Tina Russell
Encyclopedia
Tina Russell was the stage name
of a pioneering adult film actress active in New York
between about 1970 and 1975. She also performed in some of the earliest "live sex shows" to appear in New York in the early-1970s (they actually featured simulated sex).
Tina Russell was born Linda Marie Mintzer in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to John H. and Margaret Ditzler Mintzer. She grew up in Williamsport and graduated from high school there in 1966. Her senior photo shows a mature brunette with a "Laura Petrie" hairstyle, looking more like a future nurse than a porn star. She became one of the best known adult film actresses of the "Golden Age" of porn, admired for her fresh looks and evident enthusiasm for her on-screen liaisons. The Williamsport city directories of 1968- 1970 show Russell living at home and listed as a student, but she moved to New York City to attend New York University shortly thereafter. Along with her husband Jason Russell (born John Sanderson) - several years her elder - she began modeling in sexually oriented photographs and performed in so-called "live sex shows" (the "sex" at the period was usually pantomimed). After appearing in 16mm "stag" loops, Russell began to take small roles in feature films during early 1970s. Russell only really acquired star status, however, after the publication of her 1973 memoir, Porno Star, in which she described - in often glowing terms - her life in the New York adult film industry. She and Jason separated shortly thereafter and Tina's star sank as quickly as it had risen. Rumors of alcohol abuse haunt her later years. On May 18, 1981, Tina Russell died of stomach cancer at the Tri-City hospital in Vista, CA after having visited her brother in San Diego. She is buried in Resurrection Cemetery in Montoursville, PA, where her father also is buried.
In the late-1960s, she married photographer John Sanderson, later called Jason Russell, and the couple moved to New York City, where Russell enrolled in New York University
. Under the pseudonyms Jason and Tina Russell, the couple began their film careers appearing in "loops"--very short, plotless pornographic films which were shown in peepshows in New York's Times Square
. They appeared in a number of "marriage manual" films during the early 1970s and Tina Russell was a featured actress in some of the earliest hardcore pornographic feature films to be produced in New York.
Sometime in the mid-1970s, the Russells' relationship ended. Tina Russell became depressed and alcoholic
. She was visiting her brother in San Diego in May 1981 when she collapsed and was hospitalized. She died several days later of renal failure
. Russell is buried in Resurrection Cemetery, Montoursville, Pennsylvania
, under her birth name.
In 1985, Russell was posthumously inducted into the X-Rated Critics Organization
Hall of Fame
.
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:...
of a pioneering adult film actress active in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
between about 1970 and 1975. She also performed in some of the earliest "live sex shows" to appear in New York in the early-1970s (they actually featured simulated sex).
Tina Russell was born Linda Marie Mintzer in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to John H. and Margaret Ditzler Mintzer. She grew up in Williamsport and graduated from high school there in 1966. Her senior photo shows a mature brunette with a "Laura Petrie" hairstyle, looking more like a future nurse than a porn star. She became one of the best known adult film actresses of the "Golden Age" of porn, admired for her fresh looks and evident enthusiasm for her on-screen liaisons. The Williamsport city directories of 1968- 1970 show Russell living at home and listed as a student, but she moved to New York City to attend New York University shortly thereafter. Along with her husband Jason Russell (born John Sanderson) - several years her elder - she began modeling in sexually oriented photographs and performed in so-called "live sex shows" (the "sex" at the period was usually pantomimed). After appearing in 16mm "stag" loops, Russell began to take small roles in feature films during early 1970s. Russell only really acquired star status, however, after the publication of her 1973 memoir, Porno Star, in which she described - in often glowing terms - her life in the New York adult film industry. She and Jason separated shortly thereafter and Tina's star sank as quickly as it had risen. Rumors of alcohol abuse haunt her later years. On May 18, 1981, Tina Russell died of stomach cancer at the Tri-City hospital in Vista, CA after having visited her brother in San Diego. She is buried in Resurrection Cemetery in Montoursville, PA, where her father also is buried.
In the late-1960s, she married photographer John Sanderson, later called Jason Russell, and the couple moved to New York City, where Russell enrolled in New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. Under the pseudonyms Jason and Tina Russell, the couple began their film careers appearing in "loops"--very short, plotless pornographic films which were shown in peepshows in New York's Times Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
. They appeared in a number of "marriage manual" films during the early 1970s and Tina Russell was a featured actress in some of the earliest hardcore pornographic feature films to be produced in New York.
Sometime in the mid-1970s, the Russells' relationship ended. Tina Russell became depressed and alcoholic
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
. She was visiting her brother in San Diego in May 1981 when she collapsed and was hospitalized. She died several days later of renal failure
Renal failure
Renal failure or kidney failure describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood...
. Russell is buried in Resurrection Cemetery, Montoursville, Pennsylvania
Montoursville, Pennsylvania
Montoursville is a borough in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the borough population was 4,777. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was named for Madame Montour, a Native American leader and skilled interpreter...
, under her birth name.
In 1985, Russell was posthumously inducted into the X-Rated Critics Organization
X-Rated Critics Organization
The X-Rated Critics Organization is a group of writers and editors from the adult entertainment industry who each year present awards in recognition of achievement within the industry....
Hall of Fame
XRCO Hall of Fame
XRCO Hall of Fame lists some of the most notable adult entertainment works and workers. The list is managed by X-Rated Critics Organization and inducted annually during the XRCO awards.-Actors:* 1985 John C...
.