We begin this new year of 2017 with a name that I know, will have you saying, “Who?”. However, while she only spent about three years in the business, Kristine Heller had some major roles in some future porn classics, several of which are in the XRCO and AVN Hall of Fame.

Kristine Heller was born and raised in Australia. She came to the U.S. as a teen and wound up in San Francisco. She was 5’2”, perky, natural breasts, a sexy figure, a great smile and very seductive eyes. She began her career performing on the stage in San Francisco and that would lead to her entry into porn.

She entered into the porn scene in 1975 and was one of the  Frisco mainstays in the early days of porn. Like many in the area she worked for the Mitchell Brothers, as well as others, in her film career. She had a perfect mix of young innocence to go along with hard edged sexuality that was incredible on screen, and on set.

One thing that may be confusing regarding Kristine is that she used a variety of “show biz” names during her relatively short career. Among them were Paula Thomas, Cindy Johnson, Kathy Thomas, Abigal Mercy, Kathy Carlton Finlay McGuire and others. It is said that she never used a stage name more than twice.

As for her brief career she Kristine was cast in many important supporting roles. Among the films she can be seen in are the 1976 classic “Mary! Mary!” with Constance Money. She also appeared in Antonio Shepherd’s “7 into Snowy”, the adult re-telling of the classical fairy tale. Here she played a maid to the evil step-mother (Kay Parker).

Kristine’s break out role came in 1977 when she appeared in Alex de Renzy’s “Baby Face” where she played Marina Randolph, a nympho who takes on 9 men in the famous orgy on the swing. This film is considered one of Ms. Heller’s best acting roles. She also appeared in another classic, Michael Zen’s “Reflections” also in 1977 billed as Paula Thomas playing Connie, a coming-of-age sister of Bob played by Paul Thomas, who was her boyfriend for a time.

Kristine retired from the adult industry in 1978, leaving behind almost 30 movies and loops. In 1999 Paul Thomas directed a movie titled “The Awakening”. In that film, the main character, played by Inari Vachs, is based on Kristine Heller. After leaving the industry, no one  knew where she had gone or what she was doing.  In 1989 Kristine Heller passed away at the young age of 39. She committed suicide but the facts surrounding her death have remained private. But the fact is that while her name may not be a household one in porn annals, she made major contributions in porn’s real golden age of the 70’s. with her performances.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN