Nina Hartley is one of the most recognized and beloved erotic actresses in the history of the industry, not only has she starred in some ground breaking films, she has been a vocal industry activist fighting for First Amendment rights, health awareness, along with creating awareness and sharing her unique views on feminist, hedonistic and responsible pornography. Hartley is famous for three things: First, are the 650 films she starred in which have won her the most AVN Awards of any star in history, (along with being one of the first starlets to crossover to "real acting" with a part in Boogie Nights). Secondly, she is known within the adult film industry for her spectacular bubble butt, and her amazing anal, oral and lesbian scenes. Lastly is her passionate feminism and fierce anticensorship campaign, she has been taking on anti-pornography feminists for over 20 years.

Nina grew up in Berkeley, California the daughter of atheist Jewish hippies who converted to Buddhists when she was young. As a youth, she was very shy socially, though her mind was full of sexual thoughts. She developed an interest in theater and performing arts in high school, and did not go onstage much, instead spending most of her time in the costume department of the high school. One of her early “claims to fame” was that she made Timothy Hutton's ("Ordinary People") toga for his role as the God Bacchus in Euripides' classic, "The Bacchae". She did not date too much in her early teens, and did not lose her virginity until she was 18. As a senior in senior in high school, she and a few of her friends snuck into an adult movie theater and this is where she saw her first porn and was transfixed from that moment on. At the end of the movie, she knew she wanted to somehow be involved in performing in the sex industry. Hartley then went on to attend San Francisco State University's undergraduate nursing school (she graduated summa cum laude).

In 1983, her sophomore year of nursing school, started working in the adult entertainment industry by nude dancing in strip clubs. This was her way to further explore her fascination with performing in the industry as well as live out fantasies, meet other bisexual women and a fun way to earn money to help pay her way in college. It really never was about the money as much as it was about the sexual experience. She wanted to live a sexually free life, and to have sex without having to be "in love".

Shortly thereafter, in 1984, she starred in her first adult film. Her first husband Dave had a chance encounter with legendary producer and adult film actress Juliet Anderson (better known as Aunt Peg) at a local supermarket. After meeting with the gorgeous blue eyed blonde, Juliet cast Nina in her debut performance in a film entitled “Educating Nina” with costars Billy Dee and Karen Summers, which ended up being a surprisingly huge hit. Since then she has gone on to feature in over 650 adult films, including a cross-over into mainstream Hollywood with an appearance in the 1997 film Boogie Nights in which she played William H. Macy's serially unfaithful wife.

When her career began, the video evolution was beginning to take over so she never starred in one of the legendary big movies like the very first one she snuck into, titled “Autobiography Of The Flea”. She did, however, work with several of the men who starred in this movie including legends on their own John Leslie, Paul Thomas and Jamie Gillis. The other person who starred in this film was the original superstar of Porn John Holmes, but sadly she never got to work with the behemoth cocked stud. Given her legendary oral skills, seeing them together would have been a classic.

Over the course of the next 20 years Nina Hartley has been an advocate for the adult film industry's right to exist. Nina is one of the most articulate and educated people in the industry and during her career she has often been called upon by news programs and talk shows to defend the right of pornographies existence and many other pertinent industry related topics. Her most notable appearance was on the Oprah Winfrey show with fellow actress Ona Zee. The two refused to back down and were defiant in their support of the business despite the harsh scrutiny they endured from the mostly female audience. Both these ladies stood their ground and were relentless and outspoken in their support, and also spoke strongly out against illegal drugs in the industry.

Her career has gone beyond on screen performances. She is one of the most creative and gifted people in the industry. She has directed several movies and in 1996 created an ongoing educational series for Adam and Eve, “Guide to...” films covering the entire sexual spectrum, from basic sexual intercourse and foreplay, to anal intercourse and bondage. That same year, she was inducted into the X-Rated Critics Organization's Hall of Fame in 1996. Nina is openly bisexual in her private life, and is now on her second married but she seems to have found true love! She is married in a threesome relationship with husband Ernest Green (an industry behind the scenes veteran) and "wife" Bobby Lilly who she has been with for over 20 years.

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