Fire Island Pines People: Robin Byrd
Among the personalities known to frequent Fire Island Pines, none stood out quite like Robin Byrd. Robin Byrd is a former American porn actress and host of “The Robin Byrd Show,” a show that appeared on commercial-use cable television in New York City for over 30 years.
Early Life
Robin Byrd was born on April 6, 1957 in New York City. As an adopted child, she was never able to identify her biological parents as her adoptive mother was unwilling to reveal that information and the state records were sealed. At 13, she ran away from home and immediately started working. She passed the GED at 18, put herself through college, and set her sights on entertainment.
Robin Byrd’s Entertainment Career
Start In Entertainment
At the time of her debut film, Debbie Does Dallas, Byrd was still going by the name “Robin Cohen.” She had decided to drop out of studying marketing and advertising at Baruch College and was working as a nude model at the School of Visual Arts instead. After filming Debbie Does Dallas, she went on to star in multiple porn films during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The “Hot Legs” Show in 1979
After guest-hosting on a leased-access cable show called “Hot Legs,” Robin changed the name to “The Robin Byrd Show” in 1979. 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 appeared as guests to perform fully nude stripteases and sometimes even took calls from viewers. Byrd and her guests also frequently engaged in on screen play at 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.
Robin’s Accomplishments Through the 80s and 90s
1988: Byrd competed in a bodybuilding competition hosted by a television show called “Modern Women”
1993: Byrd played a minor part in a Disney film with Michael J. Fox titled ‘Life with Mikey’
1999: Richard Avedon photographed Byrd for a feature in ‘The New Yorker’ on famous and influential New Yorkers
As the Silver Convention song states “Fly Robin Fly” our Robin Byrd did just that time and time again…
Robin Byrd and Fire Island Pines
While Robin was busy writing, producing, directing, and hosting her show in the early 70’s, she came across Fire Island. Up until then, she had been particularly restless and often moved from community to community until she found Cherry Grove and The Fire Island Pines. These communities welcomed her with open arms and Robin finally decided to settle down.
Since then, Robin has been an active member of the Pines and Cherry Grove communities. Whether it’s a dog show, an AIDS benefit, the Miss F.I. Contest, or a FIPPOA meeting, she’s sure to be passionately involved.
Robin Byrd At The 1990’s Benefit
1991 Dog Show with Jerry Herman
Miss Fire Island 1992
1997: Robin Byrd greets the Invasion
Robin’s Accomplishments Through the 2000s
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.
2000: BMG released a CD called “Lie Back And Get Comfortable – Robin Byrd presents Latin love songs to make love to”.
2003: Robin hosted several events during Gay Pride Week in New York. One of which, titled “Sex in the City,” featured a panel of academics, activists and physicians who explored the meaning LGBT sexual culture and health in New York today.
2003: Marc Juris, formerly of Fuse TV famously plastered Robin Byrd on New York City’s bus fleet as part of its rebranding.
2005: Robin Byrd performed & hosted the absurd weekly “Speedo Bulge” contests at the “Fire Island Pines Pavilion.”
2012: Robin Byrd returned to the Stage with the weekly hilarious high-spirited bawdy “Robin Byrd Show-Live” variety show at The Cutting Room 44 East 32 Street,/Park Ave. Fun & Fantasy is back in NYC.
2013": Robin Byrd opened the newly re-built legendary Fire Island Pines nightclub, “The Pavilion” with the humoresque Robin Byrd Presents “‘Boy’ Burlesque.”
2014: Robin hosted “High Tea” every Saturday and Sunday at The Fire Island Pines “Pavilion”
2014: Robin introduced her Dance song “Touch Me.” A collaboration with talented Record producer and songwriter, Lovari-Lovari.
2014-2015: Robin hosts & performs at the monthly Disco Tea Dance party at ‘The Monster’ in Greenwich Village, N.Y.C.
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’.
Robin Byrd Today
Robin remains an active member of both The Pines and Grove communities.
