Taboo American Style
Performance associated with Leonard's 1986 AFAA Best Actress win.
American performer, publisher & free-speech advocate
Gloria Leonard
Gloria Leonard was an American performer, publisher and free-speech advocate born August 28, 1940 in the Bronx and active in adult film from the 1970s, later serving as publisher of High Society and president of the Free Speech Coalition before her death on February 3, 2014.
- Born
- August 28, 1940
- Age
- 86
Biography
Gloria Leonard biography
Gloria Leonard was born August 28, 1940 in the Bronx and became a prominent performer during the adult-film industry's 1970s Golden Age.
Free Speech Coalition's memorial places her principal performance period from 1974 to 1984 and highlights her subsequent work as publisher of High Society.
Her industry leadership included service as administrative director of the Adult Film and Video Association of America from 1989 until its merger into the Free Speech Coalition in 1992. FSC's own board archive lists Leonard as president in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Leonard won major acting recognition in the 1980s, including the 1986 AFAA Best Actress award tied to Taboo American Style. She died in Hawaii on February 3, 2014 after a stroke.
Basic information
Personal & professional details
- Name
- Gloria Leonard
- Born
- August 28, 1940
- Age
- 86
- Birthplace
- The Bronx, New York City, New York, United States
- Profession
- American performer, publisher & free-speech advocate
- Location
- The Bronx, New York / U.S. publishing and film
- Career start
- 1974 (Free Speech Coalition memorial and structured historical records)
- Also known as
- Gail Leonard, Gail Leonardi, Gayle Leonard
- Known for
- High Society publisher, Free Speech Coalition president, Taboo American Style, Free-speech advocacy, Adult-industry Hall of Fame recognition
Career
Career timeline
1974
Golden Age screen career begins
FSC's memorial places the start of Leonard's adult-film career in 1974.
1979
High Society leadership
Historical records place Leonard in the magazine's publishing leadership from the late 1970s.
1986
AFAA Best Actress
Won for Taboo American Style.
1989–1992
Trade-association administration
Served as administrative director of the Adult Film and Video Association of America until its merger with FSC.
1998–2000
Free Speech Coalition president
FSC's board archive lists Leonard as president in three consecutive annual board records.
2014
Death and industry memorials
Died February 3, 2014 in Hawaii after suffering a stroke.
Works
Selected works & appearances
High Society
Leonard served as publisher/editorial leader for the adult magazine during a major phase of her career.