This was written by Melissa Hill, who told me of Greg’s passing. I added a few things
Rest In Peace, Greg Steel:
I’m in shock right now. My emotions are all over the place. But, I just learned, that a director from the 90’s, passed away suddenly (May 28).
He cut ties with his xxx past, so I’m taking it upon myself, to write the following:
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Greg Steel, was a director for Vivid, when we first met. He was one of the last, trained filmmakers at the time (a fact which was realized immediately upon meeting him). As is the case with many creative types, frustration can OFTEN overpower creativity… which can manifest in unhealthy ways. His movies and adult “screenplays” were award-worthy, which is what inspired me to seek him out as a director, for whom I wanted to work. He was once partners with Brad Armstrong, and together they formed “Steelhard Productions (?)” …
It was Armstrong Steel and they did a project that changed porn in a big way. It was for Wicked Pictures and it was a big budget Pirate movie called “Conquest”, starring a relatively unknown Jenna Jameson. Steel was the driving force, Armstrong was learning, Greg’s talent shone throughout the movie.
It did so well, in fact that Adam and Eve could barely keep it in stock and were desperate for a sequel, with Greg gone from porn that wasn’t likely, but what did happen is that Adam and Eve teamed up with Digital Playground and created the “Pirates” franchise, starring a relatively unknown Jesse Jane.
When Greg and Julie moved to Atlanta we became friends, good friends, Julie and I traveled together, shot together (all with Greg’s blessing) and we all hung out, but eventually with his work load we fell out of touch. I am sad to hear of his passing.
Greg is proof that if you have the talent you will transcend porn, the only other person I know of who has that level of talent and then some is Melissa Hill.
Brad Armstrong and many in porn owe a huge debt of gratitude to Greg Steel, he set a high bar He will be missed.
Julie Rage, I would love to hear from you and catch up my email is mikesouthxxx at gmail dot com.
RIP Greg
After that partnership ended, he partnered with mark spiegler (Five On One Productions)
Towards the end of his career as a xxx director, he married an actress from the industry, and he instantly became a father to her young daughter.
When life started to spiral downward, the young couple and daughter, left LA and started a brand new life together, in Atlanta. He grasped onto sobriety, became a father to a second daughter, with his wife, Julie…. and he became a mentor, and a leader, to those who worked under his supervision, first at Turner Broadcast Studios and then later at Discovery Channel… where he retired from, as Vice-President. Eventually, he and Julie separated, but they remained Best Friends, as they continued to raise their two daughters.
In 2016, Greg had contacted me through FB, wanting to let me know that he was proud of what I had been doing on LA TALK RADIO and for Co-founding AISG (Adult Industry Support Group). Unbeknownst to me, he had been following the progress of both. He had asked me to discuss an idea with him, which he had been inspired by, while listening to one of my broadcasts….
We had tentatively set up a meeting together, for the end of January 2017…. The meeting never took place. His reason???? He had fallen in love with someone new, and he was enjoying his life as a retired VP, as he traveled the country, with his brand new love! Well, of course, I was disappointed, but I was also happy that he was enjoying his life and his new love.
I hadn’t heard from him since late May, after learning that he would be taking a trip to NYC, to visit the John Lennon’s memorial (“Church” as he called it) …. so today I went to his FB account, to check in on him, and find out more about his new love….. What I found out instead, put me in shock! While in NY, after visiting “John Lennon” he died suddenly and unexpectedly, on May 28th!
Thank you for allowing me to express myself, here. And I hope that Greg isn’t too upset, with me, for sharing with all of you….
Rest In Peace Greg “Steele” I’m happy that you were able to be an inspiration to so many, before leaving this earth WAY TOO YOUNG! 
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