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Shaun Costello
Director

Shaun Costello

1 Jan 1944Born
5 Jul 2023Died
79Age at death
79Credits

Biography

Shaun Costello began directing for "loops" (10-minute scenes shown in coin-operated viewers in adult theaters) in NYC in the early 1970s, and soon was directing (and acting in) full porn movies and other grindhouse "roughies" shown in Times Square's 42nd Street adult theaters. Costello took work where he could get it, often working for the Mob, who owned many adult theaters and distribution, and working under different aliases for different theaters so that no one (at the time) knew that he was his own competition.

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Eventually moving on to a mainstream documentary career, Costello written and directed grindhouse movies - rough and violent and reflecting of their times - have seen a resurgence as the 2010's have seen these movies be remastered and re-released and often seen for the first time in decades. Anyone interested in the history of American porn or grindhouse/exploitation theater of the late 1960s and 1970s will likely have encountered Shaun Costello's work, often unknowingly due to his prolific use of aliases.

Known for

Filmography

  1. 1990Writing for TimeFilm: Director
  2. 1990EnraptureFilm: Cigar Shop Man
  3. 1983Hot DreamsFilm: Director, Writer
  4. 1983Heaven's TouchFilm: Director, Writer
  5. 1982Double PleasureFilm: (archive footage)
  6. 1982Mistress ElectraFilm: Narrator (voice) (uncredited), Director, Writer
  7. 1981Pandora's MirrorFilm: Waiter / Man in Audition Line, Director, Writer
  8. 1981Prisoner of PleasureFilm: Director, Writer
  9. 1981BeautyFilm: Director, Writer
  10. 1980Dracula ExoticaFilm: Director, Writer
  11. 1980Afternoon DelightsFilm: Director, Screenplay
  12. 1980New York Construction Co.Film: Writer, Director
  13. 1979More Than SistersFilm: Martin Randall, Director, Screenplay
  14. 1979SunnyFilm: Writer, Director
  15. 1979The Two Lives of JenniferFilm: Bob O'Connor, Director, Writer
  16. 1978Fiona on FireFilm: Director
  17. 1978Slave Of PleasureFilm: Richard Anselm / Masked Guy, Screenplay, Director
  18. 1978A Taste of BetteFilm: S.R.
  19. 1978Daughters of DisciplineFilm: Bruno, Director, Writer
  20. 1977The Fire in FrancescaFilm: Troy Winston, Director
  21. 1977Joy of HumiliationFilm: Biker with Cigarette
  22. 1977Cherry HustlersFilm: Company Investigator
  23. 1977Betrayed TeensFilm: Bobby, Director, Writer
  24. 1977Schoolgirl's ReunionFilm: Football Announcer (voice) / Autograph Seeker / Guy at Party, Writer, Director
  25. 1977Dirty SusanFilm: Bob Gilroy, Director
  26. 1976The Dark Side of DanielleFilm: Bruce / Betty's Master, Writer, Director
  27. 1976Tortured WomanFilm: El Gringo, Director
  28. 1976Water PowerFilm: Police Station Cop / Man at Car Window, Director, Writer
  29. 1976That Lady from RioFilm: Sex Slave (uncredited), Director, Writer
  30. 1976French SchoolgirlsFilm
  31. 1976The Fury in AliceFilm: Chip Carson, Director, Writer
  32. 1976Girl Scout CookiesFilm: Mr. O'Malley, Director
  33. 1976Dominatrix Without MercyFilm: Director, Writer
  34. 1976The Story of EloiseFilm: Edgar Frank, Writer, Director
  35. 1976Sensuous Fly GirlsFilm: Man in Stable, Director, Writer
  36. 1976Midnight DesiresFilm: Chauffeur / Highwayman (uncredited), Screenplay, Director
  37. 1976The Untamed VixensFilm: Jerry, Director, Writer
  38. 1976Venture Into the BizzareFilm: Closing Narration (voice)
  39. 1976The Summer of SuzanneFilm: Chip, Writer, Director
  40. 1976She's No AngelFilm: Dr. Warren Counter, Director
  41. 1976The Travails of JuneFilm: Willy, Director, Writer
  42. 1975Cheryl's SurrenderFilm: Ray Lavagis, Director, Writer
  43. 1975Kathy's Graduation PresentFilm: Randy, Writer, Director
  44. 1975China DollFilm: Bert, Director, Writer
  45. 1975Baby OilFilm: Orgy Guy with Two Girls
  46. 1975Gladys and Her All Girl BandFilm: Lola, Writer, Director
  47. 1975Lisa Meets Mr. BigFilm: Minister, Writer, Director
  48. 1975The Passions of CarolFilm: The Spirits, Screenplay, Director
  49. 1975Two SenoritasFilm: Guy with Glasses, Director, Writer
  50. 1975Private PracticeFilm: Mr. Barnes
  51. 1975The School for Sexual ArtsFilm: Guy in Final Class, Director
  52. 1975Sin of LustFilm: Bob Hartman, Writer, Director
  53. 1975Hotel HookerFilm: Pete, Director, Writer
  54. 1975The JoyridersFilm: Writer, Director
  55. 1974The Love BusFilm: George, Director, Writer
  56. 1974Come Fly with UsFilm: Jay Basby, Director, Writer
  57. 1974Teenage NursesFilm: Joe / TV Reporter, Director, Screenplay
  58. 1974Lady on the CouchFilm: Poker Buddy (uncredited), Director, Writer
  59. 1974Pen PalsFilm: Good Samaritan / Man in Black, Director, Writer
  60. 1974Lip ServiceFilm: Hired Guy, Director, Writer
  61. 1973Maxines' Dating ServiceFilm: Director
  62. 1973The Tycoon's DaughterFilm: Newspaper Reader / Radio Newscaster, Director
  63. 1973Go Fly a KiteFilm: John Spaulding, Writer, Director
  64. 1973Honeymoon SuiteFilm: Jamie, Writer, Director
  65. 1973Ozark Sex FiendFilm: Newscaster / Homer Heaply, Writer, Director
  66. 1973Sweet SexteenFilm: Jerry, Director, Writer
  67. 1973Come and Be PurifiedFilm: Brother Francis, Director
  68. 1973Teachers and CreamFilm: Mr. Boynton, Writer, Director
  69. 1973Tina Makes a DealFilm: Customs Agent, Director, Writer
  70. 1973Joe Rock SuperstarFilm: Rock the Guitarist / Voice of Walter Cockite, Director
  71. 1973Guess Who's ComingFilm: Peter
  72. 1973Forced EntryFilm: David, Director, Writer
  73. 1972Sexual Customs in ScandinaviaFilm: Mr. Thorens
  74. 1972Selling ItFilm: (archive footage)
  75. 1972Hell's KittenFilm: Director
  76. 1971Love in the RainFilm: Shaun (uncredited)
  77. 1971The Magical RingFilm: First Fantasy Lover
  78. 1971FeelFilm
  79. 1971Sensuous VixensFilm: Photo Model with Mustache, Director, Writer

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.