Richard Livert, later known as Levi Richards, was born on July 31, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York, to parents who would have been proud of the multifaceted individual he would become.
Growing up, Richard was part of his high school's debating group and worked various part-time jobs, including as a busboy, to hone his skills and gain valuable experience.
At the tender age of 18, Richard left home to pursue his higher education at Southern Illinois University, where he would lay the foundation for his future endeavors.
Upon returning to New York, Richard landed a job managing Rita Dimitri's La Chansonette supper club in Manhattan, where he would meet Lee Strasberg, a renowned figure in the world of acting.
Strasberg's encouragement would propel Richard into the world of acting, and he would go on to join theater groups such as the Venice Free Theater, where he would hone his craft and make a name for himself in the competitive world of theater.
In his quest for fame and fortune, Richard made the bold decision to leave New York and relocate to Los Angeles, California, where he would continue to pursue his passion for acting.
To supplement his income, Richard took up nude modeling, a decision that would lead him down a path that would ultimately shape the course of his life.
As his career progressed, Richard transitioned into 8mm softcore loops and eventually hardcore features, working with notable directors such as Jack Genero.
After a stint in Los Angeles, Richard returned to New York in 1971, where he would attempt to leave his adult film career behind and pursue more conventional means of making a living.
Richard's post-porn career was marked by a series of unconventional jobs, including selling jeans, jewelry, t-shirts, and cosmetics, as well as working in restaurants, moving furniture, and taking care of animals.
Despite his varied career path, Richard would eventually return to the adult film industry, working with notable East Coast directors such as Gerard Damiano, Radley Metzger, Joseph W. Sarno, Eduardo Cemano, and Doris Wishman.
In 1975, Richard got married, but his wife was unimpressed with his pornographic endeavors, leading him to make the difficult decision to quit the adult film industry altogether.
Richard would go on to pursue a career in real estate, obtaining a Professional Certificate in Real Estate from New York University and becoming a member of the Real Estate Board of New York.
Throughout his real estate career, Richard would work for various companies, including the Michael A. Burak Company, the Winick Realty Group, and Goldstein Realty Commercial, before joining Douglas Elliman as a real estate broker.
Tragically, Richard's life would come to an abrupt end on October 6, 2015, when he committed suicide at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy that would be remembered for years to come.
