Zebedy Colt
Encyclopedia
Edward Earle Marsh was an American actor, musician, adult film director and star. He is principally known by his stage name
Zebedy Colt.
, Marsh began his career as a child actor in Hollywood, in the late sixties he became an innovator of ‘queer cabaret’ when he recorded the early gay album “I’ll sing for you” with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
. This was the first time he used the ‘Zebedy Colt’ name. Controversial in its day, the album consisted of original gay themed compositions (credited to his real name) and songs originally meant to be sung by women (e.g. George Gershwin’s “The Man I Love”), but given a homosexual twist by being covered by a man.
In November of 1969, Marsh wrote a letter to the editor, using his 'Zebedy Colt' pseudonym, in response to a Time Magazine article published in its October 31, 1969 edition entitled "Behavior: A Discussion: Are Homosexuals Sick?", using his Stockton, New Jersey address, in which he argued that gays were then "becoming more and more a part of the mainstream."
. Dennis thought she recognized Marsh from an adult film she had been to see with her mother, and was delighted to have this confirmed when she asked him “are you Zebedy Colt".
His films as a director include the infamous The Farmer's Daughter (1973 film) (which starred a young Spalding Gray
), the sadistic The Devil Inside Her (which was shot at Marsh’s home in Lambertville, New Jersey), Unwilling Lovers and Terri's Revenge. As an actor in adult films, he starred in such films as Barbara Broadcast, Gerard Damiano
's The Story of Joanna, Manhold, a 3D
pornographic film and the Death Wish
pornographic rip-off Sex Wish. His Broadway acting work included appearing as Anthony Newley
’s understudy in The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd as well as performances in The Royal Family, Dog at the Top of the Stairs and an award winning 1976 production of Tom Stoppard
’s Travesties
.
There is one uncredited film entry that was told anecdotally in his Las Vegas home 1 year before his death. He was one of the children in the forest scene sitting on the ground in the Robinhood film with Errol Flynn.
Marsh retired from adult films in the early 1980s, due to concerns over the criminal element (citing the murder of Dutch businessman Navred Reef who directed him in the film ‘Sharon’) as well as the drop in quality due to the change from film to video. He spent his final years in Las Vegas
, entertaining friends and neighbors with scrapbooks that documented his long career.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Zebedy Colt.
Early years
Born in CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Marsh began his career as a child actor in Hollywood, in the late sixties he became an innovator of ‘queer cabaret’ when he recorded the early gay album “I’ll sing for you” with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
. This was the first time he used the ‘Zebedy Colt’ name. Controversial in its day, the album consisted of original gay themed compositions (credited to his real name) and songs originally meant to be sung by women (e.g. George Gershwin’s “The Man I Love”), but given a homosexual twist by being covered by a man.
In November of 1969, Marsh wrote a letter to the editor, using his 'Zebedy Colt' pseudonym, in response to a Time Magazine article published in its October 31, 1969 edition entitled "Behavior: A Discussion: Are Homosexuals Sick?", using his Stockton, New Jersey address, in which he argued that gays were then "becoming more and more a part of the mainstream."
Career
Marsh entered the pornographic film world in his middle-age, primarily as a way of financially supporting himself. He choose to resurrect the ‘Zebedy Colt’ name from his I’ll Sing for You album for his porn directing/acting work both to conceal his true identity and as a way of separating this from his Broadway work. On one occasion however Marsh’s double life was uncovered when the Broadway company he was with went to see The Story of Joanna, and were surprised to see their co-star playing a bi-sexual butler, Marsh later humorously recalled one of them telling him “Darling, you can be my butler anytime”. A similar situation occurred when Marsh was appearing in an off-Broadway play with Sandy DennisSandy Dennis
Sandra Dale “Sandy” Dennis was an American theater and film actress. In 1966, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.-Early life:...
. Dennis thought she recognized Marsh from an adult film she had been to see with her mother, and was delighted to have this confirmed when she asked him “are you Zebedy Colt".
His films as a director include the infamous The Farmer's Daughter (1973 film) (which starred a young Spalding Gray
Spalding Gray
Spalding Rockwell Gray was an American actor, playwright, screenwriter, performance artist and monologuist...
), the sadistic The Devil Inside Her (which was shot at Marsh’s home in Lambertville, New Jersey), Unwilling Lovers and Terri's Revenge. As an actor in adult films, he starred in such films as Barbara Broadcast, Gerard Damiano
Gerard Damiano
Gerard Damiano was an American director of adult films and producer, writer and director of the 1972 cult classic Deep Throat .-Biography:...
's The Story of Joanna, Manhold, a 3D
3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
pornographic film and the Death Wish
Death Wish (film)
Death Wish is a 1974 crime thriller film loosely based on the novel Death Wish by Brian Garfield. The film was directed by Michael Winner and stars Charles Bronson as Paul Kersey, a man who becomes a vigilante after his wife is murdered and his daughter is sexually assaulted by muggers.The film was...
pornographic rip-off Sex Wish. His Broadway acting work included appearing as Anthony Newley
Anthony Newley
Anthony George Newley was an English actor, singer and songwriter. He enjoyed success as a performer in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.-Early life:...
’s understudy in The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd as well as performances in The Royal Family, Dog at the Top of the Stairs and an award winning 1976 production of Tom Stoppard
Tom Stoppard
Sir Tom Stoppard OM, CBE, FRSL is a British playwright, knighted in 1997. He has written prolifically for TV, radio, film and stage, finding prominence with plays such as Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Professional Foul, The Real Thing, and Rosencrantz and...
’s Travesties
Travesties
Travesties is a play by Tom Stoppard.The play centres on the figure of Henry Carr, an elderly man who reminisces about Zürich in 1917 during the First World War, and his interactions with James Joyce when he was writing Ulysses, Tristan Tzara during the rise of Dada, and Lenin leading up to the...
.
There is one uncredited film entry that was told anecdotally in his Las Vegas home 1 year before his death. He was one of the children in the forest scene sitting on the ground in the Robinhood film with Errol Flynn.
Marsh retired from adult films in the early 1980s, due to concerns over the criminal element (citing the murder of Dutch businessman Navred Reef who directed him in the film ‘Sharon’) as well as the drop in quality due to the change from film to video. He spent his final years in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, entertaining friends and neighbors with scrapbooks that documented his long career.