Jesse Jane Passes Away at 43

LOS ANGELES—AVN Hall of Fame performer Jesse Jane has passed away at 43, TMZ confirmed Thursday.

Rumors of her untimely passing circulated Wednesday night.

A contract girl for Digital Playground for 12 years who became one of the biggest stars of the 2000s era of big-budget features, Jane performed in more than 230 movies during a glittering career in which she achieved adult industry superstardom and mainstream crossover success.

The seven-time AVN Award-winner, who headlined classics such as Pirates (2005) and the sequel, Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge (2008), became one of adult’s most celebrated performers soon after her breakout year in 2003.

Jane starred in titles such as Virtual Sex With Jesse Jane, Jesse Jane: Erotique and No Limits at the beginning of her career while receiving global exposure on dozens of magazine covers such as FHM and Maxim.

The former Hawaiian Tropics model from Texas also appeared in numerous music videos for bands such as Drowning Pool, Robbie Williams, Kid Rock and HourCast. She played herself in the movie Middle Men (2009) and also appeared in Baywatch: The Movie and on HBO’s Entourage (2005), among numerous other appearances in mainstream entertainment.

Jane soon became a top draw on the feature dancing circuit. The former regional training coordinator for Hooters in 2007 claimed the title Adult Movie Feature Entertainer of the Year at the Exotic Dancer Awards.

She hosted the 2006 AVN Awards Show at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas and the 2013 ceremony—the 30th anniversary show—at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

In 2011, she launched a line of tequila called Diosa and in 2013 she became the first adult star to surpass one million likes on Facebook.

“I am heartbroken by the loss of my friend, Jesse Jane, who was a remarkable person and a phenomenal artist," said Ali Joone, the former owner of Digital Playground who launched Jane's career and directed her in numerous award-winning features. "She had a passion for life and a love for adventure that was unmatched. She touched so many lives with her grace and beauty, her infectious laugh and a smile that lit up the world. I’m honored to have known her and to have been her friend. She will be missed.”

Former Digital Playground CEO Samantha Lewis told AVN they traveled the world together.

“I’m devastated…I’m numb,” Lewis told AVN. “I remember Jesse Jane fondly. She had this vibrant energy that lit up every room she entered. Her kindness was genuine and she had a really special way of making everyone feel valued, whether it was her fans or her team at Digital Playground or at a business meeting. And working alongside her was truly an honor for me.”

Lewis continued, “I’ll never forget her unwavering dedication to her craft and to her fans. There was only one Jesse Jane. She truly gave it her all, never leaving anyone without her undivided attention.

“Jesse’s beauty both inside and out was completely captivating. Her generosity knew no bounds and her love for life was extremely contagious. She leaves behind a legacy of grace and warmth that will be deeply missed. Rest in peace Jesse Jane... I loved her.”

Jane went on to sign a two-year performance contract with Jules Jordan Video in 2015, performing in more than 20 titles for the gonzo powerhouse including the star showcases Jesse Jane: Sex Machine 1 & 2 in 2015-16; and Face of an Angel Mind of a Devil (2015).

"Jesse was a force of nature in the industry," Jordan told AVN. "She was responsible for helping mainstream the business, and bringing in the next level of quality talent in the early 2000s. Jesse was always in pursuit of having the most fun possible. She lived life to the fullest, and very few could keep up. We will miss her greatly."

She ascended from Hooters manager to Hawaiian Tropic pageant winner to international fame with her Digital Playground contract. Jesse's bubbly personality made her a favorite radio guest on Howard Stern and Bubba the Love Sponge.

Jesse also was a host on VH1, Much Music and CTV, as well as landed roles on shows such as Celebrity Uncensored, Celebrity Fit Club and Gene Simmons' Family Jewels.

In 2005, Jane hosted her own show on Playboy TV, Naughty Amateur Home Videos and then she also was named the host of Night Calls, a show that would soon become Playboy's top-rated program.

Her body of work also included starring in acclaimed features such as Fighters, Bridesmaids and Code of Honor.

Jane twice won Best All-Girl Sex Scene -Video—for her performances in Pirates (2005) and Island Fever 4 (2006).

She went on to capture the 2009 AVN Awards for Best Girl/Girl Sex Scene—the first year it was presented—for her performance with Belladonna in Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge.

Then she triumphed with two Best All-Girl Group Sex Scene awards—in 2009 for Cheerleaders and 2011 for Body Heat. She also won Wildest Sex Scene for Body Heat (2011) and Hottest Sex Scene for Babysitters (2012).

“Jesse is one of those rare people who possessed everything that the rest of us are trying for,” said director Kayden Kross, who co-starred with Jane in several movies.

“I used to sit with her and lose track of what she was saying because I would get so lost in how such a perfect face could exist. She was stunning but she amplified it so much by her personality. She made everyone comfortable and made everyone feel like they were included in whatever was happening. She would snort when she laughed and go out of her way to be the hostess in little ways.

“She took kids in to live with her that weren’t hers, she shared whatever she had, and she loved her son ferociously. She never showed that she struggled but I think the pressure was from how much everyone wanted from her. Everyone was attracted to her, some to just being in a room with her and others to finding ways to show more people what a special combination she was. She was unbelievable in her beauty and her warmth and her radiating energy everywhere she went.

“I love Jesse.”

Hall of Fame performer Nikki Benz told AVN, "Jesse's friends lost a good friend and the industry lost an icon."

“I’m just heartbroken,” Benz said. “We were really good friends and she was just a good person. I would always call her for advice. I’m just in shock like a lot of people. I just didn’t think I was never going to see her again.

“She was an amazing person and I’m lucky to have gotten to know her. … She was adventurous. Every time for my birthday I was always the one who wanted to go somewhere far and she was always down to go anywhere I wanted to go. She was a good mom, too—that makes me even more sad.

“... She represented our industry so well. She brought a lot of mainstream attention to our industry and made our industry more popular. It is a huge loss for her friends and for the adult entertainment industry.”