Who Were Andy Warhol's Boyfriends? A New Documentary Tells All

June 2024 · 4 minute read

In Netflix's 'The Andy Warhol Diaries' we are given a uncommon glimpse into the artist's notoriously colourful existence. Who were Andy Warhol's boyfriend? Here's what we know.

Jennifer Tisdale - Author

Andy Warhol as soon as famously stated, "The idea is not to live forever; it is to create something that will," and he did just that with his art. He additionally did that with an 807-page memoir printed posthumously, constructed from diary entries he dictated to his pal Pat Hackett from November 1976 till his loss of life in February 1987. That e book has now been tailored to a Netflix docuseries titled The Andy Warhol Diaries, a nice deal of which is fascinated with his love life. Who were Andy Warhol's boyfriends? Here's what we all know.

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Who were Andy Warhol's boyfriends?

Netflix's The Andy Warhol Diaries are the results of a decade-long look into the steadily misunderstood artist's existence via Andrew Rossi, who, in an interview with Variety, traced his interest back to the fact that he is bisexual. Andrew opened up, saying, "When I was figuring out my identity in high school, Andy Warhol was somebody who I wasn’t sure whether was out or not, or what his relationships were, but I knew that there was something that I was responding to."

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One of Andy's longest relationships was once with internal designer Jed Johnson; the couple met when Jed was delivering a telegram to Andy's home. It was once the spring of 1968, and Jed used to be 19 years-old and a recent New York City transplant. He was fresh-faced and still reeling from the differences between the large city and Sacramento, Calif., where he was once from. Andy was 30 years his senior.

Jed ended up serving to Andy round his house, doing little chores here and there. He used to be also instructing himself methods to edit movie. This would sooner or later result in Jed running on some of Andy's films. In June 1968 when Andy used to be shot by way of aspiring playwright Valerie Solanas over a perceived copyright issue, Jed moved in and helped nurse Andy back to well being.

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They stayed in combination for 12 years, and consistent with Jed's twin brother Jay Johnson, who is featured within the collection, "They really were in love." The couple purchased two canines and Jed went about decorating their home, later launching his own internal design trade. Unfortunately Andy's penchant for partying drove a wedge between him and Jay. In December 1980, they parted techniques.

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At this point, Andy met 26 year-old Paramount executive Jon Gould, who used to be also a twin. Jon was tall, blonde, and well-built, easily passing for a faculty quarterback or equivalent. In one episode of The Andy Warhol Diaries, Andy reveled in the fact that Jon made him really feel secure. "I love going out with Jon because it’s like being on a real date,” Andy said of their time together. "He’s tall and powerful and I think like he can handle me."

Regrettably, as Andy's own health scare brought him closer to Jed in his previous relationship, it would be Jon's failing health that would end their love story. In February 1984 Jon had to go to the hospital for pneumonia, though everyone knew that was coded language for AIDS. Despite an acute fear of hospitals, Andy didn't leave Jon's side for a full month.

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What was happening primarily in the gay community, and to Jon in particular, informed Andy's art at this time. He began a series of works based on Da Vinci's "The Last Supper," with references to the AIDS disaster and even Jon himself. Sadly, Jon by no means saw these art work. He went to Los Angeles where he died in September 1986 of complications on the subject of AIDS. Less than a yr later, Andy would die of cardiac arrhythmia after gallbladder surgical procedure. It's secure to assume Jon was his last dating, and as some say, his greatest love.

The Andy Warhol Diaries is these days streaming on Netflix.

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