Nina Hartley is a pornographic actress, pornographic film director, sex educator, feminist, an open bisexual, atheist and author. She was born as Marie Louise Hartman on March 11, 1959 in Berkeley, CA to a liberal Jewish family where the parents became Zen Buddhists when she was a child. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a summa cum laude graduate. She is also a registered nurse. In her sophomore year, she already started working in the adult entertainment industry. She danced in strip clubs such as the Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theatre in San Francisco. Later on, she fully switched from nursing to pornography because according to her, she couldn’t handle seeing people die.

Hartley’s first project in the world of pornography was in 1984. Her first film was Educating Nina and this was produced by the veteran porn star Juliet Anderson, popularly known as Aunt Peg. It was a massive hit. From then on, she was featured in more than 400 first-run adult films and became one of the most recognizable performers in the industry.

The blond and blue-eyed porn star started her appearance in talk shows including Oprah Winfrey (where she appeared together with fellow porn actress Ona Zee) and Phil Donahue where she clearly defended the X-rated film industry. She has been an advocate for the right of the industry to exist. Even before Jenna Jameson became famous, she was being called upon in TV shows to support the pro side.