Nina Hartley

Who is Nina Hartley?

Nina Hartley is one of the most iconic performers ever to appear at ERIKALUST. She is a a legendary adult-film actress, sex educator, director, and author and she is also one of the longest-active figures in the history of erotic cinema. Since her debut in 1984, she has appeared in more than 1500 films, making her one of the most prolific performers of all time.

Like many of our performers, Nina’s path into erotic cinema is rooted in curiosity but also care: she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing before transitioning from health-care work into porn performance. Over her decades-long career, she has become an iconic performer and also a respected sex education teacher, a writer, and one of the most influential voices in sex-positive culture.

Nina is widely described as an outspoken feminist and an early advocate for ethical porn, consent, pleasure-focused storytelling, and workers’ rights—long before these ideas were common in the industry. Her values align naturally with Erika Lust’s vision, which is why Nina has appeared in several of our films and helped expand conversations around sexuality, power, and pleasure within our community.

Beyond performing, Nina has authored educational books and filmed numerous instructional videos, always prioritizing clarity, empowerment, and real information. Her educational approach covers everything from oral pleasure and anal sex to partnered intimacy and fetish practices.

In her personal life, Nina has always been open about her bisexuality and her unconventional relationships. For twenty years, she lived in a long-term ménage à trois, one of the most openly discussed committed relationships in the adult industry. She later married Ernest Greene (Ira Levine), a filmmaker known for his BDSM porn movies.

There is more: many performers describe filming with Nina as some of the best, most memorable scenes of their careers.

Watch Nina Hartley's feminist porn movies

You can find her at Safe Word, an explicit, cinematic BDSM Erika Lust series where she appears as the commanding and wise Madame guiding Christie (Mona Wales) into the world of kink.

In Safe Word, Nina embodies the perfect balance of authority and care, everything that ethical BDSM stands for. Alongside Mickey Mod and Julia Roca, she helps the series explore the emotional power of letting go. This series was nominated for multiple porn awards.