Tina Russell(1948-1981)
- Actress
- Make-Up Department
- Editorial Department
Tina Russell was born Linda Marie Mintzer on Sept. 23, 1948, 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
multiple organ failure 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 is also buried.
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