Clair Dia

Clair Dia, originally named Emily Smith, was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the San Fernando Valley. With striking raven hair and a past as a redhead, she pursued her education at City College in San Francisco, focusing on occupational therapy. Following her studies, she worked as a secretary before embarking on a journey across the United States, creating adult films to support her travels. This venture led to her feature in the October 1971 issue of Playboy, spotlighted in the article "The Porno Girls."

Clair made her cinematic debut in the film *What About Jane: An Erotic Soap Opera* (1972). However, her early success was marred by controversy when she, along with a fellow cast member and the director, was arrested during a screening on obscenity charges, although they were released after only four hours in custody. Over her career, Clair starred in more than 20 adult films and also directed two productions, showcasing her versatility in the industry. She honed her filmmaking skills at the Berkeley Film Institute, where she studied the craft. Even in her directorial projects, Clair often made brief appearances, demonstrating her enduring presence in front of the camera while shaping the narratives behind the scenes.