Kay Parker | |
|---|---|
Parker in 2014 | |
| Born | Kay Taylor Parker 28 August 1944 Birmingham, England |
| Died | 14 October 2022 (aged 78) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names |
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| Citizenship |
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| Years active | 1962–1999 |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
Kay Taylor Parker (28 August 1944 – 14 October 2022) was a British pornographic film actress who later worked as a metaphysical counselor and mentor. She was the author of an autobiography Taboo: Sacred, Don't Touch which chronicles her life including her work as an actress in adult films.
Early life
Born in England, she grew up in a conservative household. She moved to the United States at the age of 21. After moving to the United States, she had a successful career in the import business. While living in San Francisco, she became interested in acting and began studying drama.
Career
Parker was reportedly introduced to the adult film industry during the late 1970s by actor John Leslie, who suggested she take part in one of his upcoming films. She made her first appearance in 'V' – The Hot One in a non-sex role. Soon afterwards, porn director Anthony Spinelli talked her into doing her first sex scene in Sex World (1977). Despite entering the adult film industry at a later age than most, she became a leading star in the field and was often paired with younger co-stars. Typically she was cast in mature woman roles, such as mothers, step mothers, rich aunts, and wealthy divorcees. She is best known for her roles in Dracula Sucks (1978) and the 1980 film Taboo. She retired from porn in the mid-1980s and for a time worked for Caballero Home Video as their public relations representative. She also appeared in small parts in several mainstream movies and television series, such as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Later years
In 2001, Parker wrote her autobiography titled Taboo: Sacred, Don't Touch: An Autobiographical Journey Spanning Six Thousand Years in which she wrote about her early childhood, her career in the adult industry, and her experiences with the metaphysical. A revised version, Taboo: Sacred Don't Touch – The Revised Version was published in 2016. She later had a YouTube channel where she answered questions in her videos from her fans on myriad subjects on spirituality and spiritual exercises for personal individual growth. She also offered personal Skype sessions with clients who paid her for spiritual counseling.
Parker is the subject of the documentary A Taboo Identity, which chronicles her transition from pornstar to metaphysical counselor.
Death
Parker died in Los Angeles on October 14, 2022, at the age of 78. Her family did not reveal the cause of her death.
Awards
- 1983: Adult Film Association of America Award Best Supporting Actress for Sweet Young Foxes
- 1985: XRCO Special Merit Award
- AVN Hall of Fame
- 1990: XRCO Hall of Fame
Publications
- Parker, Kay Taylor (2016). Taboo: Sacred, Don't Touch – The Revised Version. Blurb. ISBN 9781367411531.
References
Citations
- ^ Kernes, Mark (16 October 2022). "Golden Age Star Kay Parker Dies at 78". AVN. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- ^ a b c Accinelli, Laura (21 February 1994). "Talk is cheap – Gertrude Stein, it ain't: High-brow salon sounds a lot like 'Geraldo". Daily Breeze. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ a b Olesker, Michael (18 October 1984). "Stars consider sex films erotic, not pornographic". The Baltimore Sun. p. 63. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Smith, Kent; Moore, Darrell W.; Reagle, Merl (1982). Adult Movies: Rating Hundreds of the Best Films for Home Video & Cable. New York: Beekman House. p. 183. ISBN 0-517-398710. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Journey Without Clothes: Kay Parker on "Taboo"". Fleshbot. 11 May 2007. Archived from the original on 14 May 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ^ a b c "'Prude of Porn' defends sex films". The Joplin Globe. Associated Press. 1 June 1986. p. 36. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
- ^ Saroyan, Aram (3 April 2014). "Kay Parker, Taboo, and the Golden Age of Porn #NSFW". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- ^ Weasels, P. "20 Must-Have Films: Classic Porn Movies (1972–1982)". GameLink. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- ^ "Older Women". Variety. 25 May 1983. p. 30. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ "Kay Taylor". YouTube. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- ^ "Services". kaytaylorparker.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ Riebe, Angie (27 October 2018). "Horror movie director to film movies in Minnesota". The Washington Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
- ^ "Adult Film Star and Author Kay Parker Dead at 78". US Day News. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "'Miss Jones' sequel wins Erotica". Springfield Leader and Press. United Press International. 16 March 1984. p. 31. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
- ^ "Winners of XRCO Awards 1985". aiwards.com. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- ^ "Hall of Fame". avnawards.com. Adult Video News. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
- ^ "Hall of Fame". dirtybob.com. X-Rated Critics Organization. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
General and cited sources
- "Kay Parker: America's Favorite Mom". Cult Movies. No. 13. 1995. p. 87. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
Further reading
- Marvin, Louis (1987). The New Goddesses. Malibu, CA: AF Press. ISBN 0-912442-99-9. – features a chapter on her
External links
- Kay Parker at the British Girls Adult Film Database
- Kay Parker at IMDb
- Kay Parker at the Internet Adult Film Database
- Kay Parker at the Adult Film Database
- Excerpt from Taboo: Sacred, Don't Touch
- Interview, 29 September 2009