Born and raised in the vibrant city of Hollywood, Erica Gavin's early life was shaped by her father's career as a seasoned character actor, Fred Graff. During her teenage years, she freely admitted to embracing a carefree and unconventional lifestyle, often describing herself as a "stoned-out hippie". At the tender age of 19, Erica began dancing at a popular topless bar called Losers, where she would eventually cross paths with future colleagues Haji and Tura Satana.
One fateful day, while waiting at her dentist's office, Erica stumbled upon an advertisement in Variety magazine that would change the course of her life forever. The ad called for aspiring actresses to audition for a new Russ Meyer film, and Erica couldn't resist the opportunity. She applied, and to her surprise, she landed the title role in the soft-core classic Vixen! (1968),which marked the first mainstream X-rated film. The movie's unique blend of sex, drama, and humor left audiences stunned, and Erica's performance earned her widespread recognition and critical acclaim.
Vixen!'s phenomenal success propelled Erica into the spotlight, catapulting her to instant stardom. However, despite the promise of a lucrative career, Erica's involvement in the film industry was short-lived. She appeared in only two more films, both directed by Russ Meyer: Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) and Caged Heat (1974),a women-in-prison picture produced by Roger Corman. After a mere three-decade hiatus, Erica has recently begun to re-enter the entertainment world, revisiting her iconic role in Vixen! by attending a retrospective of the film, setting up her own website, and scheduled appearances at fan conventions.
