Sasha Grey

Sasha Grey, born Marina Ann Hantzis on March 14, 1988, in North Highlands, California, is a multifaceted American artist known for her diverse career in various fields.

Early Life and Education

Grey grew up in Sacramento, California, in a working-class family. Her parents divorced before she started middle school, and she was raised by her mother, who remarried in 2000. Grey attended four high schools and graduated a year early at the age of 17. She then attended Sacramento City College, taking classes in film, dance, and acting before moving to Los Angeles in 200623.

Career in Adult Films

Grey began her career in the adult film industry shortly after her 18th birthday in 2006. She quickly gained prominence, winning 15 awards between 2007 and 2010, including the AVN Award for Female Performer of the Year in 2008. She appeared in approximately 224 adult films, including re-releases, before announcing her retirement from the adult industry in 2009 at the age of 21234.

Transition to Mainstream Entertainment

After leaving the adult film industry, Grey transitioned to mainstream acting. Her feature film debut was in Steven Soderbergh's The Girlfriend Experience in 2009, where she played the lead role of Chelsea, an escort. She has since appeared in various independent films, including Open Windows, Smash Cut, and Would You Rather. Grey also had a role in the HBO series Entourage, playing a fictionalized version of herself234.

Music and Writing

Grey is a co-founder, singer, and writer of the industrial music band aTelecine, although she left the band in 2013. She has also collaborated with other music projects, such as recording an album with Death In Vegas titled Transmission. In 2013, she published her first novel, The Juliette Society, which was successful in 25 countries. She has also published a book of photographs titled NEÜ SEX234.

Other Ventures

Grey is an active DJ and tours internationally. She has appeared in several music videos, including those for The Smashing Pumpkins, The Roots, and Eminem. She has also voiced characters in video games such as Saints Row: The Third and Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell234.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Grey has Greek, English, Polish, and Irish ancestry. She is a strong advocate for education and has spoken out against illiteracy. She regularly expresses her views on social media and has been involved in various charitable efforts, including donating profits from her merchandise to victims of fires in Los Angeles235.

In 2023, Grey was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame and the XRCO Hall of Fame, recognizing her contributions to the adult film industry2.