Stagliano, who was a Chippendale dancer before entering porn,[1] is best known for his Buttman series of films, which are credited with sparking the "gonzo" adult film genre. These films involve highlighting the female buttocks, with actors often licking, kissing and playfully biting the female behind, not necessarily anything to do with anal sex. Stagliano has stated that a scene showing Tracey Adams` buttocks inspired him to make the Buttman series of films. The clip shows Adams on her hands and knees with her rear end stuck high in the air. "The shot only lasted a couple of seconds," says Stagliano, "but I knew then what I wanted to do." [1] Early Stagliano productions had little to no anal sex in them and were critically acclaimed for the showcasing of his buttocks fetish. Later Buttman films included numerous anal sex scenes, often featuring Stagliano himself.

In 1997, Stagliano tested positive for HIV. To date, medication has kept the virus in check. He continues to produce adult films and still acts in non-sexual roles. He is married to former porn star Tricia Devereaux (also HIV positive), with whom he has a daughter. Stagliano espouses a libertarian political philosophy, and as such is a significant financial contributor to the Cato Institute and the Reason Foundation (both libertarian think tanks).

Stagliano owns the adult video production company Evil Angel. The company distributes porn from directors such as Rocco Siffredi, Christoph Clark, John Leslie, Joey Silvera and Belladonna. Analingus shots and anal sex were a hallmark of his early films with Rocco Siffredi; these scenes often include multiple male actors.

From October 2004 through February 2008, Stagliano produced and directed a Las Vegas show called Fashionistas based on his porn film of the same name.

On April 8th, 2008 it was reported on the adult website XBIZ that John Stagliano had been charged with 8 obscenity Violations. On April 14, 2008, Stagliano launched a website, DefendOurPorn.org to post articles, news, and updates regarding the court proceedings
Stagliano`s Buttman series is notable (and somewhat unique among gonzo series) for maintaining a level of continuity and even character development between titles. Early installments featured appearances by Siffredi as "Dario", an anal-obsessed porn star Buttman tries to impress. In later episodes, the Dario facade is dropped: Rocco is Rocco. Another ongoing plotline saw Buttman trying to win the favor of fetish video producer Bruce Seven. Many Buttman productions take the form of travelogues, with frequent stops in Britain, Hungary, and Brazil.

A spin-off series of non-hardcore videos entitled Buttman at Nudes-a-Poppin features various striptease contests held at the Nudes-a-Poppin [2] outdoor nude beauty pageant as well as at strip clubs and other nudist events.

Some of Stagliano`s Buttman productions have been epic in length, such as Buda and Buttman Confidential; the latter production is a controversial work as Stagliano, as Buttman, appears to undergo an emotional collapse on camera; references to the death of Krysti Lynn (Stagliano`s real-life lover and frequent Buttman performer who died in a car crash in 1995), and allusions to HIV, not to mention a segment showing Stagliano having sex with a transsexual, have led to rumors that this tape might have been autobiographical. Stagliano`s organization has denied on his official website that Buttman Confidential is