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From Choe Cherry to Sasha Grey, 11 porn stars who rocked mainstream entertainment

Here are 11 stars who went from porn actors to make their mark as mainstream entertainers too
UPDATED MAR 16, 2022
Top 11 porn actors who marked their name in the mainstream film industry (Photo: @katiemorganxoxox, @jennahaze, @simonrex415, @perfect_angelgirl, @jamesdeen, @sunnyleone/ INSTAGRAM)
Top 11 porn actors who marked their name in the mainstream film industry (Photo: @katiemorganxoxox, @jennahaze, @simonrex415, @perfect_angelgirl, @jamesdeen, @sunnyleone/ INSTAGRAM)

The Netflix series ‘Euphoria’ came with a banging new cast that brought renewed attention on porn stars who have major potential. When pornstar Chloe Cherry acted as Faye in ‘Euphoria’, it instantly became a highlight, not just because she is a porn star but also due to her extensive acting skills.

Many porn actors have been shining in mainstream films and series from long back. In the 1970s, Linda Lovelace was one of the first prominent porn celebrities to attempt the changeover. And since then, many talented porn stars have shifted to the mainstream and surprised fans. That said, here is a list of 11 excellent porn stars who have tried their hand in mainstream films.

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Simon Rex 

Simon Rex, born on July 20, 1974, had a bumpy ride his whole life. From being a male model, MTV VJ, sitcom actor, rapper, and vine star, he tried his best to get it set. Finally, his major role in ‘Red Rocket’ gave him a big step up. Simon Rex rose to stardom as an MTV VJ before going on to feature in films such as 'What I Like About You', three 'Scary Movie' pictures, and 'National Lampoon's Pledge This!' So how did he enter the porn industry? Well in 1993, the 19-year-old Simon was cast by a photographer called Brad Posey for a nude photo. Things started from there and Simon had to push it further in the industry for money. He has appeared in pornographic films such as 'Young', 'Hard & Solo #2', 'Hot Sessions III' etc. Simon did it all to pay his rent in time but goodness, now the man is super successful and loved by fans. 



 

Chloe Cherry 

As we mentioned earlier, Chloe Cherry’s performance on 'Euphoria' definitely deserved the laud. Her eerie character Faye stole the show and earned her earn plenty of fans. Chloe, born on August 23, 1997, has featured in 172 adult films prior to 'Euphoria', with her first hardcore video coming when she was only 18 years old. Back in 2015, she moved to Miami from Lancaster, where she signed to the pornographic modeling firm Hussie Models, where Riley Reynolds handled her. Later, she relocated to Los Angeles and signed up with Spiegler Girls. Coming from a conservative family, Chloe believed her life was boring and chose the porn industry to make it spicy. During COVID times, she made use of OnlyFans and made her way until bagging her major role in Euphoria.

Georgina Spelvin (Photo: The Devil in Miss Jones/Movie)

Georgina Spelvin 

Shelley Bob Graham, aka Georgina Spelvin, was born on March 1, 1936. Based in Houston, Texas, Georgina Spelvin has worked as a dancer, porn actress, theatre technician, and mainstream actress. Georgina became famous after her classic 1973 hardcore pornographic film 'The Devil in Miss Jones'. She initially changed her name to Chele Graham and later moved on to Georgina Spelvin. She has also worked as a chorus girl singer in 'Pajama Game'. Georgina Spelvin once said, “At first, I wanted to be an opera singer but my voice wasn't good enough. My second choice was ballerina. After that, it was a series of compromises."

Gina Lynn (Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images)

Gina Lynn 

Gina Lynn is a former porn actress who now runs her own studio, called ‘Gina Lynn Productions’, with more than 20 films under her credit. Born on February 15, 1974 as Tanya Mercado, Gina hails from Puerto Rico. Her entire family later moved to New Jersey, where she grew up. Gina signed a one-year exclusive performing contract with Pleasure Productions in June 2000. She appeared as a stripper in ‘Analyze That’ in 2002. In the same year, she co-starred in the music video for ‘Superman’ alongside Eminem. Gina was elected into the AVN Hall of Fame in 2010 and was the April 2012 Penthouse Pet. She has earned more than 15 awards throughout her acting career.



 

James Deen

Bryan Matthew Sevilla, who later changed his name to James Deen, is an American porn actor and director. Born on February 7, 1986, James Deen started his acting career in the porn industry when he was 18 years old. In 2004, when he graduated from LA Caada High School, he moved in with his father and started to act in porn films. He even claimed that ever since he was in Kindergarten, he had wanted to be in the adult industry. He has over 1,400 credits under his belt and is best known for acting with older females. In 2009, at the age of 22, he was crowned "Male Performer of the Year" by AVN, making him the youngest actor to win the title.



 

Jenna Haze

Jenna Haze was born on February 22, 1982, in Fullerton, California. Jenna debuted in the porn industry on July 18, 2001, and has acted in more than 20 films. Jenna has received multiple pornographic industry awards, including the AVN Award for Best New Starlet in 2003 and the AVN Award for Female Performer of the Year in 2009. Initially, Jenna worked only with women due to her boyfriend but later proceeded to act with guys. Jenna then announced her retirement from performing via a homemade YouTube video and a press statement on February 7, 2012. Currently, she runs Jennaration X Studios in New York City.



 

Katie Morgan 

Katie Morgan, 41, was born on March 17, 1980, and currently lives in Los Angeles. Katie is best known for HBO's 'A Real Sex Xtra: Pornucopia – Going Down in the Valley', 'Katie Morgan's Sex Tips: Questions, Anyone?', and 'Katie Morgan's Porn 101'. In all three shows, she only wore a pair of heels and nothing else, which made her the talk of the time. She won the AVN Hall of Fame back in 2013. Coming from a religious family, Katie entered the porn industry in the year 2001. Her first movie ‘Ed Powers' Dirty Debutantes 197’ was a major hit thanks to the wild sex scene that she provided. Moreover, it was the first sex scene of her career. She retired from the industry in 2008 and married Jim Jackman from the set of 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno'. In 2015, Katie signed with ‘Nexxxt Level Talent’ and proceeded with her acting career. 

Puma Swede (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Puma Swede

Johanna Jussinniemi aka Puma Swede was born on September 13, 1976, in Stockholm, Sweden. Puma worked as a computer sales representative in Sweden and then as a glamour model, before finally debuting in 2005 as a porn actor. Her first hardcore porn movie, ‘School of Hardcore’, produced by AntiInnocence DVD video, was a major hit. Puma was nominated for a 2009 AVN Award for Web Starlet of the Year, as well as a 2009 XBiz Award for Web Babe/Starlet of the Year. The comedy 'The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It,' was her first major mainstream film, released in 2010. In 2014, Puma made a cameo in the third episode of 'Sons of Anarchy's seventh season. Notably, Puma is an excellent dancer who has been featured in many shows.



 

Sasha Grey

Sasha Grey, whose birth name is Marina Ann Hantzis, was born in North Highlands, California on March 14, 1988. Sasha Grey started her porn career in 2007 and has bagged more than 15 noteworthy awards. She won the AVN Award for Female Performer of the Year in 2008. Sasha Grey’s first film was the 2009 flick ‘The Girlfriend Experience’ directed by Steven Soderbergh. Later, she went on to star in independent films such as ‘Open Windows’ and ‘Smash Cut,’ a Canadian black comedy horror thriller. Grey is not just an actor but also an excellent singer and author. She was a co-founder, singer, and songwriter for the industrial band aTelecine. Moreover, she is the author of the trilogy ‘The Juliette Society.’



 

Sunny Leone

Karenjit Kaur Vohra, known by her stage name Sunny Leone, was born on May 13, 1981, in Sarnia, Canada. In 2003, Sunny signed a three-year contract with Vivid Entertainment with which she transitioned into the world of hardcore pornography. With the film 'Jism 2', she made her Bollywood debut. She has since appeared in a number of other regional and Hindi films, and hosted reality shows such as 'Splitsvilla'. Sunny is currently one of India's few celebrities who works for animal welfare and promotes women's empowerment. She also runs ‘Suncity Media’, a production company that she founded with her spouse in 2017. In 2016, she was named one of BBC's 100 most important women.

Veronica Hart (Photo: Playgirl/Movie)

Veronica Hart

Jane Esther Hamilton aka Veronica Hart hails from Nevada City, Las Vegas. Born on October 27, 1956, Veronica graduated from high school at the age of 16 and from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a degree in dramatic arts at the age of 19. She worked in England after graduation before returning to the United States and settling in New York City. From 1980 through 1982, Veronica starred in various pornographic films. Be it ‘Amanda by Night’, ‘Wanda Whips Wall Street’, ‘Roommates,’ or ‘A Scent of Heather’, her roles have always captivated fans. Additionally, she directed, edited, and produced pornographic films throughout the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. Currently, she works as a Sex Educator in China since 2014.

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