The openly gay La Tourneaux initially blamed his being typecast as a gay hustler for his inability to receive worthwhile roles. After the film version of The Boys in the Band was released La Tourneaux's career declined and in 1978 he was performing his one-man cabaret act in a male-porno house in Times Square. "He blamed his failure on being typecast as a hustler," says David Ragan, author of "Who's Who in Hollywood.

In 1983, La Tourneaux was arrested for assault. He was sent to Rikers Island, where he contracted AIDS. He died in 1986.