Lost Boys: Vintage Images of Lee Ryder

Lost Boys: Vintage Images of Lee Ryder

Real Name: Darras Robert Pyron

Active Years: 1981-1986 

Born: August 3, 1959, Laguna CA

Died: July 10, 1991
Hair: Light Brown
Eyes: Green
Weight: 190
Height: 5’11”
Dick Size: 10” Cut

Born in Willows, California, Darras Robert Pyron grew up in Laguna and graduated from Esperanza High School in Anaheim. His number one interest was always floral arrangement, preferring to create his own designs rather than copying them out of books. He used to work for Crosley's Flowers in Los Angeles, preparing floral arrangements for the VIP rooms at the Beverly Hills Hotel. His designs also graced the sets on the TV series Dynasty.

Beginning in 1982, Bob (his favored name) adopted the professional name Lee Ryder in order to model. He had great success in the gay press and by 1984 had been on three magazine covers. During this time period he dated fellow porn star Rod Phillips. He was also much in demand for movies and made 13 between 1982 and 1986, including:  All American Boys ,  Spokes , Winner Takes All, The Biggest One I Ever Saw!, Huge 1 & 2, Daddies, and A Few Good Men. 

In a 1984 interview in Stallion magazine, he spoke pragmatically about his movie stardom. "I'm in the film business as a way of opening my own flower business," he said. "I can make a lot of money
quickly and get a grip on my future."

Bob was very much a nomad and enjoyed travelling. In his brief lifetime, he managed to see Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Switzerland, Germany, and Jamaica. While doing films he was also employed at the Flower Loft in San Bernardino and Riverside, eventually achieving his dream of having his own company. He owned and ran Pyron Designs in the 9000 Sunset building in West Hollywood, which later relocated to San Francisco.

After being diagnosed with HIV, Bob subsequently developed PML and lost his sight. He lived in a studio apartment in San Francisco during his last year, enjoying a simpler life. He was frequently seen visiting a PWA day-care center and having a few beers with friends during happy hour at a nearby bar. Those who knew him well said he was very philosophical about his past, enjoyed the fame, his travels, and recognition for his floral creations. They said had a remarkable personal dignity, and was not bitter about his loss of sight or the future.

While researching Lee Ryder's life, I came upon these testimonials. I thought they would give you a better idea of who he was than anything else.

Robert Bazan

I used to see Bob (then, underage, only 17 years old) at Newport Station in 1977. I was 22. One could not miss what was bobbing around in his sweat pants. We never talked there, but two weeks, later, I was standing, by the dance floor, at Ripples. He walked straight up to me and asked me if I wanted to go home with him. “Sure”, I said. Turns out we both lived in Huntington Beach at the time. We had a marathon sex adventure, switching back & forth roles (top & bottom); climaxing multiple times. This went on nonstop until late the next afternoon. Exhausted, we called it quits, but laughed and did it one more time. 

Several times, the guy he was living with, a doctor (Dr. Dale Smith, maybe?) came knocking at the door. (The doctor) was a pedophile. Bob had gotten too mature for him, so he used him as bait, to bring younger guys home from a nearby school. Creepy man. I lived at Villa Warner, then. Bob came over quite often. He told me that he was in love with me and he wanted to be boyfriends. I did not. I, too, had started going to gay bars at age 17. By the time I was 22, I had been taken advantage of and had my heart so many times that I had developed an aversion to the word 'love'. We became sex buddies for the next eight years, maybe three times a year. 

One day, about 1978, he came knocking at my door, asking for a ride to Laguna Beach. He and the doctor were, now, living in a house in Bluebird Canyon. The doctor was freaking out. Apparently, there was an arrest warrant for him for having sex with minors. He wanted Bob to help him get rid of his pornography. Bob and I had sex first, then I headed back to  Huntington. The doctor committed suicide that day. He took an overdose of pills, then tried slashing his wrists. Having no success, he pulled out a gun and shot himself. The last time we got together was in 1984.

Victor G

I met him at the Follies in D.C. in the mid 80’s. He was the star performer and it was my first time stripping. We met a couple hours before the first show and he asked me to his hotel room for champagne. We were inseparable the whole week. He loved to take care of me in every way possible. He lived in L.A. and, I, in the West Village, so a couple times when he came to NYC he would stay with me for a couple weeks. He was romantic, as well as a great time in bed.

Michael

We met by chance in 1983, when I was at a convention in L.A. (I was) from Texas, and never been with a guy. Bob and I walked passed each other on the street, liked the other’s looks, checked each other’s crotch, liked what we saw and were in a motel room instantly. Both hung; me: 8" uncut, him: 10". It was good times. Maintained contact and he visited me in Dallas twice, and me, him, once. Hated to see him go so young.

Paul
Darras Robert (Bob) Pyron was born in Norco, California, not Laguna. His parents and he worked, cleaning office buildings. I met Bob in Riverside, California at the Riverside Plaza. He rode a motorcycle. I was underage and ran away from home. He and I rode to Laguna on his bike. We stayed at the house of an older friend of his. He was able to get me into the Boom Boom Room and then we rode to San Diego before heading back to Riverside.

I lived in an apartment behind my parents house when I was in high school. Bob would come visit me late at night after my family was asleep. He was three years older than I. I spent many days at his family’s house in Norco, with him and his parents.

I attended a party at the house (that belonged to) him and his boyfriend. When his boyfriend went to the store with a friend and didn’t come back, they split up. After that, Bob moved to Laguna Beach. I last saw Bob briefly in front of the Boom Boom Room in 1983.

Glenn

I almost went into porn with him. In fact, I had a meeting with Jim French back then to do porn, but backed out of it. Yes, you are right about Bob. He was so dam sexy, more than he even knew. We were together for the better part of two years and it was something special. But I was too damn pig-headed and I take all the blame for us breaking up. I still think of him often and will, I'm sure, for the rest of
my life. 

Someone said Bob (Lee) had only one expression (deadpan). They obviously didn't really know him very well. I was with Lee for a little over a year out in the Norco area, where he is from. My brother had a place in Norco where he had some race horses, which Lee loved to ride. I was new to California and lived just up the street in Mira Loma where we had many good times. He had a serious side, but for the most part, loved to joke around. The biggest mistake of my life was when I let what we had go away. It was all my fault and I will miss him 'til the day I die. Bob, I'm back in Massachusetts, now, and still love and miss you after all these years.

John

Glenn, based on one of the magazine interviews, Lee stated that you were the “love of his life” and he would not have gone into porn if you didn't leave him. I am curious why did you leave him? I have always a big fan of Lee's for over 15 years now. He was the hottest guy on this planet and you were so lucky to spend part of your life with him!

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I first saw Lee Ryder in A Few Good Men.  I had no idea who he was, but I sure did like the look of his dick. I'm glad he got to realize his dream of owning his own floral shop. It's a pity his life was so short. But I don't think we can attribute his death to his time in the porn industry. It seems, based on the stories I found, that he was a pretty typical, randy guy, laying more pipe than the average plumber. 

His HIV status? Perhaps, more a sign of the times, than anything else. 

Midnight Rider - Gregg Allman and Friends