Warhol Superstar Taylor Mead was born on December 31, 1924. He studied acting at the Herbert Berghof Studio and worked at the Pasadena Playhouse in his 30s. His first acting credit came in 1960 in the film The Flower Thief, which covers the beat generation scene at that time. He starred in a handful of underground art films before he met Warhol. Unlike many other Warhol superstars, Mead Frequently collaborated with other directors and filmmakers outside of The Factory. He appeared in plays by Frank O’ Hara and Charles Ludlum. He wrote the screenplay for Rudolph Burckhardt’s Tarzan in 1969 and appeared in Robert Downey Sr’s Babo 73, where he played the President.
Warhol became interested in Mead when he started reading his published diaries. Warhol was highly impressed by his writing and film roles by the time they met. Mead would go on to star in Warhol films Tarzan and Jane Regained… Sort of, Imitation of Christ, and of course Taylor Mead’s Ass. He also did some photography and editing work for Warhol. His main passion was always poetry and he continued to perform his poetry all the way up until his death. Warhol Superstar Taylor Mead passed away on May 8, 2013.
