Robin Byrd (born April 6 1957, in New York) is an American former porn actress and the host of 'THE ROBIN BYRD SHOW', which has appeared on commercial use cable television in New York City for over 30 years.
Byrd was adopted and raised in New York City. She has been searching but has never been able to identify her birth parents, due to the unwillingness of her adoptive mother to reveal that information and sealed birth and adoption records under New York State law.
At the time of filming the porn classic, 'Debbie Does Dallas' Byrd was living in New York. After taking some college classes in marketing and advertising at Baruch College City University of NY, she attended The School of Visual Arts and worked as a nude model for art classes. Her adult entertainment career was launched when she was a finalist in the 'Ms All Bare America' contest and subsequently starred in porn films during the late 70's and early 80's; including a role in the above-mentioned 'Debbie Does Dallas'.
After guest-hosting on a leased access cable show called 'Hot Legs', she changed the name to 'THE ROBIN BYRD SHOW' in 1977. The show has aired continuously since. Each episode features Byrd in her trademark black crochet bikini and white fingernail polish, on an all-red set with a large, heart-shaped neon sign that bears the name of her show. Male and female porn stars and strippers appear as guests and perform fully nude stripteases, sometimes also taking calls from viewers. Byrd and her guests also frequently engage in on screen play by the end of the episode. Celebrities from outside the adult entertainment industry such as Sandra Bernhard, Mark Kostabi, Michael Musto, among others have also been guests on her show.
- In 1988, Byrd in Bodybuilding competition form broadcast live a Health, Nutrition, and exercise show called
'Modern Women'. (photos of Byrd on the set of 'Modern Women' are on the photo album page)
- In 1990 Robin Byrd had the talked about shower scene in Sandra Bernhard's movie 'Without you I'm nothing'.
- In 1993 Byrd had a minor part in a Disney film with Michael J. Fox titled 'Life with Mikey'.
- In 1999, Richard Avedon photographed Byrd for a feature in 'The New Yorker' on famous and influential New Yorkers.
- In 2000, Byrd was a featured performer in the long running Off-Broadway production of (Shakespeare's-Mid
Summers Night Dream) called 'The Donkey Show' produced by Jordan Roth.
- Also, in 2000, BMG released a CD called 'Lie Back And Get Comfortable - Robin Byrd presents Latin love songs to make love to'.
- Robin hosted several events during Gay Pride Week 2003 in New York. One was a frank discussion titled "Sex in the City" that featured a panel of academics, activists and physicians who explored the meaning LGBT sexual culture and health in New York today.
- In 2003, Marc Juris, formerly of Fuse TV famously plastered Robin Byrd on New York City's bus fleet as part of its re-branding.
- In 2005, Robin Byrd performed & hosted the absurd weekly 'Speedo Bulge' contests at the 'Fire Island Pines Pavilion'.
- Byrd's show, filmography, and personal appearances have made her a local celebrity and to some extent, a national and international one. She is a frequent presenter of adult entertainment, Gay pride, Aids awareness and animal rights events. She also appeared on VH-1 in the ' I Love Series ' and on MTV's' New Year's Eve Top 100 Countdown'.
>- The Robin Byrd show was parodied on Saturday Night Live' in a series of skits airing in 1997 and 1998. Byrd herself was played by Cheri Oteri.
- As of 2011, 'THE ROBIN BYRD SHOW' continues to be aired seven nights a week, unscrambled, and uncut.
Q. What's the story about the bikini you wear on the show? A. When I danced, a costume maker had a grandmother who crochetted. She crochetted the original one. A few years later, I needed to replace it. While walking down the streets of NYC I came across a street vendor who was selling crochetted clothing for kids. I noticed that she had a swim suit like my costume, only for children. I asked her if she could make me the costume similar to the size I wore. The answer was "yes." I loved it because it would actually show everything and nothing at the same time. So I had her make me more. And that's what you see me wearing on the show. Since I'm a wash'n'wear girl, they're made of acrylic, not wool and have a silver thread running through it for sparkle. I've had at least 60 made over the years.Q. Where did you get the Robin Byrd Show neon sign? A. It was a birthday present from "the head gopher" back in 1980 or 81. I had always loved the heart logo used on the "I Love Lucy" TV show and how they incorporated the show title with the heart. I still have the original sign even though we had to repair some of the glass tubing over the years. It was such an important background to the show that it has become part of our logo.Q. Is the show seen anywhere outside of New York City?A. Sometimes it seems so when I travel because a lot of fans tape the shows and send it to friends all over the world. But, no we are only seen on Manhattan leased access cable television - Channel 35. Most cable systems think that their viewers are not adult enough to make their own decisions and that's why it's not shown outside NYC.Q. When and why did you start using the white fingernails? A. From the beginning of the show to about 1989 I used silk nail raps. But I wanted
to go all
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