Vidkid Timo is an American actor, film writer, producer, and director of mostly, but not exclusively, adult and erotic films. Timo writes and directs his movies and has also acted in the majority of them. For inspiration, Timo draws heavily on literature, philosophy, his own admittedly abnormal psychology, film parody and, most importantly, the culture of the American South, where he was born and in which he has lived most of his life.
At age 19, he began writing dialog and plot summaries for music videos and comedic skits used in cabaret acts by his college chum, Jeff Roberson, who portrays the character of Varla Jean Merman. The pair went on to produce over 14 live shows and dozens of short films. During the late 1990s, he branched out and started producing adult films as well, at first with Rico del la Playa, then on his own. Timo has teamed up with such performers as Jim Buck, Aaron Lawrence, and Brandon Baker.
His first video production was He Knows You're Old which was a horror spoof, about a serial killer who targets elderly couples. Timo's first directorial effort was Connie Lingus's Winning Star-Search Video starring Jeff Roberson in the first of many camp drag shorts which culminated in the creation of the Varla Jean Merman character.
1980s
Most of his late 1980s films, even the comedies, have somber and philosophical undertones. Many, like The Varla Merman Story and Varla Doesn't Live Here Anymore, are said to be influenced by the early films of John Waters.
1990s
In the mid 1990s, he began working with Roberson's alter-ego Varla Jean Merman less and less when Roberson moved to New York City. During these years Timo moved to Missouri where he continued to make comedic films with students from the University of Missouri, such as The House on Haunted Hill and The Schwartz Family Christmas. In the late 1990s, Timo moved back to New Orleans and began working on adult films. He also traveled to New York City and Provincetown and resumed his work with Varla Jean Merman. Their musical short subjects include 24 Hours from Tulsa, If You Go Away, I Who Have Nothing, and Mockingbird Hill. It was at this time that Timo was approached by another videographer from New Orleans to write, co-direct, co-produce, and co-star in the erotic cult classicMardi Gras Cowboy. Timo also began producing his own independent adult films which lead to numerous nominations and critical acclaim for their creativity and refusal to follow established formulas. Timo not only appeared in most of his own films, but also performed in videos for other directors such as Shawn Gustavson, Wash West, and Aaron Lawrence.
2000s
Timo continued his occasional collaborations with Varla Jean Merman, traveling to Los Angeles to film footage for All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You. Timo also portrayed "Charles Manson Reilly" in a musical interpretation of Varla's Lookin' For Love in All the Wrong Places. Timo also traveled to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, St. Petersburg, and Moscow to film segments for his adult videos. He also flew to Amsterdam and Bangkok to assist his colleague, Aaron Lawrence. Short films are used in Varla's touring cabaret shows all over the United States. He has professed his involvement with the Varla Jean Merman comedies remains one of the most creatively satisfying endeavors of his life.
2010s
In November 2010, after being together nearly nine and a half years, Timo and his partner separated amicably. Their friendship remains strong. He lives in Chicago.
Awards and nominations
In addition to nominations for writing, directing, producing, and art direction, Vidkid Timo has also won two "best supporting actor" awards both for his role in Mardi Gras Cowboy.
