Juliet Anderson
Encyclopedia
Juliet Anderson also known as Aunt Peg, (July 23, 1938 – January 11, 2010) was an American pornographic actress and adult movie producer, relationship counselor and author. Entering the adult movie business relatively late in life (at age 39), she quickly built a reputation as one of the premier performers in the so-called "golden age of porn", appearing in over seventy films—often as "Aunt Peg", a role portrayed as a giddy, insatiable woman determined to enjoy life and sex to the maximum extent possible. In 1984, she started a new career as a relationship counselor and massage therapist, before returning to adult entertainment in the mid 1990s.
, the daughter of a jazz trumpet player and an aspiring actress. She was afflicted with Crohn's disease
and spent a sizable portion of her youth in the hospital or on bedrest. Graduating from Burbank High School in 1959 (where she was a straight-A student), she briefly attended Long Beach State College as an art
major before relocating to Hayama, Japan with her then lover, a Navy sailor. A brief marriage to him did not work out, and Juliet spent the next eighteen years in various occupations, including teaching English to foreign students in Japan, Mexico, Greece and Finland. While teaching in Finland, she also worked as a radio producer. In 1963, while living in Miami, Anderson was secretary to a producer of "nudie" movies and a receptionist at the Burger King
home office; she also worked for Avis
during this period. In her website autobiography, she indicates that she appeared in an (unnamed) sexploitation
film in 1963, portraying a police sergeant.
During this time, Anderson was known by her birthname of Judith Carr. She did not begin using the moniker "Juliet Anderson" until later in her adult film career, when she made the transition from 8mm
productions to feature films. She has also used the stage name
s of Alice Rigby, Judy Callin, Ruby Sapphire, Judy Carr, Aunt Peg, Judy Fallbrook, and Judith Anderson.
. She was working in advertising when she answered an ad by hardcore pornography
producer Alex de Renzy
, who was looking for an actress. Cast in the movie Pretty Peaches, Juliet's career quickly took off from there. She acquired the name of "Aunt Peg" during a movie where she was portrayed as having sex with a niece, who cried out: "Oh, Aunt Peg!"; thus arose the moniker by which Anderson is best known to her fans. She appeared in several pornographic magazine
pictorials during this timeframe, made appearances on radio and television, and operated a mail-order business, casting agency and a phone-sex service. She also performed in stage shows across the United States, combining comedy and sex in her performances. Anderson later indicated that these stage exhibitions were the "most gratifying" portion of her adult career.
Although Anderson portrayed many characters during her movie career, all tended to be tough-talking and unsentimental, yet rambunctious, vibrant and even comedic—all at the same time. She was said never to have faked an orgasm
in any of her films. Author Charles Taylor
wrote that she "brought a persona of classic movie-broad to porn", referring to her as "the Joan Blondell
of porn." Another critic, Howard Hampton, opined that "her tough, no-nonsense older woman routine would be at home in the margins of any Howard Hawks
movie."
. She moved to Northern California
, where she ran a bed and breakfast
for a time and opened a massage therapy office. Anderson chose to return to pornography in 1995, making new movies as an actress, producer and director.
In 1998, she directed Ageless Desire, a hardcore
video featuring several over-50 real-life couples, including Juliet and her current partner. Numerous awards followed: Induction into the Erotic Legends Hall of Fame in 1996, an X-rated Critics Organization Hall of Fame Award in 1999, and a "Lifetime Achievement Actress Award" from the Free Speech Coalition
in 2001. In 2007, Anderson received an honorary Doctor of the Arts
from The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality
.
She was featured in the 1998 documentary Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes
.
By 2009, Anderson lived in Berkeley, California
with four cats. She continued to work in the adult film industry, and had announced plans to produce new films. She also worked as a relationship counselor
, giving private workshops for couples focusing on "Tender Loving Touch", in which sexual touching is seen as "play, not as foreplay." She contributed to the books The New Sexual Healers: Women of the Light and The Red Thread of Passion, and authored articles for magazines and newspapers.
Her friend, Kevin Fong, stated that he had arrived at Anderson's residence to take her to a doctor's appointment for a colonoscopy, to help with the treatment of her Crohn's
disease. He furthermore indicated that he found Anderson in her bed, with nothing in the room appearing to be "out of the ordinary." Fong stated that Anderson had expressed a desire to be cremated. A memorial was held on January 26, 2010 at the Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco.
Early life
Judith Carr was born and grew up in Burbank, CaliforniaBurbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
, the daughter of a jazz trumpet player and an aspiring actress. She was afflicted with Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms...
and spent a sizable portion of her youth in the hospital or on bedrest. Graduating from Burbank High School in 1959 (where she was a straight-A student), she briefly attended Long Beach State College as an art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
major before relocating to Hayama, Japan with her then lover, a Navy sailor. A brief marriage to him did not work out, and Juliet spent the next eighteen years in various occupations, including teaching English to foreign students in Japan, Mexico, Greece and Finland. While teaching in Finland, she also worked as a radio producer. In 1963, while living in Miami, Anderson was secretary to a producer of "nudie" movies and a receptionist at the Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
home office; she also worked for Avis
Avis Rent A Car System
Avis Rent a Car System, LLC is a car rental company headquartered in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, New Jersey, United States. Avis, Budget Rent a Car and Budget Truck Rental are all units of Avis Budget Group....
during this period. In her website autobiography, she indicates that she appeared in an (unnamed) sexploitation
Sexploitation
Sexploitation, or "sex-exploitation", describes a class of independently produced, low-budget feature films generally associated with the 1960s and serving largely as a vehicle for the exhibition of non-explicit sexual situations and gratuitous nudity. The genre is a subgenre of exploitation films...
film in 1963, portraying a police sergeant.
During this time, Anderson was known by her birthname of Judith Carr. She did not begin using the moniker "Juliet Anderson" until later in her adult film career, when she made the transition from 8mm
8 mm film
8 mm film is a motion picture film format in which the filmstrip is eight millimeters wide. It exists in two main versions: the original standard 8mm film, also known as regular 8 mm or Double 8 mm, and Super 8...
productions to feature films. She has also used the stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
s of Alice Rigby, Judy Callin, Ruby Sapphire, Judy Carr, Aunt Peg, Judy Fallbrook, and Judith Anderson.
Adult movie career
After a further period overseas, Anderson returned to the United States during the early 1970s, and became involved in the pornography business while a student at San Francisco State UniversitySan 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...
. She was working in advertising when she answered an ad by hardcore pornography
Hardcore pornography
Hardcore pornography is a form of pornography that features explicit sexual acts. The term was coined in the second half of the 20th century to distinguish it from softcore pornography. It usually takes the form of photographs, often displayed in magazines or on the Internet, or films. It can also...
producer Alex de Renzy
Alex de Renzy
Alexander de Renzy was an American director and producer of pornographic movies.Born in Brooklyn, New York, Alex de Renzy served in the United States Air Force, serving as a Survival Instructor. Back in the United States, he began making documentary films in San Francisco...
, who was looking for an actress. Cast in the movie Pretty Peaches, Juliet's career quickly took off from there. She acquired the name of "Aunt Peg" during a movie where she was portrayed as having sex with a niece, who cried out: "Oh, Aunt Peg!"; thus arose the moniker by which Anderson is best known to her fans. She appeared in several pornographic magazine
Pornographic magazine
Pornographic magazines, sometimes known as adult magazines, sex magazines or top-shelf magazines are pornographic magazines that contain content of a sexual nature. Adult magazines are mainly aimed towards men, and in some parts of the world, many men's first sight of a naked woman has been in an...
pictorials during this timeframe, made appearances on radio and television, and operated a mail-order business, casting agency and a phone-sex service. She also performed in stage shows across the United States, combining comedy and sex in her performances. Anderson later indicated that these stage exhibitions were the "most gratifying" portion of her adult career.
Although Anderson portrayed many characters during her movie career, all tended to be tough-talking and unsentimental, yet rambunctious, vibrant and even comedic—all at the same time. She was said never to have faked an orgasm
Orgasm
Orgasm is the peak of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, characterized by an intense sensation of pleasure...
in any of her films. Author Charles Taylor
Charles Taylor
Charles McArthur Ghankay Taylor was the 22nd President of Liberia, serving from 2 August 1997 until his resignation on 11 August 2003....
wrote that she "brought a persona of classic movie-broad to porn", referring to her as "the Joan Blondell
Joan Blondell
Rose Joan Blondell was an American actress who performed in movies and on television for five decades as Joan Blondell.After winning a beauty pageant, Blondell embarked upon a film career...
of porn." Another critic, Howard Hampton, opined that "her tough, no-nonsense older woman routine would be at home in the margins of any Howard Hawks
Howard Hawks
Howard Winchester Hawks was an American film director, producer and screenwriter of the classic Hollywood era...
movie."
Leaving and returning
In 1984, Anderson chose to leave the adult film business due to differences between herself and producers regarding the editing of Educating Nina, a video she directed starring Nina HartleyNina Hartley
Nina Hartley is an American pornographic actress, pornographic film director, sex educator, feminist, and author.-Early life:...
. She moved to Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
, where she ran a bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
for a time and opened a massage therapy office. Anderson chose to return to pornography in 1995, making new movies as an actress, producer and director.
In 1998, she directed Ageless Desire, a hardcore
Hardcore pornography
Hardcore pornography is a form of pornography that features explicit sexual acts. The term was coined in the second half of the 20th century to distinguish it from softcore pornography. It usually takes the form of photographs, often displayed in magazines or on the Internet, or films. It can also...
video featuring several over-50 real-life couples, including Juliet and her current partner. Numerous awards followed: Induction into the Erotic Legends Hall of Fame in 1996, an X-rated Critics Organization Hall of Fame Award in 1999, and a "Lifetime Achievement Actress Award" from the Free Speech Coalition
Free Speech Coalition
The Free Speech Coalition is a non-profit trade association of the pornography and adult entertainment industry in the United States...
in 2001. In 2007, Anderson received an honorary Doctor of the Arts
Doctor of Arts
The Doctor of Arts is a discipline-based terminal doctoral degree that was originally conceived and designed to be an alternative to the traditional research-based Doctor of Philosophy and the education-based Doctor of Education . Like other doctorates, the D.A. is an academic degree of the...
from The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality
Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality
The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality is a non-accredited degree-granting institution and resource center in the field of sexology located in San Francisco, California. Degree and certificate programs focus on public health, sex therapy, and sexological research...
.
She was featured in the 1998 documentary Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes
Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes
Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes is a 1998 documentary directed by Cass Paley, written and produced by Rodger Jacobs and starring John C. Holmes, Ron Jeremy, Larry Flynt, Misty Dawn, Aunt Peg, Rodger Jacobs and Paul Thomas Anderson.- Overview :...
.
By 2009, Anderson lived in Berkeley, California
Berkeley, 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...
with four cats. She continued to work in the adult film industry, and had announced plans to produce new films. She also worked as a relationship counselor
Counselor
- Medicine and social work :* A counsel* Camp counselor** Counselor-in-Training, training program for camp counselors* Lay Community Counsellor* Licensed Professional Counselor* Mental Health Counselor* Navy Counselor in the United States Navy...
, giving private workshops for couples focusing on "Tender Loving Touch", in which sexual touching is seen as "play, not as foreplay." She contributed to the books The New Sexual Healers: Women of the Light and The Red Thread of Passion, and authored articles for magazines and newspapers.
Death
Anderson's body was discovered by a friend on the morning of January 11, 2010.Her friend, Kevin Fong, stated that he had arrived at Anderson's residence to take her to a doctor's appointment for a colonoscopy, to help with the treatment of her Crohn's
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms...
disease. He furthermore indicated that he found Anderson in her bed, with nothing in the room appearing to be "out of the ordinary." Fong stated that Anderson had expressed a desire to be cremated. A memorial was held on January 26, 2010 at the Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco.
Literature
- Louis Marvin: The New Goddesses (AF Press, USA 1987): Features a chapter on Juliet Anderson.
External links
- Biography at LukeIsBack.com Contains brief biographical information on Anderson.
- "The golden age of porn", "Critics sneer at XXX films. But careers like Juliet Anderson's offer as much to admire as those of John Wayne or Audrey Hepburn.", Charles Taylor, April 13, 2002, Salon.comSalon.comSalon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
. - Sex is no Act: A Tribute to Juliet Anderson, by Graham Hill, Cinema Retro, 9 July 2009. Retrieved on 2009-11-10.