Maria Tortuga

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

September 14, 1949

Died

November 3, 2014 (age 65)

Place of Birth

Seattle, Washington, USA

Also Known As

Mana La Fantuna

Brenda Hale

Maria Tartuga

Marie Tortuga

Robin Comings

Maria Tortuga

Biography

Maria Tortuga was born on September 14, 1949 in Seattle, Washington. Her mother was a member of the first Mexican folk dance company in the United States. Maria grew up in a family with three other siblings. Following graduation from high school Tortuga moved to California to pursue her interest in conceptual art. Maria studied with feminist artist Judy Chicago at the nonprofit arts and education center the Woman's Building in Los Angeles. In addition, Tortuga also studied both Spanish and flamenco dancing with renowned performer Roberto Amaral in the late 1970's as well as served as the flamenco soloist in the Layalina Folkloric Ensemble. After graduating with an MFA, Maria went on to work for many years as the principal designer at local carpet mills. Tortuga decided to supplement her income and express herself sexually by doing hardcore loops and modeling for assorted men's magazines (she often posed for photos with a bondage motif). Maria began appearing in explicit hardcore movies in the late 1970's; among the notable adult cinema directors she worked for are Gerard Damiano, William Margold, Don Christian, David Worth, Ed De Priest, Alan Colberg, and Vinnie Rossi. After retiring from the adult film industry in 1987, Maria decided to follow her key passion for dancing full time by moving to Chicago, Illinois and changing her name to Maria Gitana. Tortuga studied with the Spanish Dance Society and traveled over to Europe to dance for a while at Amor de Dios with Maria Magdalena, who was the Ballet Mistress of the Ballet Nacional de Espana. Maria was awarded a grant to study classical Spanish dance with Spanish Dance Society founding member Dame Marina Keet in 1992. After achieving the status of Maestra de Baile with the Spanish Dance Society, Tortuga returned to Chicago and started the flamenco dance troupe Manteca Colora. Maria moved back to her home state of Washington to be closer to her aging parents in 1998 and started the performing dance troupe Flamenco Gitana in 2004. Moreover, Tortuga taught dance and pilates at several local schools and community centers. Starting in 2010 Maria was the recipient of several Youth Arts Awards from the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture Affairs. Tortuga used the associated grant to establish cultural arts programs in flamenco dance at local youth centers. Maria also did the choreography for a number of local theater productions. Tortuga died from cancer at age 65 on November 3, 2014.

Known For

Filmography

2005FilmTawny Pearl Collectionas (archive footage)2005FilmColleen Brennan Collectionas (archive footage)2004FilmGolden Age of Porn: Annette Haven2003FilmJohn Holmes: The Lost Tapesas (archive footage)1989FilmGinger Lynn & Companyas (archive footage)1987FilmThe Vanessa Obsession1986FilmTaxi Girls 2as The Maid1986FilmVoyeur's Delightas (archive footage)1986FilmBisexual Fantasiesas Vanessa1985FilmFor Services Renderedas Nocturna Vigil1985FilmSounds of Sexas Brunette1984FilmI Wanna Be Teased!as Tina1984FilmLove to Motheras Michelle1984FilmDeep Ghostas The Maid1984FilmHeat of the Momentas Jeep Thief1984FilmCherry Ettes For Hire1984FilmLet Me Tell Ya 'Bout White Chicks1983FilmWhy Gentlemen Prefer Blondes1983FilmA Lacy Affair1983FilmNude Aerobics1983FilmLoving Lesbos1983FilmBad Girlas Maria1983FilmYoung and Restlessas Jenny1983FilmBurning Desire1982FilmPleasure Domeas Maria1982FilmInspirationsas Piglette's Maid1982FilmLove Goddesses1982FilmThe New Erotic Adventures of Casanova 2as Girl in the News1982FilmWhat Would Your Mother Say?1982FilmIntimate Lessonsas Monica Mock1982FilmForeplayas Social Worker1982FilmUndercoversas Third Girl on Couch (uncredited)1981FilmNever So Deepas Brandy Wine1981FilmSkintightas Maria1981FilmTrouble Down Belowas Carol (uncredited)1980FilmPlato's: The Movieas Vicky1980FilmThe Satisfiers of Alpha Blueas Pregnancy Pass Girl / Orgy Girl1980FilmBallgameas The Beavers1980FilmThe Sensuous Detective1980FilmWeekend Fantasyas Pussy1980FilmNight Flight1980FilmHot Love1979FilmJezebelas Gypsy1979FilmPink Champagneas Tap Dancer1979FilmFrat Houseas Wilcox' Daughter1978FilmRemember Connie1978FilmSusie's Bed1978FilmCarnal Encounters of the Barest Kindas Brunette Frog

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