Darras Robert Pyron (August 3, 1959 â July 10, 1991), known professionally as Lee Ryder, was an American gay adult film actor and accomplished floral designer. A prominent figure during the "Golden Age" of the gay adult film industry in the early 1980s, he later transitioned into a career in high-end floral artistry, providing arrangements for Hollywood television sets and luxury hotels.
Robert Pyron, often called "Bobby" by friends, was born in Willows, California. He was the son of Darras Roosevelt Pyron and Dorothy Phyllis Dexter and grew up in the Laguna area. He was the brother of Debra Jean Riseling. He attended Esperanza High School in Anaheim, where he graduated before starting his career in entertainment. In a later interview with Stallion magazine, he recounted a significant relationship with an older man during his teens that ended tragically, an event he cited as a major influence on his early life.
Discovered by Mark Reynolds, Ryder became a legendary figure in 1980s gay cinema. His debut in All American Boys was followed by his breakout role in Falcon Studios' Huge (1982). Between 1982 and 1986, he starred in many gay film features, including Bijou Video classics like Screenplay, A Few Good Men, and Giants 1. Critics often cited his intense, "Joan Crawford-like" eyes as his most striking features.
During his peak years, he was a frequent cover model for gay publications such as In Touch, Blueboy, and Manshots. Critics often highlighted his distinctive, intense eyes and natural, unforced acting style.
Despite his fame in the adult industry, Pyron's primary professional interest was floral design. Pyron remained pragmatic about his "sex symbol" status, using his income to fund his true passion: floral design. He founded Pyron Designs and became a high-end florist for the Beverly Hills Hotel. He was known for his original, non-traditional arrangements. He worked for Crosley's Flowers in Los Angeles, where he created floral sets for the prime-time soap opera Dynasty and the Beverly Hills Hotel. He founded Pyron Designs, which operated in the 9000 Sunset building in West Hollywood and later in San Francisco.
Pyron was an avid traveler, visiting locations such as Switzerland, Germany, Jamaica, and the Panama Canal. For two years, he was in a relationship with Rod Phillips, whom he met on a film set.
In the late 1980s, Pyron was diagnosed with HIV. He eventually developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare neurological condition that led to the loss of his eyesight. Friends noted that he remained philosophical and was not bitter about his condition during his final years.
After spending his final year in San Francisco, Pyron's health declined significantly in mid-1991. He returned to Los Angeles and entered the Chris Brownlie AIDS Hospice, where he died of AIDS-related complications on July 10, 1991, at age 31.
A memorial service was held at the Hollywood United Methodist Church on July 14, 1991. His ashes were interred at Montecito Memorial Park in San Bernardino on July 26, 1991. He is memorialized on the AIDS Memorial Quilt. He was survived by his parents and his sister, Debra Jean Riseling.