Vanessa del Rio (born March 31, 1952) is an American retired pornographic actress.
Early years
Vanessa del Rio was born Ana María Sánchez[2] and raised in Harlem, New York, the only child of immigrants from Cuba and Puerto Rico. Her mother would take her to see the Spanish language movies of Isabel Sarli, a passionate, voluptuous Argentinian actress with a charismatic power over men whom Vanessa credits as a big influence in her life.[3] She describes her mother as "an innocent, deeply religious woman who didn't really relate to Sarli's sexuality," [4] while her young daughter focused on Sarli's power over men, and wanted that power for herself. After an early childhood as religious as her mother's, Sanchez dropped out of school in the 8th grade, tired of the sheltered life imposed on her at home. She studied coding, and became a computer programmer at age 18, then abandoned the straight life altogether to live in a series of stolen Volkswagen Beetles with a criminal boyfriend.[5] When that adventure ended two years later she became "a waitress, then a topless barmaid, and finally a go-go dancer" before accepting her first hardcore porn role in the film China Doll because "it paid $150, which was exactly my half of the rent,"[6][7] so she could join a boyfriend in Europe. In her illustrated biography from TASCHEN Publications (Vanessa del Rio: Fifty Years of Slightly Slutty Behavior, 2007) she revealed to editor Dian Hanson that she also worked as a streetwalker and call girl[8][9] prior to entering adult films.
Career
For her stage name, she took the name "Vanessa" from a childhood friend and "del Rio" from actress Dolores del Río at the suggestion of another friend who was a movie buff.[10]
Del Rio made her first adult film in 1974.[11] In a span of 12 years, she appeared in 81 pornographic films[6] and countless "loops" – 10 minute film clips produced for use in sex shop peep shows.
Del Rio retired from adult films in 1986, in part due to the AIDS scare prevalent at the time.[3][6] She then worked as a feature dancer and magazine model.[6] After that she used her coding skills to create her own website, produce original content, continued to appear in magazines, and made special appearances at award shows and conventions.
TV / Film appearances
During and after her porn career she appeared on many TV shows as herself, including a 1996 episode of NYPD Blue titled "Head Case" (Season 3, episode #15).[12][13] In 2008, she made a cameo opposite Bernie Mac as the amorous "full-figured neighbor" in the film Soul Men, which also co-starred Samuel L. Jackson.[14]
In 2007, the German art book publisher TASCHEN released a deluxe, heavily illustrated biography, Vanessa del Rio: Fifty Years of Slightly Slutty Behavior edited by del Rio's long time friend Dian Hanson.[15][16]
A feature film, The Latin from Manhattan, based on del Rio's life, written and directed by Thomas Mignone, and starring Vivian Lamolli as del Rio began production in 2019.[17][18][19]
The Czech EBM band Vanessa was originally named Vanessa Del Rio in an allusion to the adult film star.[20] They have since mentioned her in several interviews, as well as songs.
Filmography
China Doll (1975) uncredited
Too Young to Care (1975) uncredited
Midnight Desires (1976), Lola
The Night of Submission (1976), Venessa del Rio
Dominatrix Without Mercy (1976), Venessa del Rio
Virgin Snow (1976), Nurse Ratched
Jacquette (1976), Madame X
Domination Blue (1976), Trixie
The Fury in Alice (1976), Marilyn
Temptations (1976), Marla
Reunion (1976), Elizabeth
That Lady From Rio (1976), Number 1
Come with Me My Love (1976), Lola
Sin of Lust (1976), Carlotta
Gulp (1976), Anna
Forbidden Ways (1976), uncredited
Come Softly (1976), June
Bizzare Moods (1976), Norma
Appointment With Agony (1976), Waitress
Odyssey: The Ultimate Trip (1977), first girl in dream
