Maria Tortuga
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
Credits
- 2008 · Seka Triple Feature 2 as
- 2005 · Tawny Pearl Collection as (archive footage)
- 2004 · Golden Age of Porn: Annette Haven as
- 2003 · John Holmes: The Lost Tapes as (archive footage)
- 1989 · Ginger Lynn & Company as (archive footage)
- 1987 · The Vanessa Obsession as
- 1986 · Taxi Girls 2 as The Maid
- 1986 · Voyeur's Delight as (archive footage)
- 1986 · Bisexual Fantasies as Vanessa
- 1985 · For Services Rendered as Nocturna Vigil
- 1985 · Sounds of Sex as Brunette
- 1984 · I Wanna Be Teased! as Tina
- 1984 · Love to Mother as Michelle
- 1984 · Scared Stiff as The Maid
- 1984 · Heat of the Moment as Jeep Thief
- 1984 · Cherry Ettes For Hire as
- 1984 · Let Me Tell Ya 'Bout White Chicks as
- 1983 · Why Gentlemen Prefer Blondes as
- 1983 · A Lacy Affair as
- 1983 · Nude Aerobics as
- 1983 · Loving Lesbos as
- 1983 · Bad Girl as Maria
- 1983 · Young and Restless as Jenny
- 1983 · Burning Desire as
- 1982 · Pleasure Dome as Maria
- 1982 · Inspirations as
- 1982 · Love Goddesses as
- 1982 · What Would Your Mother Say? as
- 1982 · The New Erotic Adventures of Casanova 2 as Girl in the News
- 1982 · Intimate Lessons as Monica Mock
- 1982 · Foreplay as Social Worker
- 1982 · Undercovers as Third Girl on Couch (uncredited)
- 1981 · Never So Deep as Brandy Wine
- 1981 · Skintight as Maria
- 1981 · Trouble Down Below as Carol (uncredited)
- 1980 · Plato's: The Movie as Vicky
- 1980 · The Satisfiers of Alpha Blue as Pregnancy Pass Girl / Orgy Girl
- 1980 · Ballgame as The Beavers
- 1980 · The Sensuous Detective as
- 1980 · Weekend Fantasy as Pussy
- 1980 · Night Flight as
- 1980 · Hot Love as
- 1979 · Jezebel as Gypsy
- 1979 · Pink Champagne as Tap Dancer
- 1979 · Frat House as Wilcox' Daughter
- 1978 · Remember Connie as
- 1978 · Susie's Bed as
- 1978 · Carnal Encounters of the Barest Kind as Brunette Frog