1. Early Life and Background
Jill Kelly's early life in Southern California laid the groundwork for her eventual entry into the adult entertainment industry.
1.1. Birth and Early Life
Jill Kelly was born Adrianna Moore on February 1, 1971, in Pomona, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. Her height was reported as 65 in (165 cm), with reported measurements of 94-61-91. Some accounts suggest her height as 67 in (170 cm) and weight as 115 lb (52 kg). Her journey into performing began at a young age.
2. Career
Kelly's career evolved significantly, starting from her early days as a stripper to becoming an influential figure as an adult film actress, director, producer, and businesswoman, alongside her ventures into mainstream media.
2.1. Early Career and Entry into Adult Industry
Kelly began working as a stripper at the Babydolls adult entertainment theater in Ontario, California, at the age of 15, using false identification. After she broke up with her then-boyfriend, he revealed her true age to the club, leading to her termination. When Kelly turned 18, she returned to the club and was not recognized. She later performed live sex shows with fellow performer Tiffany Million at the O'Farrell Theatre in San Francisco. The duo also visited Las Vegas in 1993 to attend the AVN Awards ceremony. Kelly's stage name was derived from the names of the Charlie's Angels characters portrayed by Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith.
2.2. Adult Film Career
Kelly built an extensive career as an adult film actress, appearing in over 420 pornographic films. Beyond performing, she expanded her roles within the industry to include directing and producing.
2.3. Mainstream Media Appearances
In addition to her adult film work, Kelly appeared in over 50 B movies, including The Legend of the Roller Blade Seven, Toad Warriors, and Big Sister 2000. Her first film was The Roller Blade Seven in 1991. In the spring of 1998, she appeared in Spike Lee's mainstream film He Got Game. She also featured in the film Orgazmo.
2.4. Business Ventures
In October 1998, Kelly established her own company, Jill Kelly Productions (JKP). However, the company faced financial difficulties, leading to a bankruptcy filing. In April 2005, Penthouse magazine acquired JKP's assets for approximately 1.76 M USD. This acquisition included JKP's entire back catalogue and nearly 60 unreleased features, highlighting the significant volume of content produced by her company.
3. Personal Life
Jill Kelly's personal life has involved multiple marriages and relationships, as well as significant personal challenges.
3.1. Marriages and Relationships
Kelly's personal relationships often intertwined with her professional life. In 1993, she met porn actor Cal Jammer at a CES convention in Las Vegas and they married a month later. Jammer introduced her to the world of adult films, which launched her career. However, Kelly separated from him due to his infidelities outside of their professional work. On January 25, 1995, Jammer died by suicide, shooting himself.
On May 6, 2000, Kelly married adult performer Julian Andretti, but their marriage concluded with a divorce by the end of 2001. She married a third time on September 20, 2003, to actor, producer, and coordinator Corey Jordan. This marriage also ended, with the couple parting ways a year later and finalizing their divorce in October 2004.
In the mid-1990s, Kelly also had an off-screen relationship with fellow female performer P.J. Sparxx. They formed a dance duo called "Fire & Ice" and toured together, performing on stage. They also released an adult film based on their act titled Fire & Ice: Caught In The Act. Their relationship was further explored in the "Behind the Scenes" documentary series Sex Under Hot Lights, specifically in the episode "The Couples". Sparxx noted that she and Kelly shared similar sexual personalities. Kelly stated that Sparxx provided support following her husband's suicide in January 1995. Both Kelly and Sparxx claimed to be exclusively involved in terms of women, but maintained an open relationship concerning other men, with Kelly also stating she was involved with a boyfriend at the time.
3.2. Other Personal Details
Kelly identifies as bisexual. During her marriage to Corey Jordan, she experienced two miscarriages, one of which was an ectopic pregnancy.
4. Awards and Recognition
Jill Kelly received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career, solidifying her status as a notable figure in the adult entertainment industry.
- 1996 AVN Award - Best All-Girl Sex Scene (Video) - Takin' It To The Limit 6 (with Felecia, Misty Rain, Careena Collins & Traci Allen)
- 1996 XRCO Award - Best Girl-Girl Sex Scene - Takin' It To The Limit 6 (with Traci Allen, Careena Collins, Felecia & Misty Rain)
- 1997 AVN Award - Best All-Girl Sex Scene (Film) - Dreams of Desire (with Melissa Hill)
- 1998 XRCO Award - Female Performer of the Year
- 1999 AVN Award - Best Couples Sex Scene (Video) - Dream Catcher (with Eric Price)
- 1999 Hot d'Or Award - Best American Actress - Exile
- 1999 NightMoves Award - Best Actress (Editor's Choice)
- 2001 FOXE Award - Female Fan Favorite
- 2002 FOXE Award - Female Fan Favorite
- 2003 AVN Hall of Fame
- 2003 FOXE Award - Female Performer of the Year
- 2007 NightMoves Hall of Fame
5. Legacy and Assessment
Jill Kelly's career marks her as a significant figure in the adult entertainment industry, known for her prolific acting career, her ventures into directing and producing, and her entrepreneurial spirit. Her extensive filmography of over 420 films and her establishment of Jill Kelly Productions underscore her comprehensive involvement and influence within the industry. The acquisition of her company by Penthouse and her multiple Hall of Fame inductions, including the prestigious AVN Hall of Fame and NightMoves Hall of Fame, reflect her enduring impact and the high regard in which she was held by her peers and industry organizations. Her diverse roles, from performer to business owner, highlight her versatility and her lasting contribution to the adult entertainment landscape.