Sasha Grey (born Marina Ann Hantzis on March 14, 1988, in North Highlands, California) is perhaps the most intellectually celebrated performer to ever emerge from adult entertainment. Of Greek, English, Irish, and Polish descent, she approached the industry with an artistic seriousness that earned her both controversy and admiration. The New York Times noted her career was distinguished by both the extremity of her performances and an unusual degree of intellectual seriousness about doing them.

Grey graduated high school at 17 and briefly attended Sacramento City College studying film, dance, and acting before moving to Los Angeles at 18 in 2006. Her debut in "Fashionistas Safado: The Challenge" immediately signaled she was different. By 2008, at just 19, she became the youngest performer ever to win the AVN Female Performer of the Year award. She would accumulate 15 industry awards between 2007 and 2010, appearing in over 200 films.

Her intellectual approach attracted mainstream attention. Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh cast her as the lead in "The Girlfriend Experience" (2009) after reading a profile about her in Los Angeles magazine. She appeared in HBO's "Entourage," starred in horror films "Smash Cut" and "Would You Rather," and continued acting in projects like "Open Windows" with Elijah Wood. Genesis magazine voted her #1 on their "Porn's Hot 100" list in 2009.

Grey retired from adult films at 21 in 2009, officially announcing in April 2011. She co-founded the industrial band aTelecine, published the photo book "Neu Sex" and the erotic novel trilogy "The Juliette Society," modeled for American Apparel and Max Azria, graced two Playboy covers, and continues working as a DJ and content creator. Her 2023 dual induction into both the AVN and XRCO Halls of Fame cemented her legacy as a true crossover icon.