Vanessa del Rio (born March 31, 1952) is an American retired pornographic actress.

Vanessa del Rio was born Ana Maria Sanchez^[2] and raised in Harlem, New York, the daughter of immigrants from Cuba and Puerto Rico. Her mother would take her to see movies of Isabel Sarli whom Vanessa credits as a big influence in her life.^[3] She describes her mother as "a women in her early 20s and became "a waitress, then barmaid, then go-go dancer" becoming a porn actress because "they paid $150 a day, which was exactly my half of the rent".^[4][5] Prior to adult films, she also worked as a streetwalker and call girl.^[6][7]

For her stage name, she took the name "Vanessa" from a childhood friend and "Del Rio" from actress Dolores del Río at the suggestion of another friend who was a movie buff.^[8]

Del Rio began appearing in adult films in 1974. In the span of about 12 years, del Rio has appeared in about 100 pornographic films.^[4] and in several music videos, notably "Get Money" by Junior M.A.F.I.A.,^[9] who also refer to her in their song "I Need You Tonight." She is known for having a particularly large clitoris.^[3]

Though del Rio retired from adult films in 1986, in part due to the AIDS scare prevalent at the time,^[3][4] after a stint as a bodybuilder she returned to feature dancing and doing magazine layouts.^[4] Afterwards, she remains somewhat active in the adult entertainment industry through her website and by making special appearances at award shows and conventions. During and after her porn career, she appeared on many TV shows as herself, including a 1996 episode of NYPD Blue.^[10] In 2008, she made a cameo opposite Bernie Mac in the film Soul Men.^[11]

In 2007, the German art book publisher Taschen released a deluxe, heavily illustrated biography, Vanessa del Rio: Fifty Years of Slightly Slutty Behavior.^[12][13]

A feature film based on del Rio's life is expected to begin production in 2018 written by and to be directed by Thomas Mignone and starring Vivian Lamolli as del Rio.^[14]