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Kathy Harcourt was an English XXX star in America in the early 1980s.
She appeared with Lisa DeLeeuw, Seka, Billy Dee, and Ron Jeremy in adult films and 8mm loops.
She featured in magazines, stripped at the Melody Burlesk, turned up at all the industry parties.
And then she was found dead in Manhattan’s East River amidst rumors of a mob hit.
Over the years, her life and death has been a mystery.
Until today.
After 40 years, the truth about Kathy Harcourt is finally revealed.
This podcast is 96 minutes long.
The music playlist for this episode can be found on Spotify.
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Kathy Harcourt
One of the great features of the golden age of adult film is the diversity of the performers. You had all shapes and sizes, ages and ethnicities. It seemed that everyone was welcome – as long as they were willing to have sex on film.
The only thing was that they were nearly all American citizens. Sure, you’d expect that – as the X-rated industry in its early days sourced its talent locally. But even so you never really saw anyone with a genuine foreign accent.
Which made an actress like Kathy Harcourt stand out. You see, Kathy was English, and spoke with an accent so English that it was almost comical to hear her talk on screen with performers like Billy Dee or Ron Jeremy.
Kathy was a beautiful, voluptuous actress who appeared in ten or so pornographic feature films around 1980, and a bunch of 8mm loops too. She featured in magazines, stripped in the best clubs, and for a short time turned up at all the industry events and parties. She seemed bubbly and happy and sweet, and everybody spoke highly of her.
And then she was reportedly found dead in mysterious circumstances.
Kathy in Bahrain before she came to America and entered the adult industry
Kathy gets her adult start modeling for men’s magazines
Kathy posing with her friend and short-time boyfriend Ron Jeremy
Kathy with Marilyn Gee
Kathy is schooled by PT in Lips (1981)
Kathy unwinds at the infamous Bernards bar and restaurant in New York
Kathy goes blonde in Australia
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zomg, she’s about two years older than me, lolol.
Simply fabulous! And with a happy ending to boot….
I come from the same county as Kathy, Lancashire, to our friends across the pond, maybe you can’t notice the broad local dialect but it’s not known as Queens English.
Thank heavens she’s alive and well as I had to cut short listening to the whole episode first time, but well done Rialto for your research and a lovely suprise to find out she’s alive and kicking!
This was amazing detective work!
Kathy was an AMAZING presence on the 1980s scene… Gorgeous body, funny as hell, and gifted with a genuine accent. Her appearance in Jim Clark’s Little Darlin’s was beyond tasty delicious with a stellar supporting cast.
Thanks RR for reminding the world that she is alive and well.
Hearing this again reminds me, I knew her some in Bahrain but never knew she became a porn star in America. She was about a year older than me. She preferred older men with money. Not stuck up or anything like that, just had a preference. Great storu.
One of the best RR podcasts I’ve heard-Miss April, your detective skills are second to none! I only saw Kathy in LIPS (1981), but she was definitely smoking with the killer figure and such an engaging accent.
Good to know she is still among us (although sympathy for the shooting victim) and seeming to be genuinely happy.
See You next time.
As a teen, saw her on local NYC leased access (Interludes After Midnight) back in 1982 or 83. May have been interviewed by the usual host Dan Lander or Ron Jeremy (?). “You mean London, Ontario” was one of the quips the host made. Was smitten instantly. I think I figured out some years later that she was an adult actress (maybe a film clip run on Robyn Byrd), but never knew her name until about 3 or 4 years ago. I heard the original podcast and was relieved to hear she was alive and well (except for the health condition she mentioned). Anyone know how that scurrilous rumor of her early demise got started? Still one of the prettiest ever in the genre (or any genre)! And not a bad actor at all. She gets taffy.