Veronica Hart

Jane Hamilton (born ) is an American film director and former pornographic film actress who performed under the stage name Veronica Hart. Described by columnist Frank Rich as "a leading porn star of the late '70s and early '80s", Hart is a member of the AVN Hall of Fame. Director Paul Thomas Anderson has called her "the Meryl Streep of porn."

Early life and education Hart was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in theater arts. After school she worked in England before returning to the United States and moving to New York City. She is best known for her performances in Amanda by Night, Wanda Whips Wall Street, Roommates and A Scent of Heather.

Around 1984, Hart began directing segments on the Playboy TV series Electric Blue, appearing in B movies and working as a stripper to support her family. After retiring from performing in pornographic films, Hart became an executive at film distributor VCA Pictures. For VCA, Hart directed a series of comeback features for friend and fellow pornographic film actress Ginger Lynn. With the sale of VCA to Hustler Video in 2003, and the direction of the company moving from feature, storyline-driven films to gonzo, she left the company when her existing contract expired. Afterwards, Hart moved on to other work, including working as a tour guide at the Erotic Heritage Museum in Las Vegas. and The Deep Throat Sex Scandal.

She has also made appearances in non-pornographic films. She played "Telephone Trixie" in Ruby and a judge in the film Boogie Nights (1997), directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.

Personal life Hart has two sons who attended magnet schools for highly gifted students.

Selected TV appearances Six Feet Under, Jean Louise Macarthur a.k.a. Viveca St. John - in season 1's episode "An Open Book" (2001) Lady Chatterly's Stories, Amy (as Jane Hamilton) - in the episode "The Manuscript" (2001) First Years, Lola - in the episode "Porn in the USA" (2001)

Awards Wins

1981 AFAA for Best Actress – Amanda by Night

1982 AFAA Award for Best Actress – Roommates

AFAA Award for Best Supporting Actress – Foxtrot

1991 XRCO Hall of Fame

1994 Free Speech Coalition Lifetime Achievement Award

1996 AVN Award for Best Non-Sex Performance – Nylon

AVN Hall of Fame

2004 XRCO Award for Best Comedy or Parody - Misty Beethoven: The Musical (directed, edited and produced by Hart)

2006 Porn Block of Fame

Nominations

2001 AVN Best Director – Video for White Lightning 2002 AVN Best Director – Film for Taken 2003 AVN Best Director – Video for Crime and Passion 2004 AVN Best Director – Film for Barbara Broadcast Too 2005 AVN Best Director – Film for Misty Beethoven: The Musical 2006 AVN Best Non-Sex Performance for Eternity 2007 AVN Best Non-Sex Performance for Sex Pix 2008 AVN Best Non-Sex Performance for Delilah 2009 AVN Best Non-Sex Performance for Roller Dollz