Biography
Maria Tortuga was born on September 14, 1949 in Seattle, Washington. Her mother was a member of the first Mexican folk dance company in the United States. Maria grew up in a family with three other siblings. Following graduation from high school Tortuga moved to California to pursue her interest in conceptual art. Maria studied with feminist artist Judy Chicago at the nonprofit arts and education center the Woman's Building in Los Angeles. In addition, Tortuga also studied both Spanish and flamenco dancing with renowned performer Roberto Amaral in the late 1970's as well as served as the flamenco soloist in the Layalina Folkloric Ensemble. After graduating with an MFA, Maria went on to work for many years as the principal designer at local carpet mills. Tortuga decided to supplement her income and express herself sexually by doing hardcore loops and modeling for assorted men's magazines (she often posed for photos with a bondage motif). Maria began appearing in explicit hardcore movies in the late 1970's; among the notable adult cinema directors she worked for are Gerard Damiano, William Margold, Don Christian, David Worth, Ed De Priest, Alan Colberg, and Vinnie Rossi. After retir…
Movies & TV Shows
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The Satisfiers of Alpha Blue (1980) — Pregnancy Pass Girl / Orgy Girl
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Frat House (1979) — Wilcox' Daughter
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Ballgame (1980) — The Beavers
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Intimate Lessons (1982) — Monica Mock
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Plato's: The Movie (1980) — Vicky
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Skintight (1981) — Maria
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Taxi Girls 2 (1986) — The Maid
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Love Goddesses (1982)
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The New Erotic Adventures of Casanova 2 (1982) — Girl in the News
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Never So Deep (1981) — Brandy Wine
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Deep Ghost (1984) — The Maid
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I Wanna Be Teased! (1984) — Tina
- Remember Connie (1978)
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The Vanessa Obsession (1987)
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For Services Rendered (1985) — Nocturna Vigil
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Love to Mother (1984) — Michelle
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Foreplay (1982) — Social Worker
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Inspirations (1982) — Piglette's Maid
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Let Me Tell Ya 'Bout White Chicks (1984)
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Nude Aerobics (1983)
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Loving Lesbos (1983)
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Tawny Pearl Collection (2005) — (archive footage)
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Pleasure Dome (1982) — Maria
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Jezebel (1979) — Gypsy
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A Lacy Affair (1983)
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Carnal Encounters of the Barest Kind (1978) — Brunette Frog
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Pink Champagne (1979) — Tap Dancer
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The Sensuous Detective (1980)
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Bad Girl (1983) — Maria
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Weekend Fantasy (1980) — Pussy
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Trouble Down Below (1981) — Carol (uncredited)
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Undercovers (1982) — Third Girl on Couch (uncredited)
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Ginger Lynn & Company (1989) — (archive footage)
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Voyeur's Delight (1986) — (archive footage)
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Heat of the Moment (1984) — Jeep Thief
- Cherry Ettes For Hire (1984)
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Night Flight (1980)
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Young and Restless (1983) — Jenny
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Sounds of Sex (1985) — Brunette
- Hot Love (1980)