Laurette Marcia Gemser left her birthplace of Surabaya, Indonesia, in 1955 to relocate to the Netherlands with her parents. Growing up in Utrecht, she cultivated a background in fashion design at the Artibus Art School before establishing herself as a multi-disciplinary professional involved in modelling, costume design, and a prolific career in international cinema.
Early Development and Fashion Training
Before entering the film industry, Gemser attended the MULO Regentesseschool in Utrecht. Her formal education focused on the arts, specifically fashion design, at the Artibus Art School. This aesthetic training preceded her initial professional efforts as a fashion and erotic photography model, roles that saw her appearing in various publications across the Netherlands and Belgium during the early 1970s.
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In 1974, Gemser moved to Italy, marking the start of her transition into film. Her debut role in the erotic production Amore libero, titled Free Love in English, proved to be a commercial success. This performance served as the catalyst for her subsequent career trajectory within the Italian film industry, where she became a recognizable figure in the erotic genre.
The Emanuelle Series and Creative Collaborations
Gemser achieved prominence through the Black Emanuelle film series, appearing in five entries in under three years. She also performed in the 1975 film Emmanuelle 2, credited as The Joys of a Woman, playing one of the masseuses. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she maintained frequent creative partnerships with directors Joe D'Amato and Bruno Mattei. She also performed alongside Gabriele Tinti, her husband from 1976 until 1991.
International Work and Retirement
Beyond her Italian film credits, Gemser appeared in the 1983 American television film Love Is Forever, directed by Michael Landon. In this project, she portrayed the Laotian actress Keo Sirisomphone and received billing under the name Moira Chen. By the 1990s, she shifted her professional focus toward costume design for cinema. Following this transition, she withdrew from the public eye.
Fast facts
- Born: 1950, Surabaya
- Citizenship: Indonesia, Netherlands
- Languages: Italian, English, Dutch, Indonesian
- Education: Artibus Art School, Utrecht
- Spouse: Gabriele Tinti (1976–1991)
- Professional alias: Moira Chen
Questions readers ask
What was Laura Gemser's primary professional focus in the 1990s?
She transitioned from acting to working as a costume designer for film.
Did Laura Gemser use other names during her acting career?
Yes, she was credited as Moira Chen for her role in the 1983 film Love Is Forever.
Achievements
- Worked as model, costume designer and film actor
