In the Spirit of Sex Positivity, Here Are 8 Actors Who Got Their Start in Adult Films

Whether it's premium feminist porn or the high-def, gasp-inducing content on XXX streaming sites, the fact is: people watch adult films. And, turns out, plenty of mainstream actors got their start in the NSFW world—from David Duchovny's turn in the softcore world of Red Shoe Diaries to Dame Helen Mirren's stint in Penthouse's Caligula.

1. David Duchovny: 'Red Shoe Diaries'

When it comes to softcore antics, Red Shoe Diaries is as classic as it gets. The stories almost always involve a woman's sexual awakening, and usually include super '90s love scenes. Duchovny's role? Narrator Jake Winters, whose girlfriend committed suicide—prompting him to spend his time asking women to write letters about their love affairs. So basically, he's a sad, lonely voyeur.

2. Matt LeBlanc: 'Red Shoe Diaries'

Yep, Matt LeBlanc was also in Red Shoe Diaries. He played a sexy bike messenger, and had this to say about the part: "Did I really do those scenes? God, it seems like a dream. A really hot one, though. But when we were finished, I had a new appreciate for the words 'erotic' and 'sensual.'" (Note: this quote was pulled from a promo ad for the episode, so take it with a hefty grain of salt.)

3. Jackie Chan: 'All in the Family'

Before you cancel your childhood memories, please note that Jackie Chan's foray into adult films was pretty softcore—especially considering the content one can find on HBO and Showtime. "I had to do anything I could to make a living 31 years ago, but I don't think it's a big deal, even Marlon Brando used to be exposed in his movies," Chan reportedly said of the experience. "The porn movie at that time was more conservative than the current films."

4. Helen Mirren: 'Caligula'

There's some debate about whether Caligula counts as pornography, as one could argue that it's an "erotic drama"—but things to note: A) It was produced by Penthouse magazine, and B) It was made with the intention of being explicitly pornographic and features unsimulated sex—which was a point of controversy between the director (who didn't want hardcore scenes) and the production company (who added them). 

Either way, Mirren has no regrets about going nude for the film: "Everyone was naked in that," the actress told People. "It was like showing up for a nudist camp every day. You felt embarrassed if you had your clothes on in that movie." 

5. Sylvester Stallone: 'The Party at Kitty and Stud's'

Back when he was a struggling actor in need of work, Stallone starred in The Party at Kitty and Stud's—which is pretty much your average softcore film about a couple who throw an S&M party (as ya do). "It was either do that movie or rob someone because I was at the end—at the very end—of my rope," he told Playboy in 1978. "Instead of doing something desperate, I worked two days for $200 and got myself out of the bus station."

6. Sasha Grey: 'Masturbation Nation' (and a Bunch of Other Films)

Sasha Grey is a prolific porn star—lending her name to some of the most hardcore content on the internet. But she's also a talented mainstream actress—with credits in The Girlfriend Experience and Entourage, among others. 

7. James Deen: 'Nutz About Butz 2' (and a Bunch of Other Films)

Before he was starring in The Canyons with Lindsay Lohan, James Deen was a porn star featured in several very famous films—including Teen Mom Farrah Abraham's sex tape. #AwkwardMemories 

8. Sibel Kekilli: 'Sextrip'

Kekilli starred in several pornographic films of German origin before reaching stardom for playing Tyrion Lannister's love interest on Game of Thrones. And FYI, she's one of a few adult film actors GOT has cast.

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