Sasha Grey (born Marina Ann Hantzis on March 14, 1988) is an American performer known for a career that spans adult entertainment, mainstream film and television, experimental music, modeling and published writing. She first attracted wide attention as a performer in adult films, and later sought roles and projects outside that industry. She has discussed her sexuality publicly and is known as an openly bisexual figure in popular culture.

Early life and entrance into performance

Grey grew up in the Sacramento area of California. As a teenager she pursued acting, dance and music lessons, and after turning 18 she began working in adult films in Los Angeles. Her early work in that industry brought rapid notoriety and opened opportunities to explore creative outlets beyond adult entertainment.

Mainstream acting and modeling

Beginning in the late 2000s, Grey began to appear in independent and mainstream projects. She is perhaps best known for a leading role in a high-profile independent film, and since then has taken on a mixture of small-screen and independent film parts, as well as editorial and commercial modeling. For an overview of her screen credits and projects, see filmography and press.

Music, writing and other creative work

Grey has pursued music both as a DJ and as a member of experimental projects; she has released music with collaborators and appeared in music videos. She has also published work in print: a photographic book titled Neü Sex was released in 2011, and in 2013 she published an erotic novel, The Juliette Society. For information on her published work and artistic collaborations, consult selected publications.

Public image and cultural discussion

Grey's career is often discussed in the context of artists who transition from adult entertainment to mainstream media. Commentators note her efforts to control her public image and to expand into different creative fields. She has given interviews about creative freedom, sexual identity and the challenges of changing public perception; a selection of interviews and statements is available at interviews and features.

Notable works and context

  • The Girlfriend Experience (notable independent film role)
  • Neü Sex (photobook, 2011)
  • The Juliette Society (novel, 2013)
  • Music and DJ projects, including collaborative experimental releases

Sasha Grey's career illustrates the varied paths a public figure can take after early fame in adult entertainment: she has worked to build a presence across film, music, writing and fashion, and remains a subject of interest in discussions about media, sexuality and the boundaries between adult and mainstream culture.