**Tura Satana (1938-2011)** was an American actress of Japanese and Native American descent, who became an icon of exploitation and cult cinema. Characterized by an imposing screen presence and an aura of danger, she rose to prominence through her collaborations with director Russ Meyer.

Her most iconic and representative role was that of Varla, the charismatic and vengeful leader of an all-female gang in the cult movie *Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!* (1965). In this and other films, Satana embodied the prototype of the tough, independent, and sexually powerful femme fatale, specializing in strong, dominant, and often violent female characters.

Her career, although predominantly linked to low-budget productions such as *The Astro-Zombies* (1968), left an indelible mark. Her rebellious and nonconformist image, often associated with motorcycles and leather attire, strongly influenced punk and countercultural movements.