine could put him on the slippery slope to pornography. Todd and I continued on toward One Arts. Kevin went inside the theater.

All of which I tell you because you should start looking forward to the June issue now. And, eventually, to that scene with Kevin and the two goats.