News Anchor to Porn Star - Jim Walker Tells His Story of How He Became Dallas Steele

How does a veteran news anchor become a porn star? Jim Walker tells the story of how he became Titan exclusive Dallas Steele, debunking some myths about porn and career avenues open to men over 40.

For some 23 years Jim Walker was a television news anchor and weather person for FOX, NBC and CBS; but after a focus group determined viewers in the South Florida market he was working in didn't like him, he left television news. Where he went might surprise some; but the 44-year old Walker doesn't consider his transition to becoming a porn star a career change, rather something he wanted to cross off his bucket list: becoming a porn star. In fact, it took him some four years from leaving television to reaching the point where he went in front of the cameras again, albeit in a much different context.

EDGE spoke to Walker, who now goes by the name of Dallas Steele and is a TitanMen exclusive actor. He is enjoying this "stopover" in his life. I recently spoke with him to find out how it all happened.

From anchor to porn

EDGE: How did you go from news anchor to porn star?

Jim Walker: I was in broadcasting news for 20 years. A few websites and blogs have written that this is a career change for me. It's not, it's a stopover. It (doing porn) was something always on my bucket list and when the opportunity came along, I took it. I was working at a news station in Fort Myers and about two years into my three-year contract I was told that results from a focus groups determined that the viewers didn't like me, so I was fired. I had to stay on and train my replacement, which was difficult to do knowing you didn't have the confidence of them anymore. I moved back to Michigan to be with my partner, Kelly.

We then decided to move back to Dallas. We bought a house and I was doing personal training and bartendering on the side. At this point in my life, I knew I was done with broadcasting. The pressure to keep the ratings up was too much to handle. Your job is on the line every day. I needed something new.

In August of 2013, my partner passed away due to his addiction to Alkyl Nitrites (poppers). One night, I came home and found him dead on the floor, his body surrounded by nine empty bottles of poppers. At the time, gay marriage was not legal in Texas, so I didn't have the any rights. His family let me live in the house while it was going through foreclosure. I was on the verge of becoming homeless. A good friend suggested I do porn, so I applied to Colt and TitanMen and within a few weeks they had both called me for an audition. In 2015, TitanMen offered me a contract and it has been an amazing journey.

EDGE: How did you come up with your porn name?

Jim Walker: I surveyed my Facebook friends and followers for ideas. Once I received all their suggestions, I narrowed it down to ten names. After, 1200 voted and Dallas Steele won. There are two others in the industry with the last name Steele. One is Rocco Steele, who I don't mind getting confused for, especially because he has a very impressive tool.

Why Titan?

EDGE: Why did you choose to work with TitanMen?

Jim Walker: I was really honored that Colt had called me. Kelly, my late partner, always wanted to sleep with a Colt man and he did have his dream come true. For me, Titan was a really amazing experience from the start. They really treated me well during my audition trip and the atmosphere was and still is very professional. They are a class act in everything they do.

EDGE: What was it like filming your first sex scene?

Jim Walker: It was surreal and exciting! I was already used to the lights and cameras. My first scene was with Dirk Caber. We had instant chemistry. He really carried me through the day. I still seek out his on-the-job advice when I need it. He is also the only actor that I have also hooked up with off screen.

EDGE: When do you know when you don't have chemistry with your screen partner?

Jim Walker: I will say this, there are no ugly men at Titan. I am amazed that I made it this far. Obviously, there has to be some physical attraction. Usually, you and your screen partner get to know each other before the shoot. I like to try and develop a friendship with them. Most times, you meet the night before have dinner together and then maybe breakfast the next day. I want to get into their head and create feelings for each other, like we could be boyfriends. It's important to try and create some kind of bond or the viewers will see there is no chemistry.

EDGE: What does your current partner think of your job?

Jim Walker: He is supportive. When I left for a shoot, it is like I am going on a business trip. He is not the jealous type. He is probably more jealous that he is not doing my job. He is my biggest fan.

Biggest misconception

EDGE: What is the biggest misconception someone might have about the gay porn industry?

Jim Walker: I would say there are three. I think most people think that the cast and crew is doing drugs or drinking alcohol. At least on the Titan set, no one is doing either; nor have I witnessed anyone doing it. There are no orgies with the cast and crews after a shoot. Cast and crew are kept separate and are not allowed to interact with each other. The crew is not allowed to touch an actor, even if it is to only to demonstrate a move or set-up the next scene. We are not all dumb jocks who have hit rock bottom and are desperate for a paycheck. Most of all the TitanMen have degrees, and have all had successful careers before doing porn. I would like to give a shout out to Boston, MA for giving the porn industry Dirk Caber and Jesse Jackman.

EDGE: You have an amazing body. What is your workout routine like?

b>Jim Walker: I was a fat kid growing up. In high school, I was 5'10 and 240lbs. I was being bullied and teased because of my weight, so dropped out of high school in my junior year and got my GED. At that time, I changed my diet and started walking which then turn into running. It was until much later that I started lifting weights. I like to mix it up at the gym and enjoy a lot of outdoor activities.

EDGE: What do your family and friends think of you for becoming a porn star?

Jim Walker: My dad was kind of curious about it. Actually, the first gay porn video that I watched, I found in an old trunk of his that was filled with videos and magazines. Up until the day he passed away, my dad was very supportive. I think he was a little more than ok with it. My mom will ask questions, but we don't really discuss it. As for friends, you get a lot of 'instant' friends when you are doing porn that come and go, but I still have a lot of good friends that are very supportive. I don't have any shame in what I do and I am proud of it. We need to pull porn out of the shadows, it shouldn't be taboo anymore. It is a multi-billion dollar business, so someone out there is watching it.

EDGE: What is next for Dallas Steele aka Jim Walker?

Jim Walker: Porn is not my career. It is just my stop over. Porn is youth-driven industry and I am entering the mid-forties. I will enjoy it for as long as it last. Most likely, I will do it for another two to three years and then move on. I would love to find a LGBT company that I could work for. I am more than just a porn star and a news anchor.