Vanessa del Rio

Ana María Sánchez (born March 31, 1952 is an American retired pornographic film actress.

Early life Del Rio was born March 31, 1952, and raised in the New York neighborhood of Harlem, the only child of a Puerto Rican mother and an Afro-Cuban father. 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. She describes her mother as "an innocent, deeply religious woman who didn't really relate to Sarli's sexuality."

Del Rio attended Catholic school before leaving home as a teenager. so she could join a boyfriend in Europe.

In her illustrated biography from Taschen, she revealed to editor Dian Hanson that she also worked as a streetwalker and call girl 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.

Del Rio made her first adult film in 1974. In a span of 12 years, she appeared in 81 pornographic films

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.

Popular culture She has been mentioned in lyrics by several rap artists, including Chubb Rock's "Just the Two of Us", Gangsta Boo's "Fuck You", The Game's "House of Pain", Ice Cube's "Roll All Day" and "Giving Up The Nappy Dug Out" on Death Certificate, Digital Underground's "Freaks of the Industry" on their debut studio album Sex Packets, and Junior Mafia's 1995 single "I Need You Tonight" and "Get Money". She had a cameo in the "Get Money" music video.

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.

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.

The Czech EBM band Vanessa was originally named Vanessa Del Rio in an allusion to the adult film star. 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 Joy of Humiliation (1977), Elena House of De Sade (1977), Lucille McLain Cherry Hustlers (1977), Sally Teenage Bikers (1977), Wolf Breaker Beauties (1977), photo lady Joint Venture (1977), uncredited The Fire in Francesca (1977), Nadine Rothman Tell, Teach and Show (1977), Mrs. LaGrange Exploring Young Girls (1977), Vanessa Let Me Die a Woman (1977), Sandy (uncredited) Chorus Call (1978), uncredited Take Off (1978), uncredited Woman in Love (1978), Simone Foster The Final Test (1978), Claudia Dirty Deeds (1978), uncredited Babylon Pink (1979), Housewife N.Y. Babes (1979), Jackie Robbins Jack & Jill (1979), Rosetta Tigresses and Other Man-eaters (1979), Tigress Her Name Was Lisa (1979), Carmen The Pink Ladies (1979), Seductress Fulfilling Young Cups (1979), Rita Angie, Police Woman (1979), girl on parachute Justine: A Matter of Innocence (1980), Claudia Kendall Co-Ed Fever (1980), Vannessa Afternoon Delights (1980), Mrs. Smith Dracula Exotica (1980), Vita Valdez The Filthy Rich (1980), Chili Caliente Girls U.S.A. (1980), Sherry Spencer A Scent of Heather (1980), the cook Platinum Paradise (1981), hooker Spittoon (1981), uncredited The Tale of Tiffany Lust (1981), Florence Nightingale Bizarre Styles (1981), Vanessa The Love-In Arrangement (1981), Chiquita The Dancers (1981), Frances Lips (1981), Maria Between the Sheets (1981), Shirley Beauty (1981), Judy Lopez Foxtrot (1982), Celeste Top Secret (1982), Juanita Real Estate (1982) Luscious (1982), Lush When She Was Bad (1983), Judy Silk Satin & Sex (1983), Denise Foxholes (1983), Vanessa del Rio Corruption (1983), Erda Aphrodisia's Diary (1983), therapist Sister Midnight (1984) Viva Vanessa (1984), herself Maid In Manhattan (1984), Juanita Blue Voodoo (1984), uncredited The Devil in Miss Jones 3: A New Beginning (1986), herself Play Me Again Vanessa (1986), herself Deep Inside Vanessa del Rio (1987), herself Beyond Desire (1986), Crystal Dynamic Vices (1987), Roxanne Doctor Lust (1987), Dr. Lana Lust Soul Men (2008), full-figured neighbor

Selected television appearances NYPD Blue as herself, in the episode "Head Case" (1996) When Rated X Ruled the World as herself, in a VH1 documentary (2004) SexTV as herself, in the episode "UFO Sex: The Raelians/Jackinworld.com/Vanessa del Rio" (2005) Dave's Old Porn Season 2 Episode 4 Artie Lange, Vanessa Del Rio as herself (2012)

Awards CAFA Award for Best Supporting Actress of 1980 – Dracula exotica CAFA Award for Best Supporting Actress of 1981 – Dancers X-Rated Critics Organization – Hall of Fame Free Speech Coalition Lifetime Achievement Award Urban X Hall of Fame