Paul Barresi’s life reads like a classic Hollywood thriller—dark, perilous, and thoroughly sordid. Raised in Lynn, Massachusetts, in an Italian American community outside of Boston, Barresi endured a physically abusive father and a mother who sought solace from other men. His escape was the cinema where Hollywood’s bright lights ignited his ambition to become an actor. Entering his high school years, Barresi transformed his body into a well-muscled specimen After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force in 1972, he became one of the most sought-after erotic film stars of the 1970s.

The taboo world of sex and scorn equipped Barresi for his greatest role: Fixer for Hollywood A-listers ensnared in scandals, ofttimes sexual. Over three decades, he navigated Hollywood’s harsh realities, from casting couch scams to blackmail. Barresi’s handiwork helped the likes of Michael Jackson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise, Eddie Murphy, and Sylvester Stallone.

Throughout his career, Barresi witnessed the highs and lows of fame. Despite the darkness that often surrounded his work, he maintained a sense of purpose, driven by his own experiences of overcoming adversity and a desire to protect others from the pitfalls of Tinseltown. His work as a fixer not only involved damage control but also understanding the human side of scandal and the need for compassion in the face of public scrutiny.