Top Chicago Adult Stars
Chicago has been a place for the adult entertainment industry for decades, producing and raising a wide range of diverse talented individuals who have made an impact in modeling and in film. In the 1970s and 1980s, Playboy models, like Ginger Allen, gained fame.
During the 1990s, the rise of adult film stars from Chicago, such as Devon Michaels and Janet Jacme, as well models like Jenny McCarthy and Lisa Mattews, further brought the beauty of the Chicagoland into the light as a perfect breeding ground for talent. In the 2020s, the digital age has continued this trend, even though adult magazines are mostly of the past.
Top 20 Chicago Adult Stars
Aaliyah Love
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 2000s, 2010s
Aaliyah Love debuted in 2008 in her late 20s, initially starting as a camgirl before transitioning into a successful career as a MILF actress. She has featured in over 1000 scenes and received nearly 100 award nominations. Aaliyah has worked with major studios such as Twistys, Zero Tolerance, Wicked Pictures, Naughty America, Girlfriends Films, Cherry Pimps, Reality Kings, Spizoo, and Team Skeet.
Allysa Alps
Occupation: Adult Model / Film Star
Era: 1990s, 2000s, 2010s
Allysa Alps, who grew up outside of Chicago, debuted in the early 1990s at the age of 23. Initially a dancer, she became a prominent model, featuring in over 80 men’s magazines throughout the 1990s, 2000s, and early 2010s. Appearing on the cover more than 30 times, she also had roles in a few movies with Score and Napali, though her primary focus remained on modeling.
Cadey Mercury
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 2010s
Cadey Mercury, a slim and petite actress who debuted in 2015, has featured in over 100 scenes and earned awards for her performances. She has worked with various online series, including Devil’s Film, Team Skeet, Net Video, Nubiles, and Digital Sin.
Candy Manson
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 2000s
Candy Manson, of Polish descent, debuted at the age of 22, transitioning her exotic dance background into the adult film industry. Standing at 5 feet 3 inches and known for her busty figure, her career spanned from 2002 to 2007, featuring in over 200 scenes. Candy collaborated with esteemed production companies like Brazzers, Naughty America, Score, Reality Kings, Evil Angel, Digital Playground, Kink, 3rd Degree, Hustler, Wicked Pictures, Zero Tolerance, Lethal Hardcore, and Anarchy. She was also an award nominee.
Christy Mack
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 2010s
Christy Mack debuted in 2011 and was active throughout the 2010s until the early 2020s. She gained immense popularity for her unique appearance, characterized by a Mohawk and tattoos, along with her performances. Christy featured in over 200 scenes and received nominations for more than 30 awards. She worked with top studios like Bangbros, Brazzers, and Girlfriends Films, and also launched her own online website.
Devon Michaels
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 1990s, 2000s, 2010s
Devon Michaels, a Latina star, began her adult film career in the late 1990s and early 2000s, continuing well into the 2010s and 2020s. She grew up in Peoria before moving to New York City, where she started dancing. Initially, she worked as a model in the 1990s before transitioning into film in the 2000s. Throughout her career, she has appeared in over 100 films with renowned studios such as Brazzers, Naughty America, and Wicked Pictures.
Ginger Allen
Occupation: Adult Model / Film Star
Era: 1980s
Ginger Allen, hailing from Rockford near Chicago, was a top star of the 1980s. She debuted in 1984 at the age of 22 and appeared in over 300 scenes. Featured in more than 150 men’s magazines, including Penthouse, Playboy, High Society, Club International, Velvet, and Swank, she also took occasional roles in low-budget B-movies. Active between 1984 and 1986, she made a comeback in the 2000s. A hall of famer, Ginger has won multiple awards.
Jaime Hammer
Occupation: Adult Model / Film Star
Era: 2000s
Jaime Hammer, born in 1982 and of Italian and German descent, transitioned from college student to actress and model. She debuted in 2004, modeling for men’s magazines like Playboy, and later appeared in Penthouse and High Society. In 2006, she entered the adult film industry, working with companies such as Twistys, FM Concepts, and Peach until the early 2010s.
Janet Jacme
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 1990s
Janet Jacme arrived into the industry in 1992 and had a career that ran well into the 2000s. Standing 5’3″ tall, she rose to top of the business as one of the pioneering Ebony and Urban stars in adult film. To conclude her career, she appeared in over 200 titles, which led to her induction into the Hall of Fame in 2006. Throughout her career, she worked with a variety of production studios such as Evasive Angles, Elegant Angel, Heatwave, L.B.O. Entertainment, Video Team, Rosebud, and many others.
Jasmine Wilde
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 2020s
Jasmine Wilde, a newcomer in 2020 at the age of 23, quickly established herself in the industry. Of mixed race, she has worked with top studios such as Brazzers, Naughty America, and Team Skeet, as well as amateur and B-rated film companies. Jasmine has appeared in over 100 scenes and is a multiple-time award nominee.
Jenny McCarthy
Occupation: Adult Model
Era: 1990s
Jenny McCarthy, related to actress Melissa McCarthy, chose to pursue modeling while in college in the early 1990s. She eventually became one of Playboy’s top models, particularly prominent during the 1990s. Beyond modeling, she gained popularity in pop culture as a TV host and appeared on various television shows. Additionally, she ventured into acting, featuring in non-adult films, including several well known comedies.
Kelsey Kane
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 2020s
Kelsey Kane debuted in 2023 at the age of 23 and is an award nominee. She has worked with top online series such as MyPervyFamily, Bangbros, Brazzers, and Team Skeet. Still active in the industry, Kelsey has featured in over 50 scenes so far.
Lana Rhoades
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 2010s
Lana Rhoades, who grew up in the countryside outside of Chicago, debuted in the adult film industry in 2016 at the age of 20. She has featured in over 300 scenes and has been nominated for and won nearly 100 awards. Throughout her career, she worked with many prominent names in the industry. Before entering the field, Lana was a cheerleader in school and worked at the Tilted Kilt and Hooters.
Layla Rose
Occupation: Adult Film Star / Model
Era: 2010s
Layla Rose, a Latin star, debuted in 2010 at the age of 18. She featured in over 100 films, primarily in women-only scenes, until around 2017. Layla worked with companies like Babes, Penthouse, Mofos, Bangbros, and FM Concepts, earning award nominations. She also appeared in a few men’s magazines, including Hustler.
Lisa Matthews
Occupation: Adult Model
Era: 1990s
Born in 1969 in Illinois, Lisa Matthews eventually moved to Los Angeles. After graduating, she began modeling in her early 20s. From 1991 to 1995, she graced the cover of Playboy over five times. In addition to her modeling career, Lisa had minor roles in mainstream movies, such as “Hudson Hawk.”
Nyomi Banxxx
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 2000s
Nyomi Banxxx debuted in the adult film industry in 2006 and remained active until the mid-2010s, becoming one of the top Ebony stars. She appeared in over 200 films and received nominations for more than two dozen awards, earning a place in the Hall of Fame. Nyomi collaborated with leading names in the industry, including West Coast Productions, Reality Kings, and Naughty America.
Payton Preslee
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 2020s
Payton Preslee, of Polish descent, is one of today’s leading adult film stars. Since her debut in 2019, she has rapidly advanced in the industry, working extensively with top brands such as Naughty America, Brazzers, Evil Angel, Devil’s Film, and Team Skeet. She also collaborates with prominent adult content creators and has received multiple award nominations.
Roxanne Dawn
Occupation: Adult Model
Era: 2000s
Roxanne Dawn, of Latin descent, debuted as a Playboy model in 1999 at the age of 21. She appeared in several magazines before retiring from modeling.
Shyla Foxxx
Occupation: Adult Film Star / Model
Era: 1990s
Shyla Foxxx, a Puerto Rican star born in 1972, grew up in Chicago and began her career as a dancer before moving to Los Angeles. She debuted in adult films in 1996 at the age of 24, featuring in over 20 films with companies like Metro and VCA. In addition, she appeared in over 50 men’s magazines, gracing the cover more than 10 times.
Tera Heart
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 1990s
Tera Heart debuted in 1990 in her early 20s and worked until 1998, featuring in over 150 scenes. She collaborated with studios such as Metro, Wicked Pictures, VCA, Vivid, Leisure Time, Coast to Coast, Filmco, Gourmet Video, Arrow Productions, and Caballero Home Video, among others. Tera was known for her versatility across multiple genres in the industry.
Veruca James
Occupation: Adult Film Star
Era: 2010s, 2020s
Veruca James, an award-winning performer with over 50 nominations, debuted in 2011 in her late 20s and has continued well into the 2020s, featuring in over 350 scenes. She has worked with prominent studios such as Brazzers, Burning Angel, Evil Angel, Girlfriends Films, Kink, and Jules Jordan, exploring a range of genres from women-only to eccentric niches.