Nina Hartley
Encyclopedia
Nina Hartley is an American
pornographic actress, pornographic film director
, sex educator, feminist, and author.
to a Lutheran father and a Jewish
mother whose family was from Alabama
. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area
. She is the youngest of four children, with an older sister and two older brothers. Her parents converted to Buddhism
when she was young. After graduating from high school in 1977, she attended San Francisco State University
's undergraduate nursing school
and graduated magna cum laude in 1985. She is a registered nurse
.
year of nursing school, she started working as a stripper
at Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theater
. She made her foray into the world of pornographic movies during her junior year, in 1984. Her debut performance was in the film Educating Nina, which was produced and directed by the veteran porn star Juliet Anderson
(better known as "Aunt Peg"), and this proved to be a massive hit.
She stated in an interview that she chose the name "Nina" because it was easy for Japanese
tourists to say during the time she was a dancer in San Francisco; "Hartley" was chosen as it was close to her own real last name and because she "wanted a name that sounded like that of a real person". She has said that when she got into the adult business, she was blessed with two popular fetish items: "big, baby-blue eyes and that round butt with a high, small waist", with her buttocks becoming her trademark.
Politically, Hartley currently considers herself a liberal
and an outspoken sex-positive feminist
, although for a time she was a socialist activist. Addressing other women, she said "Sex isn't something men do to you. It isn't something men get out of you. Sex is something you dive into with gusto and like it every bit as much as he does." Hartley has been an advocate for the adult film industry's right to exist, and, before the rise to stardom of Jenna Jameson
, had often been called on when television news programs and talk shows required an articulate, leading adult film actress to support the pro side. She appeared most notably on The Oprah Winfrey Show
with fellow porn actress Ona Zee
. The two came under hard scrutiny from the mostly female audience, but refused to back down and were outspoken in their support of the industry. She and Ona Zee also spoke out strongly against illegal drugs in the industry.
Hartley crossed over into mainstream Hollywood with an appearance in the 1997 film Boogie Nights
, in which she played William H. Macy
's serially unfaithful wife. She also appeared in the 1996 Canadian
film Bubbles Galore.
bisexual in her private life
and describes herself as an atheist.
She married Ira Levine (aka Ernest Greene), a director of porn films, particularly BDSM
films. They sometimes work together, as in The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women
, directed by Tristan Taormino
and Greene, and O: the Power of Submission, directed by Greene. In both of these films, Hartley plays supporting roles. The couple consider themselves polyamourous.
Hartley does not have any children due to a combination of a lack of interest and fibroid tumors
. She has eight nieces and nephews.
and foreplay
, to anal sex
and bondage
. In 2006 she published her first book Nina Hartley's Guide to Total Sex. In 2010, she quipped "Now I work with women who are younger than my breast implants".
Hartley played the part of Hillary Rodham Clinton
in the film Who's Nailin' Paylin?
, a pornographic parody of vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin
with Lisa Ann
in the role of Palin.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pornographic actress, pornographic film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, sex educator, feminist, and author.
Early life
Hartley was born in Berkeley, CaliforniaBerkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
to a Lutheran father and a Jewish
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
mother whose family was from Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
. She is the youngest of four children, with an older sister and two older brothers. Her parents converted to Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
when she was young. After graduating from high school in 1977, she attended San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
's undergraduate nursing school
Nursing school
A nursing school is a type of educational institution, or part thereof, providing education and training to become a fully qualified nurse. The nature of nursing education and nursing qualifications varies considerably across the world.-United Kingdom:...
and graduated magna cum laude in 1985. She is a registered nurse
Registered nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
.
Adult film career
In 1982, during her sophomoreSophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
year of nursing school, she started working as a stripper
Stripper
A stripper is a professional erotic dancer who performs a contemporary form of striptease at strip club establishments, public exhibitions, and private engagements. Unlike in burlesque, the performer in the modern Americanized form of stripping minimizes the interaction of customer and dancer,...
at Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theater
Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theater
The Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theatre is a striptease club at 895 O'Farrell Street near San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood. Opened as an X-rated movie theater by Jim and Artie Mitchell on July 4, 1969, the O'Farrell remains one of America's oldest and most notorious adult-entertainment...
. She made her foray into the world of pornographic movies during her junior year, in 1984. Her debut performance was in the film Educating Nina, which was produced and directed by the veteran porn star Juliet Anderson
Juliet Anderson
Juliet Anderson , also known as Aunt Peg, was an American pornographic actress and adult movie producer, relationship counselor and author...
(better known as "Aunt Peg"), and this proved to be a massive hit.
She stated in an interview that she chose the name "Nina" because it was easy for Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
tourists to say during the time she was a dancer in San Francisco; "Hartley" was chosen as it was close to her own real last name and because she "wanted a name that sounded like that of a real person". She has said that when she got into the adult business, she was blessed with two popular fetish items: "big, baby-blue eyes and that round butt with a high, small waist", with her buttocks becoming her trademark.
Politically, Hartley currently considers herself a liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
and an outspoken sex-positive feminist
Sex-positive feminism
Sex-positive feminism, also known as pro-sex feminism, sex-radical feminism, or sexually liberal feminism is a movement that began in the early 1980s...
, although for a time she was a socialist activist. Addressing other women, she said "Sex isn't something men do to you. It isn't something men get out of you. Sex is something you dive into with gusto and like it every bit as much as he does." Hartley has been an advocate for the adult film industry's right to exist, and, before the rise to stardom of Jenna Jameson
Jenna Jameson
Jenna Jameson is an American entrepreneur and former pornographic actress, who has been called the world's most famous adult-entertainment performer and "The Queen of Porn."...
, had often been called on when television news programs and talk shows required an articulate, leading adult film actress to support the pro side. She appeared most notably on The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
with fellow porn actress Ona Zee
Ona Zee
Ona Zee is the stage name of an American pornographic actress and model.Zee was born in Los Angeles, California. She has made about 300 adult movies since entering the industry in around 1985; for a few of those, she served as director, writer and producer...
. The two came under hard scrutiny from the mostly female audience, but refused to back down and were outspoken in their support of the industry. She and Ona Zee also spoke out strongly against illegal drugs in the industry.
Hartley crossed over into mainstream Hollywood with an appearance in the 1997 film Boogie Nights
Boogie Nights
Boogie Nights is a 1997 drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Set in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley, the script focuses on a young nightclub dishwasher who becomes a popular star of pornographic films, and chronicles his rise and fall from the Golden Age of Porn of the 1970s...
, in which she played William H. Macy
William H. Macy
William Hall Macy, Jr. is an American actor and writer. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo. He is also a teacher and director in theater, film and television. His film career has been built mostly on his appearances in small, independent films, though...
's serially unfaithful wife. She also appeared in the 1996 Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
film Bubbles Galore.
Personal life
Hartley is openlyComing out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
bisexual in her private life
and describes herself as an atheist.
She married Ira Levine (aka Ernest Greene), a director of porn films, particularly BDSM
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
films. They sometimes work together, as in The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women
The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women
The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women is a book authored by Tristan Taormino. The first edition of the book came out in 1997, and the second edition was released in 2006....
, directed by Tristan Taormino
Tristan Taormino
Tristan Taormino is a feminist author, columnist, sex educator, activist, editor, speaker, and pornographic film director . She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with her Bachelor's degree in American Studies from Wesleyan University in 1993...
and Greene, and O: the Power of Submission, directed by Greene. In both of these films, Hartley plays supporting roles. The couple consider themselves polyamourous.
Hartley does not have any children due to a combination of a lack of interest and fibroid tumors
Uterine fibroids
A uterine fibroid is a benign tumor that originates from the smooth muscle layer and the accompanying connective tissue of the uterus.Fibroids are the most common benign tumors in...
. She has eight nieces and nephews.
Currently
Hartley remains active as of 2011. Appearing primarily in "mature"-themed pornography, she also has a line of instructional videos which are marketed under the Nina Hartley's Guide brand covering the entire sexual spectrum, from basic sexual intercourseSexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
and foreplay
Foreplay
In human sexual behavior, foreplay is a set of intimate psychological and physically intimate acts between two or more people meant to create desire for sexual activity and sexual arousal. Either or any of the sexual partners may initiate the foreplay, and they may not be the active partner during...
, to anal sex
Anal sex
Anal sex is the sex act in which the penis is inserted into the anus of a sexual partner. The term can also include other sexual acts involving the anus, including pegging, anilingus , fingering, and object insertion.Common misconception describes anal sex as practiced almost exclusively by gay men...
and bondage
Bondage (BDSM)
Bondage is the use of restraints for the sexual pleasure of the parties involved. It may be used in its own right, as in the case of rope bondage and breast bondage, or as part of sexual activity or BDSM activity.- Private bondage :...
. In 2006 she published her first book Nina Hartley's Guide to Total Sex. In 2010, she quipped "Now I work with women who are younger than my breast implants".
Hartley played the part of Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
in the film Who's Nailin' Paylin?
Who's Nailin' Paylin?
Who's Nailin' Paylin? is an American satirical pornographic film released on November 4, 2008, that satirizes former U.S. vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The film was directed by Jerome Tanner and stars Lisa Ann, Nina Hartley and Jada Fire...
, a pornographic parody of vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
with Lisa Ann
Lisa Ann
Lisa Ann is an American pornographic actress.- Career :Lisa Ann was born in Easton, Pennsylvania. She began erotic dancing in 1990 to pay her way through college, where she became a certified dental assistant. In July 1993, she became an adult actress, but quit in 1997 due to an AIDS scare...
in the role of Palin.
AVN Awards
Hartley has won numerous awards throughout her career, from various critic and fan organizations. The following is a list of her Adult Video News Awards.- Best Non-Sex Performance for Not Bewitched XXX (2009)
- Best Specialty Tape – BDSMBDSMBDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
for Nina Hartley's Private Sessions 13 (2005) - Best Specialty Tape – SpankingSpankingSpanking refers to the act of striking the buttocks of another person to cause temporary pain without producing physical injury. It generally involves one person striking the buttocks of another person with an open hand. When an open hand is used, spanking is referred to in some countries as...
for Nina Hartley's Guide To Spanking (2005) - Best Supporting Actress – Video for The Last X-Rated Movie (1991)
- Best Couples Sex Scene Film for Amanda By Night II (1987)
- Best Couples Sex Scene – Video for Sensual Escape (1989)
- Best Supporting Actress – Film for Portrait of an Affair (1989)
- Best Actress – Video for Debbie Duz Dishes (1987)
Literature
- Nicolas Barbano: Verdens 25 hotteste pornostjerner (Rosinante, Denmark 1999) ISBN 87-7357-961-0: Features a chapter on her.
- Timothy Greenfield-SandersTimothy Greenfield-SandersTimothy Greenfield-Sanders is an American portrait photographer known for his strikingly intimate portraits of world leaders and major cultural figures. The majority of his work is shot in large format, 11x14 inch black-and-white film and 8x10 color film...
, Nina Hartley: XXX: 30 Porn-Star Portraits (Bulfinch, USA 2004) ISBN 0821277545. (Features essay and introduction by Nina.) - Nina Hartley: Nina Hartley's Guide to Total Sex (Avery, USA 2006) ISBN 1583332634
- Louis Marvin: The New Goddesses (AF Press, USA 1987): ISBN 0-912442-99-9 (Features a chapter on her.)
- David McCumber: X-Rated (Pinnacle Books, 1996) ISBN 0786011130. p139–149.
External links
- "Nina Hartley: 'O' Yeah!", Porn Star Interviews (podcast), August 29, 2006. (page links to MP3MP3MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
audio file) - "Redlight Features: Nina Hartley's Guide to Total Sex" – book excerpt and podcast interview (page links to MP3 audio file).
- "Nina & Zen Buddhism" interview with Brad Warner, Suicide Girls (website), April 11, 2008.
- Nina Hartley's guide "How to be a Superstud" - Hustler Magazine