Sasha Grey

Sasha Grey: biography

Marina Ann Hantzis better known under the pseudonym Sasha Grey was born on March 14, 1988 in Sacramento, California. Her father was a Greek by origin and worked as a mechanic in a garage, and her mother took care of the household and children. When she was five years old, her parents filed for divorce. Alexander stayed with her mother and her parents’ separation was a pretty tough thing for her.

The girl attended comprehensive school and was fond of dancing. When Marina was twelve, it was the first time she thought about movie career after watching «Fahrenheit 451". Hantzis wanted to make her dream come true, and joined school theatre class, where she was given a list of films to watch. But from the entire list Gray could get only "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" as there were no other films at a local video store.

In 2000, Sasha's mother met another man who made her a marriage proposal. After their wedding, the family moved to the south of the United States. The relationship with her stepfather went wrong. After four years of her mother’s marriage Gray was going to leave the house, as she couldn’t take it anymore. But Sasha’s mother acted differently. She packed her bags and went back to Sacramento with children.

The girl graduated from high school in 2005, then went to college. In her spare time she worked as a waitress in a cafe, saving money in order to move to another city. In 2006, when Grey reached the age of majority she moved to Los Angeles.

In 2007, she started modeling. Her first job in this area was the photo shoot for the cover of "The Smashing Pumpkins" band, with whom she starred in one of their videos. In future, she has modeled for French fashion designer Max Azria's, for footwear brand Forfex and for pet sterilization program "PETA". In 2010, the popular men's magazine "Playboy" has made big photo session with Gray, and put her photo on the cover. 

Porn Industry

In 2006, Marina Hantzis moved to Los Angeles to begin her career in "adult movies." She met Mark Spigler, who became her manager. The girl chose the stage name "Sasha Grey". Originally she planned to be "Anna Karina", but her agent advised her to choose another name.

“Adult Movies” became a launching pad for the actress. She appeared in a large number of films and because of her candid interviews, where Sasha wasn’t not ashamed to talk about her job, she become well-known not only among the admirers of her job. Even people who didn’t watch “Adult Movies” knew her and talked about the girl.

Peak of Sasha’s popularity was in 2007, and the girl appeared on TV very often. She participated in many TV shows, including programs with Tyra Banks where Sasha expressed her opinion on the participation of young people in the adult film industry. In the show, the actress was portrayed as a victim, but Sasha denied any negative effects of her job and said that it was her conscious choice, which she didn’t not regret.

The girl is also often invited to the shootings of the other porn movies. In 2009 she made her debut in a low-budget comedy “Smash cut”, where she played a journalist, who investigated violent crimes. In the same year, the actress made her debut as a producer of the film “M.O. of M.I.”. Sasha appeared on television in the series “Entourage”, playing a girlfriend of Vince Chase.

Considerable fame and popularity came to the actress after film “Girlfriend”, where she played the starring role. This film was directed by Steven Soderbergh, who decided that Sasha was the most suitable actress for his project and invited her to play the role of Chelsea. The film released in 2009 and received mixed reviews from critics. Some people criticized her acting while others were surprised by the level of talent this girl had.

In 2008, Sasha created her own agency "LA Factory Girls", which represented her interests, as well as interests of aspiring actress.

New stage

By 2011, Gray refused to shoot in porn, and continued to act in films for wide audience. Sasha appeared in a low-budget comedy\horror film "I melt with you" as well as in the Indonesian horror film "Pocong mandi goyang pinggul"

After her career as a porn actress Grey began to develop in other areas of show business. Particularly, in 2011, she published an art album "Neu Sex", containing previously unpublished photos of Gray, which she hesitated to show. In 2013, she released her first erotic novel "Juliette Society", which became popular among female audiences.

Sasha Grey participates in public life. She starred in social video, advocating equal rights between men and women. Gray has become a popular pop cultural symbol, many youth bands dedicated songs to her.

Sasha Grey is talented not just in starring in films. In 2008, together with her friend Pablo Francis, she founded band "aTelecine", playing industrial music. Artist herself describes the band's style as "experimental psychedelic des-dub." In three years the band released three mini-albums and in 2011 aTelecine's first full-length album “The Falcon and the Pod” was released. Gray also participated in recording albums for «Current 93" and "Throbbing Gristle" bands. In 2013, it was reported that Alexander left the band.

Sasha also often plays in clubs as a DJ in the United States and countries she visits during her work including Russia.

Personal life

Star shares the details of his personal life very seldom. Instead she prefers to quote classics or discuss socially significant topics.

However, in one interview she let slip that she has a boyfriend (whose name Sasha keeps in secret), and it is possible that some time later she will be ready to create a family and have children.

Filmography

• The Girlfriend Experience
• Smash Cut
• I Melt With You
• Pocong mandi goyang pinggul
• Would You Rather
• Skinny Dip
• Open Windows
• The Scribbler

Photo