Man Found Dead in WeHo Car is Gay Playgirl Model Dirk Shafer

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RumorFix, a celebrity gossip website, has identified the man found dead in a car on Laurel Avenue Thursday as former Playgirl centerfold Dirk Shafer.

Dirk Shafer
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.

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DeDe
9 years ago

So many were and are so jealous of Dirk that they will say terrible things to make their little selves feel better.

celeste cote
3 years ago
Reply to  DeDe

sadly the truth rip

Michael Andrew Zuniga
9 years ago

Michael S. — I agree. Would like to know more details. Rest in peace, Dirk.

Brandon Mclean
9 years ago

Crazy . I was just watching Circuit last Friday with my BF.

Michael S.
Michael S.
9 years ago

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”.

JC
JC
9 years ago

BC. You’re comments are disgusting and caused a lot of pain for his friends and even family members who read this.

Ed Davis
9 years ago

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!

jimmypalmieri
jimmypalmieri
9 years ago

so uncalled for BC

Mitchell Mitch
9 years ago

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.

LTT
LTT
9 years ago

🙁

Steve
Steve
9 years ago

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…

BC
BC
9 years ago

Also, he was found in the passenger seat with his pants pulled halfway down his body…

Todd Bianco
9 years ago

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.