Cocaine, Meth Contributed to Centerfold Dirk Shafer's Death

The onetime Playgirl Man of the Year died last month at age 52.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

April 30 2015 5:49 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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Drugs were at least partially responsible for the death of Dirk Shafer, a former Playgirl Man of the Year who later came out as gay and directed two critically acclaimed films.

Cocaine and methamphetamine were found in the 52-year-old's system, according to the Los Angeles Times. Shafer, who was found dead in West Hollywood March 5, also suffered from hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

After becoming Playgirl's 1992 Man of the Year, Shafer came out publicly and directed a well-received fictional documentary titled Man of the Year. In 2001 he directed the film Circuit, about the drug-infused gay circuit scene. Shafer later became a trainer to the stars.

Read The Advocate's 1995 cover story on Shafer here.