Sunny Leone, Mia Khalifa to Sasha Grey: A look at famous adult film stars who went mainstream

From Sunny Leone, Mia Khalifa to Sasha Grey, here's a list of famous adult film stars who went mainstream and why.

Sunny Leone a.k.a Karenjit Kaur’s own life is no less than a film. Sunny Leone was one of the famous and highest-paid stars in the adult film industry. Her life changed upside down on the TV reality show ‘Bigg Boss Season 5’ where she was offered the lead role Bollywood film ‘Jism 2’. She is one of the adult stars who was well received by the audiences. Credit: Instagram/sunnyleone

Sasha Grey quit the adult film industry in 2011 and publicly said that she wants to focus on acting and music. It was no looking back for Sasha post her debut in Steven Soderbergh's The Girlfriend Experience. Credit: Instagram/sashagrey

Mia Khalifa, one of the world's most-watched women in the adult industry, quit the industry after receiving death threats from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Credit: Instagram/miakhalifa

After starring in nearly 200 adult movies, Katie Morgan took the plunge into the mainstream and starred in Kevin Smith's 2008 comedy, 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno'. Credit: Twitter/thekatiemorgan

One of America’s top adult stars, Priya Anjali Rai bid adieu to the adult film industry in 2013 to focus on her personal life. Later, she tried her hand at acting in Indian films and bagged a lead role in India's first 4D stereoscopic feature film helmed by Asokan PK. Credit: Twitter/priyaanjalirai

Not many know that Friends star, Matt LeBlanc, starred in softcore adult film series in the mid-90s. Credit: Instagram/mleblanc

Japanese sensation, Maria Ozawa went mainstream acting with Kevin Ko’s horror-thriller 'Invitation Only' (2009). Credit: Instagram/maria.ozawa0108

'The Sex And The City' star, Ryder Skye, has appeared in countless adult movies before going mainstream. Credit: Instagram/therealryderskye

Sibel Kekilli, who rose to fame for her role in 'Game of Thrones', worked as adult film star in the past. Reportedly, she hid her adult film work from her family till a reporter unearthed her salacious past which Kekili condemned as a smear campaign. And since then, she has become an advocate for women’s rights. Credit: Instagram/sibelkekilli

Mary Carey rose to fame by featuring in a string of adult films. However, she left the industry in 2007 to explore other opportunities. Reportedly, in 2021, she run for California governor. Credit: Instagram/realmarycarey