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Home › Entertainment

Obituary | 04/14/2009 11:15 am

Sex Pioneer Marilyn Chambers Dies at 56 (Video)

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Marilyn Chambers © WireImage

Family, friends and fans were shaken by the death yesterday of the famous pornographic star Marilyn Chambers.

The body of Chambers, a respected actress in the adult film industry, was found by her 17-year-old daughter in her Los Angeles County home on Sunday. She was pronounced dead on the scene. Chambers was just 56 years old.

The cause of death has yet to be determined, but an autopsy will hopefully shed some light on Chambers’s sudden death. Credited with helping bring the adult-film industry into the mainstream, Chambers exuded sexuality on and off screen. Her breakthrough role was in the 1972 X-rated film by the Mitchell Brothers, "Behind the Green Door," which was a big hit in the United States. The former Ivory Snow laundry detergent girl will be remembered for projecting love and believing in the beauty of sex as a natural part of ordinary life.

Watch this interview with Chambers from 1977, via YouTube. The clip is from the NYC Public Access series, "Midnight Blue," which was hosted and produced by Al Goldstein.

 

Read more about: Death, Entertainment, Film, Marilyn Chambers, Movies, News, Obituaries, Video

14 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

L. C.
My condolescences go to her family and friends.
By L. C. on 04/14/2009 11:21 am
DeBúrca obj
The guy is so creepy I could actually feel my skin crawl.
By DeBúrca obj on 04/14/2009 11:23 am
nanchan u
It was the groovy hair. EW!
By nanchan u on 04/14/2009 12:45 pm
James the Game

One that amazes, DeB’, is how styles can change so dramatically. I mean, this guy didn’t look all that out of place wearing a sport jacket and doing an interview with that length of hair back then. Compare that to what is considered acceptable today, and that dude would have a hard time landing a janitor’s gig today. And I’m not slamming him; his hair is short compared to mine in that era.

Marilyn seemed pretty nice and sincere, but you’re right, that dude was rude with his line of questioning.

By James the Game on 04/14/2009 7:37 pm
Deena B.
He had shifty eyes.  I think he was trying to look seductive but came across as creepy.
By Deena B. on 04/14/2009 7:39 pm
Amanda C
56, jeez. So young.
By Amanda C on 04/14/2009 11:38 am
Mary Utrup
I can remember hearing about Marilyn Chambers and how she’d brought a new look to porn movies. Yea right, they are what they are. Men and women abusing themselves for the "entertainment" of others. It’s an ugly world and it has no merit for those who value themselves and others.
By Mary Utrup on 04/14/2009 11:39 am
Deena B.
I completely agree.  I’m not sure words like pioneer and respected really apply here.  I’m sorry, but what these folks do is simply not art.  And those who watch it are not interested in artistic achievement.  I read elsewhere that she had never been able to break into mainstream acting.  Well…HELLO…I wonder why?  You can’t devalue yourself and then expect others to take you seriously.  Mind you, I’m not saying she had no worth as a human being.  She may have been a lovely person otherwise.  It’s just too bad she didn’t realize that worth.
By Deena B. on 04/14/2009 3:14 pm
nanchan u

When Marilyn Chambers went into adult film, or porn, most of the actors and the film makers were afraid to divulge their identities for fear of violence and abuse.  The Mitchell Brothers cast Marilyn Chambers, then the Ivory Snow Girl and the picture of purity, as their lead in  The Green Door, and she became a star.  She was very open, as is seen in the interview, about her sexuality and her profession.  This was pioneering in many ways as she was 1)not afraid to be seen with her clothes on and talk about her desires and 2) the first time a "porn" actress was active in promoting her films.

There is nothing new about porn, that’s as old as the hills.  And I do not watch it or allow it in my home.  But not because I think it is morally wrong, it’s just not for me.  I also do not allow football in my house, it’s just not for me. 

But I do respect Marilyn Chambers.  I hope the results of the autopsy reveal that she died accidently.  It’s too sad that our society punishes these women who also provide such entertainment to many.  So hypocritcal and a huge double standard.  Rest in Peace, Marilyn.

By nanchan u on 04/14/2009 3:35 pm
Deena B.
I guess we will just have to agree to disagree about this one.  I see the value in the human being but can see none in the profession. 
By Deena B. on 04/14/2009 5:23 pm
nanchan u

When Marilyn Chambers went into adult film, or porn, most of the actors and the film makers were afraid to divulge their identities for fear of violence and abuse.  The Mitchell Brothers cast Marilyn Chambers, then the Ivory Snow Girl and the picture of purity, as their lead in  The Green Door, and she became a star.  She was very open, as is seen in the interview, about her sexuality and her profession.  This was pioneering in many ways as she was 1)not afraid to be seen with her clothes on and talk about her desires and 2) the first time a "porn" actress was active in promoting her films.

There is nothing new about porn, that’s as old as the hills.  And I do not watch it or allow it in my home.  But not because I think it is morally wrong, it’s just not for me.  I also do not allow football in my house, it’s just not for me. 

But I do respect Marilyn Chambers.  I hope the results of the autopsy reveal that she died accidently.  It’s too sad that our society punishes these women who also provide such entertainment to many.  So hypocritcal and a huge double standard.  Rest in Peace, Marilyn.

By nanchan u on 04/14/2009 3:35 pm
Mary Utrup

Thank you Deena for the support of your agreement. Unquestionably she had value from God and those who loved her in this life. My heart is broken for her 17 year old daughter! What an awful experience she’s had. I hope the death was from "natural causes" and that those who loved her most in this life will come to peace soon

By Mary Utrup on 04/14/2009 3:48 pm
Mary Utrup
I too hope that Marilyn Chambers will rest in peace. For all any of us know she made peace with her past just like Jade Goody did just before she died. I hope so. It remains a pity that she did not take her talent and become a pioneer in a profession that had some honor.
By Mary Utrup on 04/14/2009 3:45 pm
Steve R
The mid- to late 70’s. My college years. That first taste of real independence. What you might call exploring Beyond the Front Door. “Coming of age.” A small but indelible memory among many, outgrown, ignored, remembered for a day, then gone again. Rest in Peace, Marilyn Chambers.
By Steve R on 04/16/2009 2:46 pm