A porn star powerhouse. This may be the best way to describe Jesse Jane, the actress and adult performer who passed away Jan. 25 at age 43.
A true leader and trailblazer in the industry, Jane brought far more than her signature sex appeal to every role; also suffusing every portrayal with strength, grit, class and considerable acting skill.
Jane is perhaps best known for her signature role as tough gal Jules Steel in the phenomenally popular Pirates franchise; perhaps the most popular adult film series of all time, one that enjoyed immense crossover success–no lie, they even carried a soft-core version on the shelves of Blockbuster Video. I wager plenty of renters went home happy with this title.
Aside from a swashbuckling pirate, Jane portrayed a secret agent and rescue fighter in Code of Honor, a boxer in Fighters, and a fighter pilot in Top Guns, a personal favorite of The Feminist Sexpert. She basked in her power and moxy in titles such as The Female of the Species, directed by Kayden Kross, and Jesse: Alpha Female, and played an empowered erotica author in Romance and a tough as nails DA in Sex and Corruption, directed by Kay Brandt. And she even appeared in a porn parody of the blockbuster feminist comedy known as Bridesmaids.
Outside the adult arena, Jane distinguished herself also in the realm of mainstream film; appearing in the female-driven actioners Busty Cops and Female Fight Squad, along with a number of music videos and the television show Entourage. She also served as an executive producer for both hardcore and mainstream films, launched a successful adult toy line and co-hosted the sex advice show Night Calls.
A cancer survivor and devoted mom in real life, Jesse Jane won multiple adult industry awards and was adored among her peers. Much like a shooting star, this angel blazed away too soon; leaving an indelible path of starshine in her ethereal wake. Rest in Power, Goddess.
