Derek Hay
Derek Hay (born c. 1964), known professionally as Ben English, is a British former pornographic actor and talent agent who founded the adult modeling agency LA Direct Models.[1] Hay performed in more than 800 adult films during his acting career before establishing LA Direct Models, which represented numerous performers in the industry.[1] The agency faced multiple lawsuits alleging sexual abuse, coercion, and labor violations by Hay and associates, culminating in his guilty plea in May 2024 to conspiracy to commit pandering and perjury related to falsifying employment records and pressuring performers into uncontracted acts.[2][1] In July 2024, during sentencing, affected performers provided emotional impact statements detailing exploitation, leading to probation and fines for Hay.[2] In December 2024, five former clients prevailed in a civil labor case against him, securing damages for violations including unauthorized commissions and contract manipulations.[1]Early Life
Birth and Upbringing
Derek Andrew Hay was born on 12 August 1964 in England, United Kingdom.[3][4] He is a British national who later adopted the stage name Ben English for his professional work in the adult entertainment industry.[4] Publicly available details on his family background, childhood, or early education remain scarce, with sources primarily focusing on his later career transitions rather than formative years.[3] Prior to entering the adult industry, Hay worked as a stage manager, though specifics of this period or its relation to his upbringing are not documented in reliable biographical accounts.[5]Entry into Adult Industry
Derek Hay, known professionally as Ben English, initially entered the adult entertainment industry in 1995 through his relationship with adult model and feature dancer Tawny Peaks, whom he began dating that year. Accompanying her to photo shoots for Score magazine, primarily in London and later San Francisco, Hay was repeatedly encouraged by photographers to participate actively rather than observe. Though initially reluctant, he began performing in scenes during these sessions, marking his transition from bystander to participant.[6] Hay's early performances, starting in the late 1990s, focused on group and feature work with Score productions, where he completed around 60 scenes, often alongside girlfriend Jordan Lee. These initial efforts were sporadic and tied to his travels and relationships within the modeling circuit, rather than a structured career entry. By approximately 1997, he had committed more fully to on-camera work, leveraging his British background and physical presence in a niche market for male performers.[6][7] Prior to this involvement, Hay had pursued a career in the music industry during the mid-1980s, which provided no direct pathway into adult work but informed his later entrepreneurial approach. His relocation to Los Angeles in 2001 solidified his presence in the U.S. adult film scene, shifting from occasional shoots to more consistent professional engagements.[8][6]Career as Performer
Professional Debut and Filmography
Derek Hay, using the stage name Ben English, entered the adult film industry in 1995 after starting a relationship with performer Tawny Peaks and accompanying her to shoots, where he began participating in scenes.[6][9] Prior to this, Hay had worked in the music industry, including as a stage manager for acts like The Rolling Stones.[10] English's performing career extended into the late 2000s, during which he appeared in over 800 adult films across various production companies.[11] Early credited works include 18 and Confused 7 (2002) from Heatwave, focusing on younger performers.[12] His filmography encompassed gonzo, all-sex, and narrative features, with later notable roles in parodies such as Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge (2008), Superman XXX: A Porn Parody (2011) as General Zod, and Official Silence of the Lambs Parody (2011) as Dr. Hannibal Lecter.[13][14] English also directed some productions starting around 2002, though his primary output was as a performer.[15]Notable Roles and Performances
Performing under the stage name Ben English, Derek Hay appeared in over 1,300 adult film scenes from 2003 onward, spanning gonzo, feature, and parody genres.[15] His performances often emphasized dominant roles in hardcore scenes, contributing to his reputation as a prolific male performer in the industry.[16] A standout role came in the 2008 high-budget feature Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge, a sequel to the award-winning Pirates, where English portrayed a supporting pirate character amid action-adventure plotlines and explicit sequences involving stars like Jesse Jane and Evan Stone.[17] This performance garnered the 2009 AVN Award for Best Supporting Actor, highlighting his acting in narrative-driven adult cinema.[18] English also took lead parody roles, including Dr. Hannibal Lecter in Official Silence of the Lambs Parody (2011) and General Zod in Superman XXX: A Porn Parody (2011), blending scripted dialogue with sexual content in mainstream film homages.[4]Business Ventures
Founding LA Direct Models
Derek Hay founded LA Direct Models in 2000 through a partnership with a friend, establishing the agency initially as London-based Direct Models to represent performers in the adult entertainment industry.[19] The venture began by booking adult work primarily in the United Kingdom and Europe, drawing on Hay's experience as a performer under the stage name Ben English, in which he appeared in hundreds of films.[11] Approximately one year later, Hay expanded operations by launching the Los Angeles branch of LA Direct Models, positioning it as the first international agency to represent adult stars for bookings in the United States.[19] The agency's early model focused on talent management, negotiating contracts and securing scene bookings for clients, which differentiated it from domestic U.S. agencies at the time by facilitating cross-Atlantic opportunities.[19] Hay served as the chief executive officer, leveraging his industry connections to build a roster that would grow significantly in subsequent years. This founding laid the groundwork for LA Direct Models' relocation to Los Angeles and its emergence as a major player in global adult talent representation.[20]Agency Operations and Industry Impact
LA Direct Models, founded by Derek Hay in 2000, functions as a licensed talent agency representing performers in the adult entertainment industry, primarily by securing bookings for explicit film scenes with production companies and managing related career logistics.[21] The agency operates on a commission-based model, typically retaining 15% of performers' gross earnings from represented work, as stipulated in standard contracts. Initially headquartered in London before relocating to Los Angeles and eventually Las Vegas, it holds talent agency licenses in Nevada (license 446) and Florida (TA1427), enabling operations across U.S. jurisdictions.[22] The agency's roster has included prominent female performers such as Alexis Texas, Lexi Belle, Mia Malkova, Tori Black, and Adriana Chechik, positioning it as a gateway for aspiring talent to high-profile productions.[22] Hay, as owner and CEO, oversaw negotiations for scene rates—often ranging from $800 to $2,000 per appearance for established actresses—and emphasized performer reliability, including punctuality and preparation, to maintain strong relationships with studios.[21] [23] In terms of industry impact, LA Direct Models emerged as one of the dominant agencies in the $1 billion adult sector, representing a significant share of top-tier talent and influencing booking standards during its peak influence in the 2000s and 2010s.[21] Hay's leadership in the Licensed Adult Talent Agency Trade Association (LATATA) advanced regulatory efforts to license agents and curb unlicensed operations, fostering greater professionalism and accountability among agencies while advocating for performer protections against exploitative practices by smaller, unregulated entities.[21] This role helped standardize commission structures and contract terms, reducing variability in talent representation and enabling more efficient matching of performers to productions.Awards and Recognition
AVN and XRCO Honors
Derek Hay, performing under the stage name Ben English, earned recognition from the Adult Video News (AVN) and X-Rated Critics Organization (XRCO) primarily for his on-screen performances in the adult film industry. These honors reflect his early career contributions as an actor before transitioning to talent representation.[24] In 2004, Ben English received the AVN Award for Best Male Newcomer, acknowledging his debut impact in the field.[25] That same year, he won the XRCO Award for Best New Stud, highlighting his standout entry among emerging male performers.[26] English later secured the 2009 AVN Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge, a high-budget adult feature that received multiple accolades.[15] In 2014, he was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame, recognizing his overall body of work as a performer and industry figure.[24]| Year | Award | Organization | Category/Film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Best Male Newcomer | AVN | N/A[25] |
| 2004 | Best New Stud | XRCO | N/A[26] |
| 2009 | Best Supporting Actor | AVN | Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge[15] |
| 2014 | Hall of Fame | AVN | Performer/Executive[24] |