Porky’s star Tony Ganios passed away at the age of 64 after emergency surgery for a spinal cord infection. The surgery was successful at first, but he later went into dialysis and experienced cardiac arrest, according to his fiancée, Amanda.
Ganios was best known for his role as Meat in the 1981 cult classic “Porky’s,” which debuted at No. 1 at the box office and remained there for eight consecutive weeks, grossing over $100 million domestically despite mixed critical reviews and a budget of $5 million.
The success of “Porky’s” paved the way for similar films in the raunchy comedy genre, such as “Revenge of the Nerds,” “Police Academy,” and “Bachelor Party.”
Director Bob Clark, inspired by his own teenage experiences, created a film that captured the truth about being a teenage boy. The production of “Porky’s” began with Clark dictating the story to co-writer Roger Swaybill while recovering from mononucleosis.
Clark’s vision for “Porky’s” was to depict teenage life authentically, leading to the film’s success at the box office and solidifying his reputation as a director. This success allowed him to pursue his next project, “A Christmas Story,” which became a holiday classic despite initial doubts about its potential for success.
“A Christmas Story,” loosely based on Jean Shepherd’s childhood experiences, was a passion project for Clark and Shepherd for over a decade before MGM agreed to produce it. The film’s unexpected success at the box office further cemented Clark’s legacy as a talented filmmaker.
With an estimated budget of $3.3 million, “A Christmas Story” went on to gross over $20 million globally, defying early expectations and becoming a beloved holiday favorite.
