Erica Gavin
American actress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Erica Gavin (born Donna Graff;[1] July 22, 1947) is an American film actress best known for playing the title role in Russ Meyer's 1968 film Vixen!.
July 22, 1947
Erica Gavin | |
|---|---|
Gavin on the poster for Vixen! | |
| Born | Donna Graff July 22, 1947 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Website | http://www.ericagavin.com/ |
Early years
Gavin was born in Los Angeles, California, daughter of blacklisted actor Fred Graff and Madeleine Rosenteil.[2] At age 19, she worked as a topless dancer in Hollywood with two other future Russ Meyer stars, Haji and Tura Satana. While waiting in a dentist's office, she saw an advertisement in Variety for women to audition for the new Russ Meyer movie Vixen! She auditioned and won the role, which launched her to stardom in low-budget independent films.[3]
Career
Following Vixen!, Gavin appeared in one more Russ Meyer film, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, written by famed film critic Roger Ebert.[4] She also appeared in Jonathan Demme's women-in-prison film Caged Heat.[5] Filmink argued she should have become a bigger star.[6]
Personal life
Gavin resides in Los Angeles, California, where she works as a stylist and occasionally makes appearances at movie memorabilia conventions. She said in a 2006 interview that she is bisexual.[7]
Filmography
- Initiation (1968) - Jan
- Vixen! (1968) - Vixen Palmer
- Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) - Roxanne
- Erika's Hot Summer (1971) - Erika
- Godmonster of Indian Flats (1973) - Girl at bar
- Caged Heat (1974) - Jacqueline Wilson
- 3 Stories About Evil (2008) - Mrs. Harris