Over 250 film appearances defined the career of August Ames, a Canadian actor who entered the industry in 2013 at age 19. Her professional trajectory included roles for companies such as Brazzers, Evil Angel, and Mofos, leading to multiple industry accolades before her death in 2017 at the age of 23.
Early Life and Education
Born Mercedes Grabowski in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, in 1994, Ames spent her youth as the child of military personnel, living near Canadian Forces Base Petawawa in Ontario. She later moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. After graduating from Oromocto High School, she briefly studied culinary arts. Her pre-film work history included positions as a nanny, an animal-assisted aide, and a horseback trainer.
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Ames maintained a significant profile in adult entertainment, garnering over 100 IMDb credits. Her work earned several honors, including the 2015 AVN Award for Cutest Newcomer and the 2017 AVN Award for Most Spectacular Boobs. She also received the 2015 XRCO Award and a 2017 NightMoves Award. Beyond her adult industry projects, she appeared in the 2016 non-pornographic film Model for Murder: The Centerfold Killer.
Mental Health and Personal Challenges
Ames publicly disclosed a history of bipolar disorder and dissociative identity disorder, which she attributed to childhood trauma. She noted that managing these conditions was difficult due to industry stigmas. Her marital status included a marriage to pornography director Kevin Moore. In the final months of her life, she experienced distress following a physical encounter during a production session with performer Markus Dupree.
Circumstances of Death
In December 2017, Ames faced intense social media backlash after tweeting about her refusal to film with a co-star who had performed in gay pornography. She was found dead in a Camarillo, California, park on December 5, 2017. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a suicide by asphyxia. Toxicology reports identified sertraline, alprazolam, cocaine, and marijuana in her system.
Fast facts
- Born: 1994, Antigonish
- Died: 2017, Camarillo
- Citizenship: Canada
- Primary Occupations: Pornographic actor, model
- Education: Oromocto High School
- 2015 AVN Award: Cutest Newcomer
- 2017 AVN Award: Most Spectacular Boobs
Questions readers ask
What were the circumstances surrounding her death?
Ames died by suicide in December 2017 following a period of social media backlash and personal mental health struggles.
What investigation was conducted regarding her passing?
Journalist Jon Ronson produced a podcast titled The Last Days of August, which examined her trauma, industry pressures, and the role of cyberbullying.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Mofos
- Worked as pornographic actor and model
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