Desiree West

Desiree West, born Patricia Lee on August 25, 1954, in Richmond, California, is an American of African American ethnicity with an exotic appearance often described as a mix of black and Asian heritage. Little is known about her formal education or early jobs, but she grew up during the civil rights era in a predominantly African American community, which shaped her resilience. She entered the adult film industry in 1973, breaking barriers as one of the first black performers in a field dominated by white stars, starting with small roles that quickly led to more prominent features due to her natural talent and screen presence. Throughout her career, she used numerous stage names including Desiree West, Patricia Lee, Pat Lee, Fat Lee, Patty Lester, Rayha Teresee, Susie Sung Lee, Dee Dee Willing, Desire West, Pat Desado, Sylvia, Azure Té, and Bonnie Coombs.

West's adult film career spanned from 1973 to 1980 officially, with occasional comebacks into the 1990s, during which she appeared in over 170 videos, webscenes, and films, making her a prolific figure in the Golden Age of Porn. She worked with studios such as Essex Video / Electric Hollywood, Western Visuals, Video-X-Pix, and Caballero Home Video. Her most well-known movies include SexWorld (1978) as Jill in intense group sex and oral scenes; Female Athletes (1980) featuring lesbian martial arts-themed encounters; Cave Women (1979) with primal vaginal and anal penetration; Expectations (1977) showcasing her in passionate threesomes; and Vista Valley PTA (1981) as a hooker in hardcore blowjob and creampie sequences. She was particularly known for her volcanic sexual performances, excelling in anal sex, deepthroat oral acts, lesbian strap-on scenes, interracial encounters, and group orgies, often praised for her ability to handle dialogue convincingly alongside her raw, enthusiastic energy.

Her frequent co-stars included John Leslie, Seka, Annette Haven, and John Holmes, appearing with them in films like SexWorld, Female Athletes, and Rockin' with Seka for explicit pairings involving oral, anal, and group acts. She had an uncredited role as a party guest in the mainstream film 10 (1979), but no other non-adult appearances are noted, and her era predates social media.

West's physical appearance was vividly exotic and curvaceous, standing at 5 feet 2 inches (62 inches) tall with long dark hair, almond-shaped eyes, full lips, and a toned yet voluptuous figure that blended sensuality with athleticism. Her measurements were 35DD-24-36 (natural bust), featuring huge, firm DD-cup breasts that were prominent in close-up nipple play and tit-fucking scenes, a narrow 24-inch waist, and wide 36-inch hips that accentuated her round, bouncy ass. No confirmed surgeries are reported, though some speculation in fan circles suggests possible minor enhancements to her breasts for volume in later films, but her natural curves were a hallmark. Fans and media frequently cited her sex appeal for her massive, jiggling breasts ideal for titjobs; striking face with seductive eyes and plump lips perfect for blowjobs; tight, responsive pussy often highlighted in creampie and penetration close-ups; shapely legs; and firm, spankable ass that starred in anal and doggy-style positions, combining her mixed-ethnic allure with an approachable, fiery eroticism.

West's career involved controversies related to racial biases in the industry, where she was often relegated to secondary roles despite her talent, reflecting the era's exploitation and stereotypes that marginalized black performers. Her on-screen sexuality was versatile, encompassing heterosexual, lesbian, and interracial acts, though her real-life orientation isn't detailed. She married in the mid-1990s and moved to North Carolina, with limited information on prior relationships or income, which was likely modest from films and supplemented by occasional appearances. Media sites like IMDb describe her as "the industry's first black star" with "volcanic sexual performances" that should have led to greater stardom. Fan quotes from online discussions include praises like, "Desiree's exotic fire and those DD curves made her anal scenes legendary—she owned every moment with pure intensity".

West officially retired from adult content in 1980, though she made sporadic comebacks until fully stepping away in the mid-1990s to marry, relocate to North Carolina, and pursue a successful real estate career, living privately thereafter. Her legacy as the first black adult film star endures, paving the way for greater representation and earning her induction into the XRCO Hall of Fame in the mid-1990s for her pioneering role and resilience against industry biases. Colleagues offered positive reflections, with director Anthony Spinelli reportedly calling her "a natural talent who brought depth to every scene," while some anonymous industry accounts noted challenges like "her frustration with typecasting, but she handled it with grace and fire". She remains out of the public eye, enjoying a quiet life in North Carolina at age 71.