By Peter Berton

ENCINO, Calif. – Lexington Steele is a bona fide porn icon. Yes, of course, the man is notorious for his 11-inch erect penis, but Steele has used his … well, “steel” for more than entertainment. His popularity in the market — coupled with personal drive and no little business acumen — has opened doors for him, his co-stars and the studios with which he works.

Though he’s justifiably famous for his personal endowment and high-energy performances, there is more to Steele than what most people might expect from a porn star. A graduate of Syracuse University with a double degree in history and African-American studies, he worked as a licensed stockbroker and financial advisor before appearing in his first adult film in 1996.

In partnership with affiliate program FameDollars, Steele recently launched LexingtonSteele.com and re-launched his original signature site, LexSteele.com. YNOT took advantage of the occasion to corner the 6’2” God of Porn, only to discover the Man of Steele is an urbane, thoughtful gentleman. He talks about his stellar career as though he still can’t quite believe it all happened.

YNOT: You just re-launched your websites. Why?

Lexington Steele: I wanted to give each of the sites a separate identity. The introduction at LexingtonSteele.com features all my new media that is produced by Lexington Steele Productions and distributed by Evil Angel Video. I launched that site as a platform to feature my association with Evil Angel and FameDollars. LexSteele.com features all my Mercenary Pictures media. [Ed. note: Steele owns both Lexington Steele Productions and Mercenary Pictures.]

You’ve enjoyed a long, solid career in adult. To what do you attribute your staying power?

I attribute my staying power to a number of things — not any one thing in particular, but primarily the following: professionalism, dedication, personal fitness, key associations and partnerships.

From a performance standpoint, it is important to stay in good physical condition. As I get older, it becomes increasingly important that I remain fit. [Ed. note: Steele turned 44 in November 2013.]

From a business standpoint, I have learned to never stop cultivating my image and brand. Most importantly, I never take for granted the competitive nature of adult entertainment as a business.

What attracted you to adult in the first place?

Not too much unlike any other young man in America, I began watching adult media at 13 or so and developed an infatuation with the women and the art of pornography. As a young man, I was presented with an opportunity to do some adult modeling, and that led to a long and storied XXX career.

What was it like, doing your first-ever porn scene?

My first-ever porn scene was exciting, challenging and frightening, all at once. While I was very comfortable shooting hardcore media — I had already been doing XXX magazines at that point — shooting video presented a few new challenges.

There are so many variables that can work out for better or worse, but my first scene had a number of things that worked in my favor. The model I worked with was attractive and experienced. The director was comforting and patient. The venue was great. I could not have had a better first experience in front of the camera.

Your career has progressed phenomally since then. What were some of the high points?

There have been a number of highlights throughout my career — too many to name, but here are a few.

First, winning AVN Male Performer of the Year in 2000. It reflected the work I had put in during 1999, and I was extremely surprised upon being nominated, much less winning.

Second, winning the same award in 2003. I didn’t expect to win again, having won the award in 2000 and 2002.

My most noted high point, industry-specific, would be my induction into the AVN Hall Of Fame in 2009. That meant a lot, because it is a part of the history of adult media and I have played a distinguishable part in that.

While there are ethnic performers inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame, I remain the only ethnic inductee ever to have won a Performer of the Year Award, male or female. I have three.

What is the key to a good on-screen adult performance?

It’s actually quite simple: Conveying genuine expenditure of energy and chemistry is the key. Energy and chemistry can be an act or performance, but when they are genuine between the performers, the results are explosive. Great performers can create the necessary chemistry to create an awesome scene.

For all the men out there who wish they could match your … unique skill, what advice do you have?[b]

[B]What are the biggest misconceptions people have about you as a porn star and as a person?

I have found the biggest misconception people have about me is that I prefer interracial scenes, as opposed to all-ethnic scenes.

My personal preferences are not based on race but on size, and this has been my thing from the very beginning. I enjoy women who are curvaceous, not petite, skinny or slight. This is not based on color, as a women’s body shape is not defined by her ethnicity.

The biggest misconception has been that I prefer white women over black or Latina women. This could not be further from the truth.

What has working in porn taught you about life?

That is hard to encapsulate in only a few words, but what I have developed over my tenure in the XXX business is a keen appreciation for the phenomenal, physical strength of women.

What I do as a male performer is very challenging, but it’s not something to pat myself on the back about. What female performers are asked to do and execute on a regular basis continues to fascinate me.

What the industry has taught me is that women are the stronger gender. This is without question, in my opinion.

What are your future plans and goals?

My future plans and goals include many things, as there is a lot of living to do after my career as a performer concludes.

I plan to continue to direct and produce. That is not something I will become tired of, compared to becoming physically tired of performing that comes with age. I have two companies, Mercenary Pictures and Lexington Steele Productions, which will keep me busy for years to come, whether as a performer, director or producer.

I have launched a broadcasting career, as well. I’ve introduced my online programming directives with the shows “Size Matters Radio,” “The Lexington Steele Live Show” and my newly created all-sports talk forum, “Fourth and Goal with Lex Steele.”

In the meantime, I initiated the writing of my first book, which will be an autobiography. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild since 2008, I will continue to participate in cameo appearances in mainstream productions, as well.

Finally, is it true that, had you stayed a stockbroker, it might have cost your life?

Before I moved to Los Angeles to become an adult video performer, I was an investment advisor in New York City. I was a “Wall Street stockbroker.” This had been my career choice of five years immediately following college.

The first three years, I worked at a firm on Wall Street. My last two years, I worked at a firm located in 2 World Trade Center [one of Twin Towers that defined Manhattan’s skyline prior to September 2001].

My desk was located on the 34th floor. Had I been working there at the time of the tragedy, I would have been at my desk at the precise moment of the attacks. I arrived at work at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday.

It is true that I would have been in the building. I am unsure as to whether or not I would have made it out alive.