Golden Age adult movie star and performer Annette Heinz passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the age of 71, weeks after being diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Heinz died at a nursing facility in Campbell County, Kentucky, near Cincinnati, where she was being treated for an illness that left her incapacitated in July.

Early Career and Burlesque

Annette Heinz, an Ohio native, began her adult career in 1970 as an exotic dancer at Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club in Cincinnati. This was several years before Larry Flynt launched his national magazine empire. Following her time at the Hustler Club, Heinz became a prominent dancer in Newport, Kentucky, where she performed a variety of acts, including fire eating and snake charming. She later moved to New York, performing for a decade at the Melody Burlesk, a famous adult venue in Times Square.

During her burlesque career, Heinz also toured with a live stage act, traveling in a van. This act featured elaborate costumes, fire-eating apparatus, and a boa constrictor named Mr. Cooper.

Golden Age Film Career

Heinz was discovered at the Melody Burlesk by director Gerard Damiano, known for "Deep Throat" and "The Devil In Miss Jones." Damiano cast her in a non-sex role in the 1982 film "Consenting Adults." Fellow Golden Era star Annie Sprinkle and Vera Newman also made "Consenting Adults" with Gerard Damiano. Heinz shot several Golden Age classics from 1982 until 1987 for pre-internet era studios such as VCA and Caballero. Her filmography includes 29 movie credits, with titles such as "Getting Ahead," "Public Affairs," "Sex Spa USA," "Down and Out in New York City," "Succulent," and "Junkyard Susie."

In 1983, Heinz received an XRCO Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role in "Public Affairs." This film co-starred XXX stars Annette Haven, Joey Silvera, and Paul Thomas, and was directed by AVN Hall of Famer Henri Pachard for Caballero Home Video. She also appeared in video features for studios including Femme Productions’ "Three Daughters," directed by Candida Royalle, VCA's "Burlexxx," and Video-X-Pix's "Succulent."

Post-Adult Industry and Personal Life

After her career in the adult industry, Annette Heinz pursued further education. She attended Cincinnati State College, where she earned a culinary arts degree. This led to a career as a chef on an Indiana casino boat.

Industry friends and associates confirmed Heinz's passing. Fellow Golden Era star and close friend Jeanne Silver is currently making funeral arrangements. Crowdfunding information to assist with expenses will be made available through Silver's Facebook page.

Annie Sprinkle shared a post on August 28, 2024, acknowledging Heinz's sudden death and thanking "Long Jean Silver" for assisting Heinz in her final weeks. Vera Newman also expressed condolences in response to Sprinkle's post.

Key Facts

  • Name: Annette Heinz
  • Date of Death: Thursday, August 22, 2024
  • Age at Death: 71
  • Cause of Death: Late-stage cancer, diagnosed weeks prior to her passing.
  • Place of Death: A nursing facility in Campbell County, Kentucky.
  • Career Highlights: Exotic dancer at Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club, burlesque performer at Melody Burlesk, Golden Age adult film actress with 29 movie credits, XRCO Best Supporting Actress nominee.