Tura Satana Profile

The Early Years & Origins

Born Tura Luna Pascual Yamaguchi on July 10, 1938 in Hokkaidō, Japan, Satana emerged from a striking blend of Japanese, Filipino, Cheyenne, and Scots‑Irish heritage. After a WWII internment in Manzanar, her family resettled in Chicago, where young Tura faced harsh discrimination due to her distinctive looks and ethnicity.

By the age of nine, she survived a gang assault that left her emotionally scarring wounds—and a lifelong vow of vengeance that fuelled her fierce independence. She trained in aikido and karate and even formed a tough girl gang, “the Angeles,” to defend local girls—and herself—from bullying .

Iconic Physicality & Signature Look

Standing at 5′7″ (170 cm), Tura carried herself with statuesque confidence. She weighed around 65 kg (143 lb), with a 25″ waist and 37″ hips, and dazzled with her jet-black hair and deep dark-brown eyes. Her style?: sharp-edged femininity—plunging necklines, belted black leather, dramatic eyeliner, bouffant hair, and bold red lips became her trademarks on and off screen.

From Burlesque Bombshell to Cult Film Queen

Tura’s burlesque career began in her teens, under the moniker “Miss Japan Beautiful,” dancing on the Sunset Strip at age 15. She made her film debut in Irma la Douce (1963), and shortly after appeared in Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed? (1963) and TV roles in Burke’s Law and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964)

But it was 1965’s Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!—cast as Varla—that cemented her legend. Doing her own stunts and fight choreography, she infused Varla with raw rage and unapologetic dominance. Critics hailed it as one of the most honest female performances in Russ Meyer’s oeuvre

Following that, she starred in:

The Astro-Zombies (1968) as Satana

The Doll Squad (1973) as Lavelle Sumara

Later returned in sequels: Mark of the Astro-Zombies (2002), Sugar Boxx (2009), animated voice in The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (2009)

A Life of Grit Behind the Glamour

Satana’s boundaries were real. She turned down Elvis Presley’s marriage proposal and survived being shot by a former lover in 1973 . A serious car accident in 1981 broke her back, and she spent years recovering—before eventually working in Reno, Nevada casinos. Her image as Varla was trademarked, ensuring royalties and cementing her status as a cinematic icon .

Legacy of a Legend

Tura Satana passed away from heart failure on February 4, 2011 in Reno, survived by two daughters. Today she remains a feminist icon: a powerful, self-reliant woman who refused Hollywood’s narrow stereotypes. Directors like John Waters and Quentin Tarantino recognized her influence, and her fearless style lives on in fashion and cult film circles

🎬 Selected Filmography

Year	Title	Role
1963	Irma la Douce	Suzette Wong
1963	Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed?	Stripper (uncredited)
1964	Burke’s Law (TV)	Guest appearance
1964	The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (TV)	Guest appearance
1965	Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!	Varla
1968	The Astro-Zombies	Satana
1973	The Doll Squad	Lavelle Sumara
2002	Mark of the Astro-Zombies	Malvina Satana
2009	Sugar Boxx	Judge #1
2009	The Haunted World of El Superbeasto	Voice: Varla

In short: Tura Satana was more than a femme fatale—she was a force: fierce, enigmatic, and unapologetically herself. A trailblazer for women’s empowerment in the mid‑20th century, she changed the game through style, strength, and sheer presence.

📰 Recent Tura Post

Tura Satana Documentary “Tura!” Celebrates Russ Meyer’s Busty Cult Goddess

Tura Satana Documentary Exposes the Busty Legend Behind Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! The Bust That Made Cult History The Tura Satana documentary “Tura!” peels back the leather and lace to show the true story of one of Russ Meyer’s most unforgettable busty stars. As Varla in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965), Satana’s towering cleavage and…
Russ Meyer and His Women with Talla Grande

Inside the Wild World of Russ Meyer and His Women with Talla Grande Alright, slip into your most comfortable lounge attire and grab a stiff drink, because we’re about to plunge back into the marvelous world of Russ Meyer and his women with talla grande – the undisputed king of vintage erotic cinema where everything…
Tura & Lori interview – Tell All About Faster Pussycat!

Tura & Lori interview – Tell All About Faster Pussycat! EXCLUSIVE Tura & Lori interview: The original bad girls of cinema reveal the REAL stories behind their legendary Russ Meyer flick! Gentlemen, grab a cold one because this story’s got everything – martial arts, desert survival, Elvis encounters, and the kind of Hollywood tales they…