Biography for
Grace Jones (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

19 May 1948, Spanish Town, Jamaica

Birth Name

Grace Mendoza

Nickname

The Queen of Gay Discos

Height

5' 10½" (1.79 m)

Mini Biography

Jones, a Jamaican-born perfomer, is better known as a model and singer. Her androgynous appearance, and outrageous musical act employing live lions and leopards, has made her a cult favorite, and propelled her into several acting roles.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Ray Hamel

Spouse

Atila Altaunbay

(24 February 1996 - present)

Trivia

Has a son from a relationship with Jean-Paul Goude in the 1970s.

During the 1970s, often attended legendary New York disco Studio 54.

She famously attacked British interviewer Russell Harty when he turned away from her to speak to the other guests on his programme.

Twin sister of Bishop Noel Jones, subject of Sophie Fiennes' 2002 documentary, Hoover Street Revival (2002).

Was signed to Island Records in 1977 and released her debut album "Portfolio".

Arnold Schwarzenegger complained that Grace was "too tough" during the filming of Conan the Destroyer (1984).

Attended the 1986 wedding of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver on Cape Cod with Andy Warhol.

Lived with Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren for four years, who appeared with her in the Bond film A View to a Kill (1985), though contrary to popular rumor they were never engaged. He was also once her bodyguard.

Studied theatre at Syracuse University, before becoming a successful model in Paris.

Her androgynous and statuesque style made her extremely successful in New York City's underground and nightlife scenes and her sexually evocative stage shows and songs like "I Need A Man" earned her the title "The Queen of Gay Discos" because of her large following of gay men.

Was signed to one of New York's top modeling angencies but Grace's looks were too strong for American magazines, so she spent several years in Paris working as a successful model.

Speaks French.

Was a close friend and confidant of Andy Warhol's and was a member of his entourage. Warhol made a portrait of her.

Shocked audience members in 1998 when she exposed her breasts during a Disney World performance. She was banned from the park.

Sister of Bishop Noel Jones.

Ranked #82 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock 'n Roll.

Was ranked #19 in Channel 5's "World's greatest supermodel".

Her husband, an Hungarian, was born in 1976. He was only 20 years old when they got married, being 28 years younger than his wife.

Personal Quotes

Everyone has to make their own decisions. I still believe in that. You just have to be able to accept the consequences without complaining.

Models are there to look like mannequins, not like real people. Art and illusion are supposed to be fantasy.

Now when I enter a carriage, it almost empties. But there's always one brave enough to stay.

Use, don't abuse.

The fact that I get in there and perform during this political time, and have a great time doing it helps. Gays are my best audience.

Where Are They Now

(May 2007) She appeared on the Danish TV show Go' Aften Danmark (Good Evening Denmark), helping her old friend Sven-Ole Thorsen promote a new book of his.

Browse biographies section by name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z