In 1971, Culver played a supporting role in a low-budget sexploitation thriller film called Ginger. He continued to pursue stage work, landing an understudy job in 1969 in the Off-Broadway gay-themed play And Puppy Dog Tails, making his Broadway debut in 1970 in the Native American-themed production Brave and a co-starring role in the off-Broadway play Circle in the Water (also in 1970). Through one of his escorting clients, Culver landed a spot with the Wilhelmina Models modeling agency, commanding an hourly rate of US$60 ($400 in 2020 terms). He also began pursuing an acting career, appearing in summer stock theatre with the Peterborough Players. įollowing his dismissal, Culver drifted into prostitution.
He later took a job at the private Ethical Culture Fieldston School on New York City's Central Park West but was fired during his second year following an altercation in which he physically disciplined a female student (reportedly the daughter of actor Eli Wallach).
After graduation in 1965 he accepted a teaching position in Peekskill, New York. Ĭulver attended the State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity and the drama club. Casey Donovan was born John Calvin Culver in East Bloomfield, New York, growing up there with his parents and older brother Duane.
