Actor
Maria Tortuga
Born September 14, 1949 in Seattle, Washington, USA
Died November 3, 201443 films
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.
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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.
Filmography
43 films as actor- 2004Golden Age of Porn: Annette Haven
- 1987The Vanessa Obsession
- 1986Taxi Girls 2The Maid
- 1986Bisexual FantasiesVanessa
- 1985For Services RenderedNocturna Vigil
- 1985Sounds of SexBrunette
- 1984I Wanna Be Teased!Tina
- 1984Love to MotherMichelle
- 1984Deep GhostThe Maid
- 1984Heat of the MomentJeep Thief
- 1984Cherry Ettes For Hire
- 1984Let Me Tell Ya 'Bout White Chicks
- 1983Why Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
- 1983A Lacy Affair
- 1983Nude Aerobics
- 1983Loving Lesbos
- 1983Bad GirlMaria
- 1983Young and RestlessJenny
- 1983Burning Desire
- 1982Pleasure DomeMaria
- 1982InspirationsPiglette's Maid
- 1982Love Goddesses
- 1982The New Erotic Adventures of Casanova 2Girl in the News
- 1982What Would Your Mother Say?
- 1982Intimate LessonsMonica Mock
- 1982ForeplaySocial Worker
- 1982UndercoversThird Girl on Couch (uncredited)
- 1981Never So DeepBrandy Wine
- 1981SkintightMaria
- 1981Trouble Down BelowCarol (uncredited)
- 1980Plato's: The MovieVicky
- 1980The Satisfiers of Alpha BluePregnancy Pass Girl / Orgy Girl
- 1980BallgameThe Beavers
- 1980The Sensuous Detective
- 1980Weekend FantasyPussy
- 1980Night Flight
- 1980Hot Love
- 1979JezebelGypsy
- 1979Pink ChampagneTap Dancer
- 1979Frat HouseWilcox' Daughter
- 1978Remember Connie
- 1978Susie's Bed
- 1978Carnal Encounters of the Barest KindBrunette Frog