RumorFix, a celebrity gossip website, has identified the man found dead in a car on Laurel Avenue Thursday as former Playgirl centerfold Dirk Shafer.
According to the website, Shafer appeared to have died of a heart attack. He was 52.
Shafer was named Playgirl’s “Man of the Year” in 1992. Shafer directed and starred in a 1995 film called “Man of the Year” in which he gave a fictionalized account of his life as a gay man under pressure to deny his homosexuality.
Shafer made another film, “Circuit,” a look at the gay circuit party world, that won best film at the 2001 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. In recent years he has worked as a fitness trainer.
While the Sheriff’s Station confirmed that Shafer’s body was found at 2 p.m., a WEHOville reader with connections to the station said it actually was discovered at 11:45 a.m. yesterday in a Honda Civic sports coupe. The car was parked at 1350 Laurel between Fountain and Sunset.
Friends of Shafer, a West Hollywood residents, mourned his passing on posts today on his Facebook page.
So many were and are so jealous of Dirk that they will say terrible things to make their little selves feel better.
sadly the truth rip
Michael S. — I agree. Would like to know more details. Rest in peace, Dirk.
Crazy . I was just watching Circuit last Friday with my BF.
I for one, would like to know the details. Did he just have a heart attack? Were drugs involved? Was there another person involved? Was a crime committed?
Dead in a car at 52 of a heart attack for a man in supposed excellent physical shape is a bit odd…some details would be welcome.
Also, he seemed like a nice fellow, but not sure how he was an integral part of “gay history”.
BC. You’re comments are disgusting and caused a lot of pain for his friends and even family members who read this.
Man of the Year and Circuit were both good entertainment. Not Oscar material but both provided some easy watching and dare I say insight into Gay scene. Rest In Peace!
so uncalled for BC
I agree did BC need to make such an unneccesary statement. The man is dead, he is a part of gay history and chronicled worth circuit what do many of us have experienced. So rather then be rude lets celebrate the nan, his life and accomplishments.
🙁
I can’t even imagine the terror of having a heart attack in your car on a public street and not being able to somehow call for help. Let’s think about what that would be like before we start trying to get the salacious details…
Also, he was found in the passenger seat with his pants pulled halfway down his body…
Very sad. I used to see him at Gold’s Hollywood on a regular basis — as recently as just a few days ago. He always looked very healthy and in-shape. It will be interesting to learn what happened, if that information is ever shared by the Sheriffs. My condolences to his friends and family.