An Early Porn Pioneer

This young lady was one of the first I ever saw in a porn film and I was immediately drawn to her very exotic, sexy look and of course, her talents. With looks and both sexual and acting talent, she was definitely one of the early pioneers of the New York porn movement.

She was born Linda Marie Mintzer in Williamsport, PA on Sept. 3, 1948 and was raised and did all her schooling there. She came from a conservative family and in her high school yearbook her photo has that “Laura Petrie” look. After graduating and staying around Williamsport for a while, Linda married a local photographer, who went by the name of Jason Russell. Together they moved to New York City and in 1970 Linda enrolled as a student at New York University. Little did she know that things were about to change.

To supplement income while she was in school, they took on the “stage names” of Jason and Tina Russell and began their film careers by appearing in “loops,” which were very short, plotless porn films shown in peepshows in New York’s Times Square porn theaters. They also appeared in a number of “marriage manual” films during the early 1970s. In addition Tina did some nude modeling to supplement their income. They also got involved in doing “live sex shows” in Times Square theaters, but for the most part the sex was simulated. All this got Tina noticed and in the early 70’s she began doing full length porn features.

Jason worked with her in most of them as her sexual partner. However, unbeknownst to Tina, he was also carrying on an affair with porn actress Jean Jennings. Tina filed for and got a divorce from Jason. Her real star status came in 1973 after her memoir, “Porn Star” was published and she talked about her great life in the New York adult industry. She appeared in close to 100 films in her career. They included “All About Sex”, “Birds and the Beads” “Dark Dreams”, “Bedroom Bedlam”, “Whistle Blowers”, “Untamed Desires” and a number of Blue Vanity scenes.

While Tina continued to work into 1981, alcohol had really taken a major toll on her after her divorce. Because of this Tina’s popularity among her co stars, directors, producers and the fans quickly took a nose dive. It was really a shame because Tina had the overall talent, sexually and as an actress to become a major star in the business. If she had gotten some help for her alcohol use there is no telling just how big a star Tina may have become.

In May of 1981 Tina had gone to San Diego to visit her brother. According some who were in the know, she was also ready to seek help for her problem. Unfortunately it would never come. On May 18, Tina Russell died of renal failure at the young age of 33. It was sad, but because of her alcohol problem and not getting the help she needed, it was inevitable this very sexy, talented young lady’s life would come to a tragic end.

She was brought back to Montoursville, Pennsylvania, where the family had her buried under her birth name. In 1985 Tina Russell was posthumously enshrined in the XRCO Hall of Fame. Hopefully one day she will also have her place in the AVN Hall of Fame as well.

She was a beautiful young lady who gave some very erotic, complete performances in her films, many which are on DVD now. If you have never seen Tina Russell, one of porn’s early bright lights, look for some of her films, you will not be disappointed.

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