Biography for
Christy Canyon More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

17 June 1966, Pasadena, California, USA

Birth Name

Melissa Kaye Bardizbanian

Nickname

Missy

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini Biography

Christy Canyon is a Hall of Fame porn actress. She came on the scene at about the same time as Traci Lords, and the two of them almost immediately challenged reigning porn queen Ginger Lynn Allen for the top position in the business. By 1987 Traci was gone - having left the industry after it was discovered she was underage when she made most of her films - and Christy was establishing herself as the #1 fan draw. She has retired, and unretired, many times in the past 15 years or so, but her fans remain devoted. She and Traci appeared in several movies together, and after Traci's departure from the business, some of them were re-released with Traci's scenes edited out. One movie that could not be re-released, however, was Battle of the Stars (1985) (V), which pitted Christy vs. Traci in head-to-head competition for the best actress title in X-rated films. Traci's scenes could not be edited out without destroying the entire movie, so it was never released at all.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Shapster

Mini Biography

Christy Canyon is in both the AVN Hall of Fame and the XRCO Hall of Fame. She has been rated by AVN as one of the top 20 porn actresses of all time. Christy entered the industry in the golden age of pornography, and performed early scenes with such greats as Ginger Lynn Allen and Ron Jeremy. She debuted about the same time as Traci Lords and Christy, Ginger and Traci were the three top female porn stars of the time. After the "Traci Lords" underage scandal, Christy stated that she never suspected that Traci was not of legal age, as she seemed so experienced in their scenes. Christy's first stint making films lasted from 1984 through 1986, when she left to join her father's business, but her films continued to be released during her "retirement". She returned in 1989 working with Video Exclusives on her label Canyon Video, before joining Vivid as one of their contract girls, following in the tradition of the large movie studios' contract stars. Although she stopped making films in 1997, compilations and re-issues continue to be sold. Since retiring from films, she continued to dance until 2001. Christy's autobiography was released in 2003 and continues to sell well at Amazon and other sites. Christy also established a career as a television and radio personality, as host of Playboy Radio's "Night Calls" on Sirius. Wanting to give back to the industry she loves so much, she offers advice and counsel to aspiring new entrants to the adult industry.

IMDb Mini Biography By: B

Spouse

Grant	(2003 - 2004) (divorced) 1 child
Tom Sinopoli	(1993 - 1994) (divorced)
Jeremy Stone (July 1996 - 1999) (divorced)

Trivia

Her first adult feature was Night of Loving Dangerously (1984) (V).

Was a very successful feature dancer from the early 1990s until 2001, when she retired from dancing.

Although she retired from making movies and dancing, she still makes occasional autograph signing appearances with her best friend Victoria Paris.

Her last porn film to date is Where the Boys Aren't 9 (1997) (V), made in June 1996.

Has had three different stints in adult movies. The first September 1984-March 1985, the second June 1989-December 1992 and the third (and final) Febuary 1995-June 1996.

Has an older sister, writer Carla Sinclair (born 15 August 1964) aka "The Net Chick".

Is of Armenian and Italian heritage.

Has an associates degree in merchandise marketing.

Graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1984.

On April 26 and 27, 2003 Christy appeared at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, signing copies of her autobiography "Lights, Camera, Sex!" Since it was an all-ages event, she did not sell or autograph any adult videos, DVD's, photos or magazines.

She was expelled from Providence High School, but graduated from North Hollywood High.

Her parents blamed her for their divorce, so she ran away from home at 17.

Referenced in the 1993 song "Heaven Is" by the band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. The lyrics go, "Heaven is Christy Canyon falling in love with me".

Went to elementary school and high school with Adam Carolla. He asked her out on a date and she accepted, but she never showed up.

Personal Quotes

I'm not into bodybuilders. I want a little softness in a guy. I wanna be able to squeeze on some love handles.

Where Are They Now

(2003) Currently writing the second volume of her autobiography, tentatively titled "Danger, Curves Ahead." In it, she promises to cover her days as a feature dancer, her marriages, and her final foray as an adult film performer.

(September 2007) Has been co-host of Sirius' Playboy Radio Night Calls show, with Ginger Lynn Allen.

(April 2008) Radio personality, now senior co-host of Playboy Radio Night Calls on Sirius.

(April 2011) Los Angeles CA: Host of Spice Radio Legends of Porn and co-host with Ginger Lynn of Spice Sex Circus, both on Sirius/XM