Beautiful and capable adult film actress Abigail Clayton was born in New York City June 13, 1960. Very little is known about her growing up years or about her family life. However, when it comes to her time in adult there is quite a bit of information about this star from porn’s golden age.
Abigail who was just 5’ tall, was a youthful-looking brunette with small perky breasts, lovely big eyes, a luscious frame, auburn hair, silky skin and a slight overbite that played very sexy. She was much more than just a female who did sex on screen. Abigail made her debut in 1976 in the film “Dixie” a coming of age themed film which received critical acclaim and made her a much wanted star. Not only was she sexually terrific, but it also became quite evident she had training as a serious actress. She could deliver dialogue in a very convincing and believable way and got into the character she was portraying. Having this amount of talent helped with her immediate call to stardom.
Some of the great classics that Abigail Clayton starred in include “Sex World” in which she showed off her sexual skills with another woman in a smoldering scene with Leslie Bovee. In my humble opinion I think one of her very best starring roles, both sexually and as an actress, was the highly acclaimed “Seven Into Snowy” (one of my all time favorites) with the delectable Kay Parker. In addition Ms. Clayton graced the screen in other great films like “Naked Afternoon” and “Desires Within Young Girls” and “Femmes De Sade” among them.
Because of her skills as an actress Ms. Clayton also appeared in a few mainstream movies as well under the name Gail Lawrence. She co starred alongside Gérard Depardieu in 1978’s “Bye Bye Monkey” and was especially memorable as a hapless model who gets brutally murdered by vicious psychotic Joe Spinelli in the notorious horror slasher cult favorite from 1980, “Maniac”. In 1981 she also had a part as a nun in the Ryan O’ Neal comedy “So Fine” (1981).
By now Abigail Clayton just literally disappeared from adult view altogether leaving behind a reputation as one of the most sensual women to ever grace the adult film industry. This very talented woman only did about 45 films during her time in porn, but in her brief adult career left behind some classic performances that will always be remembered and enjoyed.
Thankfully many of those films have been remastered and are now available on DVD. Ms. Clayton, who would now be just 56, was inducted into the XRCO Hall of Fame in 2008. How she has not yet been inducted into the AVN hall of Fame is a mystery, but hopefully that will be corrected as it is where she belongs. It is believed by some she may be living back on the east coast where she grew up. If you have not yet had the pleasure of seeing any of Abigail Clayton’s golden age performances, be sure to check out the films we have mentioned and others as you will be in for a wonderful treat.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
