While the role of a prostitute may not be what many actresses have in mind when they decide that they want to pursue a career on the big screen despite this some of Hollywood's biggest names have found it to be their breakthrough role.
It appears that an attractive men and woman, very little clothing and the promise of sex seems to propel the actors in question to superstardom, but of course a good script and quality director doesn't go a miss. So here at FemaleFirst we took a look at some of Hollywood's hottest hookers, and blimey there have been a few!
Vivian Ward
Julia Roberts' role as the down on her luck prostitute with a heart of gold was her ticket to major success in 1990 who is hired by a wealthy businessman and corporate raider, Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) to be his escort for several business functions, and their developing relationship.
Despite securing a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nomination for her role in Steel Magnolias it was in the part of Vivian that introduced her to a mainstream worldwide audience as she bagged a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her role.
Pretty Woman starting life as a dark drama that look at prostitution in LA the film developed in one of the best romantic comedies of all time and went on to be one of the genre's most financially successful grossing $464 million at the international box office.
Iris Steensma
It was the role of Iris, an underage prostitute, in Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver that mark the arrival of fourteen year old Jodie Foster as a talent to keep an eye on in 1976.
Robert De Niro starred as Travis Bickle, an honourably discharged Marine and Vietnam war veteran now working in New York as a nighttime taxi driver. Bickle is repulsed by the decay that sees on the streets of the city around him. And although he does attempt to assassinate a political candidate his act of saving Iris, a child prostitute does redeem his character.
The young Jodie Foster found herself nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance despite the controversies that surrounding her role. Many critics raised the issue of Foster being present during the film's climactic shoot out and the teenage actress was subjected to psychological testing to ensure that she would not be emotionally scarred by her role.
Lynn Bracken
Based on the 1990 crime fiction novel of the same title by James Ellroy actress Kim Basinger brought the elegant Lynn Bracken to the screen in 1997 as part of a great ensemble cast in L.A Confidential.
Set against the backdrop of the glitz, glamour, grit and noir of early 1950s Los Angeles the film revolves around three LAPD officers caught up in corruption, sex, lies, and murder following a multiple murder at the Nite Owl coffee shop.
The story eventually encompasses organized crime, political corruption, heroin, pornography, prostitution, tabloid journalism, institutional racism, plastic surgery and Hollywood.
She scooped a Best Supporting Actress Oscar where Roberts and Foster had failed, her character was given a black eye by Russell Crowe so she deserves it poor lass!
Bree Daniels
Perhaps one of cinema's more famous hookers is Bree Daniels and she came in the lovely form of Jane Fonda in 1971's Klute, which also starred Donald Sutherland and was directed by Alan J. Pakula.
The film tracks Bree Daniels (Jane Fonda), a Manhattan prostitute and aspiring actress in search of herself. Small-town private eye John Klute (Donald Sutherland) arrives in Manhattan to find that Bree is the only lead in the disappearance of his good friend Tom Gruneman. Bree turns tricks for cash and a need for emotional freedom, wishing to remain unattached and in control.
For her role in the film noir thriller FOnda got her hands on her first Best Actress Oscars as she became one of Hollywood's most in demand actresses.
Julian Kaye
Ten years before starring in Pretty Woman actor Richard Gere found himself on the other side of the fence so to speak in the role of American Gigolo, and Julian is the only male entry in our little look at Hollywood hookers.
While servicing an upscale clientele in the Hollywood area, he becomes involved with a rich senator's wife (Lauren Hutton), their relationship extending beyond Julian's normal encounters. Little does he know he is about to be framed for murder, forcing him to rely on alibis from Madame Anne (Nina Van Pallandt), a crooked pimp (Bill Duke), or the senator's wife herself.
So, funnily enough, if you want to be recognised in the eyes of the Academy on the biggest night in the film calendar take on the role of a prostitute it's a sure fire winner.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw