Erica Gavin

Erica Gavin (born Donna Graff; July 22, 1947) is an American film actress best known for playing the title role in Russ Meyer's 1968 film Vixen!.

Early years

Gavin was born in Los Angeles, California, daughter of blacklisted actor Fred Graff and Madeleine Rosenteil. At age 19, she worked as a topless dancer in Hollywood with two other future Russ Meyer stars, Haji and Tura Satana. While waiting in a dentist's office, she saw an advertisement in Variety for women to audition for the new Russ Meyer movie Vixen! She auditioned and won the role, which launched her to stardom in low-budget independent films.

Career

Following Vixen!, Gavin appeared in one more Russ Meyer film, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, written by famed film critic Roger Ebert. She also appeared in Jonathan Demme's women-in-prison film Caged Heat. Filmink argued she should have become a bigger star.

Personal life

Gavin resides in Los Angeles, California, where she works as a stylist and occasionally makes appearances at movie memorabilia conventions. She said in a 2006 interview that she is bisexual.