Gloria Leonard – Inducted 1989
A True Porn Pioneer
Gail Klinetski came into this world on August 28, 1940 in New York City. She was raised in the Bronx, went to school and got her college degree in New York. She became a successful Wall Street stocks and bonds company rep. She also worked in PR for Elektra Records as well as working for Johnny Carson’s publicist prior to entering the world of porn.
This was her very corporate life before becoming one of the great legends of porn’s golden age as Gloria Leonard. She was one of the most popular names back in the 1970’s and ‘80’s. Though she was successful in her various PR roles a chance meeting with a friend in the booming adult film business in New York changed everything. She gave up her corporate career and got into the growing world of porn in New York.
Tall (5’ 10”), and with an all natural 40-33-37 knockout figure, brown hair and eyes that had a sensual, seductive look, Gloria was a natural in front of the camera. She made her hardcore debut in the 1976 film “Sex Maniac”, but it was in “The Opening of Misty Beethoven” that her career really took off. During her time in front of the camera Ms. Leonard did about 70 films that included “The Trouble With Young Stuff”, “Fortune Smiles”, “All About Gloria Leonard” , “Intimate Desires” and “Heat Wave” among them until she left in 1984.
Her seductive look, a seemingly nonstop sexual appetite and the fact she was a natural as an actress made her a very popular performer. Gloria wasn’t content to just be in front of the camera and would be one of the first females to go behind the camera and direct. In 1981 Gloria married well known porn producer Bobby Hollander and they remained married until divorcing in1990.
After she left the film part of the industry Ms. Leonard became the publisher of the popular men’s magazine, High Society. She basically oversaw every facet of the magazine and held that position for 14 years. She also brought many innovations to men’s magazines. She created the genre of “Celebrity Skin”, along with pioneering the phone sex industry. It was Ms. Leonard who took her fight for this innovation all the way to the Supreme Court and won. That ruling and this new business created by Ms. Leonard would open up another lucrative door for adult entertainment to be a major part of in the years ahead. The phone sex industry became very popular and a big money maker for a number of years and is still in existence today.
In 1993 Ms. Leonard moved to Hawaii to settle down with her daughter, who ran a very successful art gallery. In 1997 she returned to California and went to work for the Private Media group for a time. She was also president of the Free Speech Coalition and stayed active in many First Amendment battles appearing on TV talk shows to fight for the causes she strongly believed in.
She was living a good life in Hawaii then on January 31, 2014 she suffered a massive stroke. Ms. Leonard was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. As a result of the stroke, Gloria suffered very extensive brain damage. This wonderful lady passed away a few days later on February 3, 2014, at the age of 73, after having her life-support systems disconnected.
Gloria Leonard was an award winning actress and a member of both the AVN and XRCO Halls of Fame. She was truly one of porn’s early female pioneers in many areas besides films. Her fan website www.glorialeonard.com is still a very popular and busy one. Through today’s technology, most of her films are available on DVD. She is considered as the “grand dame” of porn and when you see some of this exquisite lady’s great performances you will understand why Gloria Leonard is so well regarded to this day by both the industry and fans young and old.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN