
ROBERT OPEL (1939-1979)
American Photographer + Gallerist
If you donāt his name, you likely know his bodyā¦of work.
As the āOscar Streaker,ā Opel has probably appeared in more Academy Award compilations than anyone in Hollywood. And thatās one of the least interesting parts of his life.
Iāll let the pros tell his storyā¦
The Life, Death and Legacy of Robert Opel, the Bisexual Oscar Streaker Robert Opel made history when he ran naked across the Academy Awards stage.
By Kevin Okeefe
(The Advocate)
What Became of The Oscar Streaker? After Robert Opel dashed naked across the stage in 1974, he ran for President and settled into the gay leather scene, in the orbit of Robert Mapplethorpe and Harvey Milk.
By Michael Schulman
(The New Yorker)
If you still want more (and feel a bit adventurous/naughty), Robert Opelās nephew, Robert Oppel, released Uncle Bob in 2010. Itās filled with some great archival footage, some not-so-great DIY/experimental filmmaking, and more full-frontal nudity than Iāve seen outside of a porn shop. With those caveats, I do recommend this doc.
From my pov, Robert Opel was at the intersection of SO MUCH HISTORY in the 60s (working for Reagan) and the 70s (in LA and SF).
How did I not know more about him? I dunno. But glad I do now.