Linda Lovelace
Lovelace at the height of her fame, c. 1973 | |
| Born | Template:Birth date |
|---|---|
| Died | Template:Death date and age |
| Occupation | Actress, Author, Activist |
| Years active | 1969–1975 (Film) |
| Known for | Deep Throat, Ordeal |
Overview
[edit]Linda Lovelace (born Linda Susan Boreman; January 10, 1949 – April 22, 2002) was an American adult film actress who became a worldwide cultural icon following the 1972 release of Deep Throat.
Later in life, she became a prominent critic of the adult industry and a spokesperson for the anti-pornography movement. Her 1980 autobiography, Ordeal, detailed allegations of extreme abuse and coercion during the production of her most famous film, fundamentally changing the public and legal discourse surrounding the industry.
Early Life and Deep Throat
[edit]Born in the Bronx, New York, Boreman moved to Florida where she met Chuck Traynor, who would become her husband and manager.
In 1972, under the pseudonym Linda Lovelace, she starred in Deep Throat. The film’s unprecedented success turned her into a mainstream celebrity; she was photographed by Annie Leibovitz for Rolling Stone and became a frequent guest on the national talk show circuit.
The Turning Point: "Ordeal"
[edit]In 1980, after divorcing Traynor and retiring from the industry, Lovelace published her memoir, Ordeal. In the book, she made several shocking claims:
- She asserted that she was held captive and forced into performing in Deep Throat under threat of physical violence.
- She stated that Traynor used a handgun to coerce her and that her "smile" on screen was actually a mask of terror.
- She famously told the press: "When you see that movie, you are watching me being raped."
Activism and Feminism
[edit]Following the publication of her book, Lovelace became a hero to the anti-pornography feminist movement of the 1980s.
- She worked closely with activists Gloria Steinem, Andrea Dworkin, and Catharine MacKinnon.
- In 1986, she testified before the Meese Commission (the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography), providing a first-hand account of the dangers she believed were inherent in the industry.
Later Life and Death
[edit]Lovelace eventually remarried, moved to Long Island, and lived a private life as a mother and medical assistant. She underwent a liver transplant in the 1980s and struggled with health issues for several years.
She died on April 22, 2002, in Denver, Colorado, following a car accident.
Media Depictions
[edit]- Inside Deep Throat (2005): A documentary exploring the legacy of her film and her subsequent activism.
- Lovelace (2013): A biographical drama starring Amanda Seyfried as Linda and Peter Sarsgaard as Chuck Traynor.