10 Adult Film Stars Who Also Appeared in Hollywood Movies

Traci Lords' adult film career caused a huge scandal when it emerged she had been underage at the time. After that storm she managed to reinvent herself as an actress. In John Waters' Cry-Baby, opposite Johnny Depp, she showed she had more to offer than shock value. Later came roles in Blade and TV series like Melrose Place.

Sasha Grey became known in the adult industry for her intense, boundary-pushing style. Director Steven Soderbergh saw a cool, mysterious presence in her and gave her the lead in the drama The Girlfriend Experience, as a high-end escort with an existential emptiness, a surprisingly restrained performance. She later appeared in Entourage and several indie productions.

As one of the best-known adult stars of the '90s, it was inevitable that Jenna Jameson would turn up in mainstream media. She had a cameo in Howard Stern's semi-autobiographical film Private Parts and appeared in other projects, including Family Guy. Not huge roles, but a pop culture icon who brushed against Hollywood.

Chambers was one of the first adult actresses to land a lead role in a cult horror film. In David Cronenberg's Rabid, she plays a woman who develops a deadly bloodthirst after experimental surgery. Cronenberg saw a mix of innocence and sensuality in her and gave her an unexpected stage.

Although Ron Jeremy is best known as an adult film star, he also regularly turned up in mainstream films, including a small role as a mob associate in The Boondock Saints and cameos in many comedies. His image was later destroyed by numerous sexual assault charges; he was eventually declared mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Sunny Leone started in the American adult industry but unexpectedly became a big star in Bollywood. Her first Indian lead role was in the erotic thriller Jism 2, which caused a stir. From there she made a successful career switch and became an established name in India, a rare case of international crossover.

Several adult film performers appear in the wildly over-the-top action film Crank: High Voltage, and Belladonna's brief appearance fit perfectly with the film's absurd tone. For some viewers a moment of recognition, for others a moment of 'wait, was that...?'

One of the most popular adult actresses of the '80s, Ginger Lynn tried her luck in Hollywood with supporting roles in films like Young Guns II and The Devil's Rejects, the latter directed by Rob Zombie, who cast her in small but memorable parts.

Kevin Smith cast the ever-energetic Katie Morgan in his comedy about two friends making an adult film. The film is a wink at the genre itself, and Morgan got plenty of room for self-mockery. She also hosted her own HBO documentary series.

Tera Patrick won countless awards in the adult industry but also appeared in low-budget action films and indie projects. She often plays versions of herself but brings a certain flair some directors specifically look for. Crossing over rarely leads to a lasting A-list career, but these performers show the line isn't impossible to cross.