Since the 1970s, there have been a number of adult film actors who have appeared in mainstream films with varying degrees of success. Adult film actors Marilyn Chambers and Linda Lovelace tried crossing over to mainstream careers in the 1970s, but had little success. Chambers did work with David Cronenberg in 1977's horror film Rabid, which went on to achieve cult success. Former adult film star Traci Lords appeared in John Waters' films Cry-Baby and Serial Mom, and Lords also appeared in the comedy film Zack and Miri Make a Porno. The gay pornographic star Johnny Hazzard more recently appeared in the mainstream gay drama Tiger Orange.
Jenna Jameson played a radio guest in the Howard Stern biopic Private Parts, while Sasha Grey was the female lead in The Girlfriend Experience. In 2013, James Deen played the male lead in The Canyons, an indie film written by Bret Easton Ellis, with Lindsay Lohan playing the female lead.
The following is a list of pornographic film actors who have appeared in non-pornographic films, including the year they first appeared in a mainstream film.
List Pornography actor / actress Non-pornographic film title(s) Year of debutAbigail Clayton Bye Bye Monkey (1978)Mr. Skin's Skincyclopedia (2005), p. 238 (Annette Haven), 260 (Heather Hunter), 316 (Abigail Clayton), 585 (Teri Weigel) Maniac (1980) So Fine (1981)1978Aino Kishi Samurai Princess (2009)2009Alexis Texas Bikini Frankenstein (2010)Bikini Frankenstein:Cast & Crew — Cast, MSN Entertainment2010Aliya Brynn The Dresden Sun (2026)2026Amber Lynn 52 Pick-Up (1986)1986Ana Foxxx Tangerine (2015)2015Anette Dawn 8mm 2 (2005)2005Angela White Pizza Series 5 (2007) 2007Annette Haven 10 (1979)1979April Rayne Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me (1992)1992Asa Akira Starlet (2012)2012Ashley Lane The Chair Company (2025)2025Ashlyn Gere Evil Laugh (1986) (as Kim McKamy) Creepozoids (1987) (as Kim McKamy) Lunch Meat (1987) (as Kim McKamy) Fatal Instinct (1992) (as Kim McKamy) The X-Files – Episode Blood (1994) The One (2001) (as Kimberly Patton) Willard (2003) (as Kimberly Patton)1986Ashlynn Brooke Piranha 3D (2010)Jackson, Bryant (23 August 2010). The Girls of Piranha 3D , CoEd (including listing of Ashlynn Brooke)2010Asia Carrera The Big Lebowski (1998)1998Aurora Snow The Rules of Attraction (2002) Superbad (extra scene) (2007)Adams, Eddie (5 December 2007). Jenna Haze, Aurora Snow Featured in Superbad Bonus Scene , Adult Video News (noting that Aurora Snow and Jenna Haze appear in a bonus DVD scene) Co-Ed Confidential (2007)2002Barbara Dare Evil Toons (1992)1992Belladonna Inherent Vice (2014)2014Bree Olson Purgatory Comics (2009) The Human Centipede 3 (Final Sequence) (2015)2009Brent Corrigan Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild! (2008) Chillerama (2011)2008Bridget PowersBeard, Lanford (3 August 2013). XXX to Mainstream Roles: Who Transitioned Best? , Entertainment Weekly (listing 10, including Bridget Powers) Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) S.W.A.T. (2003) Tiptoes (2003) Cain and Abel (2006) Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006) I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (2009) Big Money Rustlas (2010)2002Brigitte Lahaie The Grapes of Death (1978) Fascination (1979) I as in Icarus (1979) Faceless (1988) Henry & June (1990) Calvaire (2004)1978Brooke Johnson The Dresden Sun (2026)2026Candida Royalle 10 (1979)1979Charmane Star Black Dynamite (2009)2009Chloe Cherry Euphoria (2022)2015Crissy Moran Murder-Set-Pieces (2004)2004Dana DeArmond Loveless in Los Angeles (2007)2005Dany Verissimo(3 October 2013). 7 Movie Stars Who Began Their Careers In Porn , What Culture District 13 (2004) Gradiva (2006)2004Ed Powers Crank: High Voltage (2009) 2009Eliska Cross Black Venus (2010)2010Emily Willis Divinity (2023)2023Éva Henger E adesso sesso (2001) Torno a vivere da solo (2008)2001François Sagat Saw VI (2009) Man at Bath (2010)2009Fred J. Lincoln The Last House on the Left (1972)1972Georgina Spelvin Police Academy (1984) Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986)1984Gianna MichaelsSneider, Jeff (19 October 2010) Dimension Taps ‘Feast’ Filmmakers for ‘Piranha 3 DD’ , The Wrap (confirms appearance of Gianna Michaels in Piranha 3D) Piranha 3D (2010)2010Gina Lynn (article discusses Gina Lynn "crossover" to mainstream films and continued porn appearances) Analyze That (2002) Minghags: The Movie (2009) Reality Horror Night (2009) Mancation (2012)2002Ginger Lynn Vice Academy 1–6 (1988–1997) Young Guns II (1990) Whore (1991) Leather Jackets (1992) American Pie Presents: Band Camp (2005) The Devil's Rejects (2005)1988Harry Reems Luna di miele in tre (1976) Demented (1980)1976Heather Hunter Frankenhooker (1990) He Got Game (1998) The Black Ninja (2003)1990Holly Sampson Pump Up the Volume (1990) Gia (1998) Staying on Top (2002) Lady Chatterley's Daughter (2011) Sexual Witchcraft (2011)1990James Deen The Canyons (2013)2013Jamie Gillis Nighthawks (1981) 52 Pick-Up (1986)1981Jamie Summers Terror Night (1987)1987Janine Lindemulder Lauderdale (1989) Private Parts (1997)1989Jeanna Fine Orgazmo (1997) The Boondock Saints (1999)1997Jeannie Pepper The Malibu Beach Vampires (1991) High School High (1996)1991Jenna Haze Superbad (extra scene) (2007) Crank: High Voltage (2009)2007Jenna Jameson Private Parts (1997) Dirt Merchant (1999) Porn 'n Chicken (2002) Evil Breed: The Legend of Samhain (2003) Zombie Strippers (2008)1997Jennifer Welles Sugar Cookies (1973) The Groove Tube (1974)1973Jessie Andrews Hot Summer Nights (2017)2017Jesse Jane Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding (2003) Frat Party (2009) Middle Men (2010) Let the Game Begin (2010) Highway To Havasu (2017)2003Jessica Jaymes How to Make Love to a Woman (2010) Sunset Society (2018)2010Jewel De'Nyle Pauly Shore Is Dead (2003)2003Jill Kelly He Got Game (1998)1998Joanna Angel Breath of Hate (2011)2011Johnny Hazzard Tiger Orange (2014)2014Juli Ashton Orgazmo (1997)1997Karen Lancaume Baise-moi (2000)2000Katie Morgan Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) L!fe Happens (2010)2008Katja Kassin Tangerine (2015)2015KatsuniKatsuni, une "kaïra" de charme aux côtés de Géraldine Nakache et Elie Semoun , premiere.fr, 19 June 2012 Destricted (2006) Porn in the Hood (2012) Jailbreak (2017)2006Kayden Kross Don Jon (2013) Blue Dream (2013) Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance (2015) The Hungover Games (2014) Highway to Havasu (2017) Verotika (2019)2015Kobe Tai Very Bad Things (1998)1998Kylie Ireland Strange Days (1995)1995Letha Weapons Married... with Children - "The Naked And The Dead, But Mostly The Naked" (1995)1995Lexi Belle Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance (2015)2015Lexington Steele Crank: High Voltage (2009)2009Lizzy Borden Terror Toons (2002)2002Linzi Drew An American Werewolf in London (1981) Aria (1987)1981Lorelei LeeWarren, Peter (19 May 2011). Lorelei Lee: The Next Diablo Cody? , Adult Video News About Cherry (2012)2012Manuel Ferrara Starlet (2012)2012Maria OzawaPorn stars who went mainstream , The Times of India, Retrieved 7 August 2014) (list includes Maria Ozawa (#17), noting her appearance in Invitation Only) Invitation Only (2009) Menculik Miyabi (2010)2009Maestro Claudio The Chair Company (2025)2025Marie Forså Immoral Tales (1973)1973Marilyn ChambersHamilton, William L. (21 March 1999). The Mainstream Flirts With Pornography Chic , The New York Times (Chambers, Lords) The Owl and the Pussycat (1970) (Before porn) Rabid (1977)1970Marlene Willoughby No Place to Hide (1970) I, the Jury (1982) Married to the Mob (1988)1970Mary Carey Hot Times in the Hollywood Hills (2003) Pervert! (2005) Vice (2008) (uncredited) Wolf Mother (2016)2005Matthew Rush Another Gay Movie (2006)2006Melissa Hill(26 December 2013). AVN Announces 2014 Hall of Fame Inductees , Adult Video News (article notes adult career as Melissa Hill, as well as mainstream appearance in Orgazmo) Orgazmo (1997)1997Mia Hurley Tangerine (2015)2015Michelle Thorne Sacred Flesh (1999)1994Missy Martinez Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse (2015)2015Moana Pozzi Talcum Powder (1982) Escape from the Bronx (1983) Ginger and Fred (1986) L'Odissea (1991) Amami (1993)1982Monique Alexander Crank: High Voltage (2009) 2002Nacho Vidal The Impatient Alchemist (2002) Va a ser que nadie es perfecto (2006)2002Nicole Aniston Reboot Camp (2020)2020Nick ManningMiller, Dan (26 April 2010). Nick Manning Stars in Mainstream Film Cherry Bomb , Adult Video News (reporting on mainstream performances by Nick Manning) Crank: High Voltage (2009) Cherry Bomb (2010)2009Nina Hartley Boogie Nights (1997)1997Ovidie The Pornographer (2001) All About Anna (2005)2001Paul Barresi The Wild Party (1975) Perfect (1985) Ghosts of Mars (2001)1975Paul Thomas Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) (as Philip Toubus) (before porn)1973Puma Swede The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It (2010) I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (2009) Sons of Anarchy (2014)2010Rebecca Lord I Am a Sex Addict (2005)2005Riley SteeleRiley Steele , AVN Piranha 3D (2010)2010Robert Kerman'R. Bolla: Adult Film's Method Actor' , The Rialto Report , audio interview with Robert Kerman Cannibal Holocaust (1980) Eaten Alive! (1980) Cannibal Ferox (1981) Spider-Man (2002) Vic (2006)1980Rob RottenSex, Drugs, and Punk Rock Music , The Village Voice The Jackhammer Massacre (2004)2004Rocco Siffredi Romance (1999) Anatomy of Hell (2004) Wedding in Paris (2011) Natale a cinque stelle (2018)1999Ron JeremyRon Jeremy at Rotten Tomatoes Ghostbusters (1984) 52 Pick-Up (1986) The Chase (1994) Killing Zoe (1994) Meet Wally Sparks (1997) Orgazmo (1997) 54 (1998) The Boondock Saints (1999) Terror Firmer (1999) Detroit Rock City (1999) Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2000) Hell's Highway (2002) Porn 'n Chicken (2002) The Rules of Attraction (2002) Spun (2002) The Aristocrats (2005) Andre the Butcher (2005) Finishing the Game (2007) Homo Erectus (2007) One-Eyed Monster (2008) Crank: High Voltage (2009)1984Sasha Grey Homo Erectus (2007) The Girlfriend Experience (2009) Smash Cut (2009) I Melt with You (2011) Would You Rather (2012) Open Windows (2014) The Scribbler (2014)2007Scott Lyons Tangerine (2015)2015Savannah The Invisible Maniac (1990) (as Shannon Wilsey) Sorority House Massacre II (1990) (as Shannon Wilsey) Camp Fear (1991) (as Shannon Wilsey)1990Selen Zora la vampira (2000) Scarlet Diva (2000)2000Sensi Pearl High School Musical (2006) (as Cassie Nelson) Read It and Weep (2006) (as Cassie Nelson) High School Musical 2 (2007) (as Cassie Nelson) About Cherry (2012)2006Serena 10 (1979) Hardcore (1979)1979Sharon Mitchell Maniac (1980) Night of the Juggler (1980) 52 Pick-Up (1986)1980Shyla Stylez Hollywood Sex Wars (2011)2011Sola Aoi Memories of Matsuko (2006) Big Tits Zombie (2010)2006Stephen Geoffreys"I was just collecting myself. I did gay adult movies and TV and a lot of plays"; Interview granted to Scarlet Street Magazine, issue #26, January 1998 Fraternity Vacation (1985) (Before porn) Fright Night (1985) (Before porn)1985Stormy Daniels The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)(23 August 2012). Stormy Daniels on Being a Porn-Star Mom , The Daily Beast (article on Stormy Daniels notes her appearances with small parts in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Finding Bliss) Knocked Up (2007) D!rt (2007) Finding Bliss (2009) Party Down (2009) Wrong Side of Town (2010) Bad President (2020)2005Sunny Leone The Girl Next Door (2004) (credited cameo) The Virginity Hit (2010) Jism 2 (2012) Shootout at Wadala (2013) (Guest Appearance) Jackpot (2013) Ragini MMS 2 (2014) Vadacurry (2014) (Guest Appearance) Hate Story 2 (2014) (Guest Appearance) Balwinder Singh Famous Ho Gaya (2014) (Guest Appearance) Mastizaade (2016) Current Theega (2015) Ek Paheli Leela (2015) Raees (2017) (Guest Appearance) Tera Intezaar (2017) PSV Garuda Vega (2017)