The world of entertainment is full of surprises, and sometimes, a star’s journey begins in the most unexpected places. While mainstream Hollywood and the adult entertainment industry often seem like separate universes, there are a few notable figures who’ve successfully navigated from one to the other. These stars prove that talent and ambition can lead to success, no matter where you start. Let’s explore ten celebrities who began their careers in the adult entertainment industry.
Larry Hankin
Larry Hankin, a prolific actor with over 100 acting credits, might not be a household name, but you’ve likely seen him in some of your favorite shows. He’s had memorable roles in Breaking Bad, Seinfeld, and Friends. Interestingly, he’s the only actor besides Brian Cranston to appear in all three shows. Hankin’s film career includes roles alongside Clint Eastwood and in comedy hits like Billy Madison.
Before his mainstream success, Hankin appeared in the 1977 pornographic film China de Sade. Directed by Charles Webb, the film features Linda Wong as a Chinese spy involved with sadists. Hankin played a non-sexual role as an agent, credited as Lance Hunt. The circumstances of his involvement remain unclear, but he’s not the only actor to have such an early role in an adult film.
James Hong
With over 400 acting roles, James Hong has built an impressive legacy as both an actor and voice actor. He’s best known as the villain Lo Pan in John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China and for his guest roles on shows like Seinfeld. Younger audiences may recognize his voice work in Jackie Chan Adventures and Kung Fu Panda.
Hong’s extensive filmography includes a non-sexual role in the 1974 adult film China Girl, credited as Y.C. Chan. He starred alongside Annette Haven, a well-known adult film star. Coincidentally, he also appeared in an unrelated 1987 film titled China Girl. Despite having a 20-year acting career by then, he still took on the role. In the same year, he appeared in the critically acclaimed classic Chinatown.
Simon Rex
Simon Rex, though not a household name, has proven his comedic talent over the years. Many remember him as an MTV VJ from the ’90s. He’s known for his work on shows like What I Like About You and in the Scary Movie franchise. More recently, he’s gained a following on platforms like Vine.
Before his mainstream success, Rex faced financial struggles. At 18, while working as a busboy and supporting his girlfriend and her child, he needed money for rent. His girlfriend, who was already in the adult industry, arranged a few shoots for him. Rex appeared in solo masturbation videos under the name Sebastian. Since then, he’s established a solid acting career, with these videos remaining his only foray into the adult business.
Sibel Kekilli
Game of Thrones, which premiered in 2011, became a cultural phenomenon and turned many of its stars into household names. Sibel Kekilli played Shae in 20 episodes across the first four seasons. While not a central character, she was a prominent recurring figure. Given the show’s frequent use of sex and nudity, it’s not surprising that some cast members had backgrounds in adult entertainment.
Kekilli, however, had left her pornographic career behind long before being cast in Game of Thrones. She worked in the adult film industry for only six months between 2001 and 2002. A casting director discovered her in a mall, leading to her role in the German drama film Head-On. The attention from the film led to her past being revealed, causing her parents to cut off contact. Despite this, she continued her successful acting career, eventually landing her role in Game of Thrones.
Wes Craven
Wes Craven, hailed as a Master of Horror, made a significant impact on the film industry with his controversial success, Last House on the Left. He continued to build a reputation with successful franchises like Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream. Craven even directed the musical drama Music of the Heart. Before becoming a horror icon, he explored another genre.
Craven left his studies to work in the adult film industry, directing several films under pseudonyms and occasionally appearing in non-sexual roles. His earliest credited role is in the 1972 film It Happened In Hollywood. Between his first film and The Hills Have Eyes, he directed two other adult films, one in 1975 under the name Abe Snake. His background in the adult industry might explain why Fred J. Lincoln, a prolific pornographic director and actor, appeared in Craven’s film debut as one of the lead villains.
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola is one of the most respected and influential directors of his generation, creating classics like The Godfather films and Apocalypse Now. With numerous Academy and Golden Globe awards, it’s hard to imagine a time when he wasn’t a household name. However, in the early 1960s, he was a struggling artist with just $10 to his name, leading him to direct skin flicks.
Coppola raised $3,000 to write and direct the short film The Peeper, featuring Playboy playmate Marli Renfro. Due to distribution challenges, his short film was combined with another Marli Renfro nudie western film, The Wide Open Spaces, to create the softcore comedy Tonight For Sure. He then helmed another project, The Bellboy and the Playgirls, a 3D skin flick created by editing existing footage with new scenes. Coppola has never been ashamed of these works, acknowledging that it was the only way he could make films at the time.
Shel Silverstein
Most people who grew up since the ‘70s instantly recognize the name Shel Silverstein. Whether through his book The Giving Tree or his collections of poems, his work is a staple of childhood. Given his renowned status as a children’s entertainer, it’s surprising to learn where he first found success.
Silverstein’s cartoons graced the pages of Playboy. He became one of the magazine’s leading cartoonists in 1957, traveling the world to document his experiences in a segment titled “Shel Silverstein Visits.” These cartoons, though comedic, often touched on adult subjects and featured illustrations of Silverstein engaging in NSFW activities. While his signature style and humor are evident, these works are a stark contrast to his more kid-friendly creations.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz began modeling at 16 and gained fame for her leading role in the 1994 hit The Mask. Several notable films followed, including the box office success Charlie’s Angels. Before her film debut, at 19, she participated in a topless S&M leather lingerie photo and video shoot. While the shoot was a typical modeling job for her at the time, the aftermath became quite infamous.
In 2003, the photographer, John Rutter, demanded $3.5 million from Diaz to prevent the release of the photos, threatening to sell them to others. Diaz refused to be blackmailed and instead sued him. Despite her efforts, the photos were distributed on a Russian website titled “She’s No Angel.” Rutter was sentenced to over three years in jail for attempted grand theft, forgery, and perjury.
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan likely needs no introduction. Known for his Hong Kong films and his American work, Chan is an actor, martial artist, stuntman, and singer. Early in his career, he could arguably add pornographic actor to the list—sort of.
In 1975, Chan was an uncredited extra/stuntman in the Hong Kong film industry. He starred in the Hong Kong sex comedy film All in the Family. While the film would be considered softcore today, Chan views it as pornographic due to its risqué nature and one of his only sex scenes. Fortunately for Chan, he achieved box office success by 1978 with Drunken Master, and the rest is history.
Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone starred in one of the most well-known celebrity adult films, fitting for one of the biggest stars ever. He quickly became a leading man with the critically acclaimed classic Rocky. Before his success, Stallone was a young man in need of money, evicted from his apartment and sleeping in a bus station.
Stallone found a casting notice for the softcore film The Party at Kitty and Stud’s. With no other option but to rob someone, he took the $200 pay for two days of work. The filmmakers tried to capitalize on his fame after Rocky, retitling the film The Italian Stallion and adding hardcore sex scenes. Stallone, who went from starring in a softcore film to an Oscar nomination in just a few years, has come a long way. He also had a small role in an erotic off-Broadway play titled Score.
Conclusion
From Larry Hankin’s early role in China de Sade to Sylvester Stallone’s desperate turn in The Party at Kitty and Stud’s, these ten celebrities prove that the path to success can be unexpected. Whether it was a brief stint like Sibel Kekilli’s or a well-hidden past like Wes Craven’s, each star’s journey is a testament to their talent and determination. It’s a reminder that everyone starts somewhere, and even the biggest names in Hollywood have surprising chapters in their early careers.
What do you think about these surprising starts? Leave your comment below!
