Instant porn fame then……poof!

She only made 4 films in her porn career, but her name is synonymous with three of them, “Debbie Does Dallas” and the two sequels. Of course we are referring to Bambi Woods.

Born Debra DeSanto on July 12, 1955 in Pierre, South Dakota, she was raised in New Jersey. Coming from an upper middle class family Debra attended an exclusive Catholic Girl’s school. According to her, the school had no sports or cheerleaders, so when the film that would change her life came along she did not have any cheerleading experience. Debra was a big busted blonde and also very tall. Depending on what info you read she is either 5’10” or 6 ft. tall, but with her height, looks and build she made quite an imposing picture of womanly beauty.

Debra didn’t have the grades to attend college but wanted to study acting and theater. After graduating she moved from New Jersey over to the Big Apple (New York City for those who don’t know!) and took a job at a grocery store on Broadway. Like many hopefuls who take any job to support themselves while trying to break into show business, she ran into some financial troubles. Debra had a friend who had done a couple of films and told her some producers she knew were looking for new faces and go see them. Her friend told her they were going to pay around a thousand dollars a day, but the reality was it turned out to be only $350 which was still big for the time.

She really had no intention of becoming a porn star. Quoting her, she said, “The only reason I went in the first place was because I needed the money. I didn’t go looking for it, but I needed the money.” She was cast as Debbie in the original “Debbie Does Dallas” in 1978. So Debra became Bambi Woods, a star was born along with a film that would become an all time adult classic. Today, almost forty years later, it is still one of the top grossing adult films of all time. Many were of the impression it was a porn film about the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders which it wasn’t. The story line is about a group of high school cheerleaders who go to Dallas wanting to try out and become Cowgirls, but a lot of other things happen along the way.

Bambi would follow that up with a second sequel in 1983 and the third sequel in 1985. After doing the first film she also worked at the famous Melody Burlesque Theater in Times Square in New York City perfotming with such stars as Seka and Kandi Barbour. In 1983 she returned to do the “Debbie” sequel. In the first movie she only had one sex scene, in the second film she is in just about all of them. In the third and final “Debbie” film she only appeared in non sex scenes as the hardcore scenes were made up of outtakes from the other two films. While she was still a sexual bombshell, the sequel wasn’t near as successful.  Aside from doing a film loop for Swedish Erotica that was the extent of Bambi Woods porn career.

She disappeared from view and the stories and rumors began, including that she had died of a drug overdose and would even later become the subject of a documentary “Debbie Does Dallas Uncovered”.  According to actor Eric Edwards he had heard that story but wasn’t sure. “From what I heard from other sources I think her parents rescued her from the industry and took her away into seclusion and probably gave her counseling.”

The original “Debbie” film as we mentioned, is among the top grossing adult films of all time and aside from the sequels, there has also been the documentary and a series of Japanese comic books based on the movie. There was even, at one time, an Australian rock band called “Debbie Does” and even a stage musical done based on the movie. Needless to say because of the film and the somewhat parody of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, this movie has gained worldwide fame over the years.

That is quite a major accomplishment, when you consider the film originally had a whole different title, story line and backdrop. However, once this young, sexy, tall, 23 year old blonde walked into the producer’s office looking for a job because she needed the money it changed everything for the movie producers and Debra DeSanto.

Wherever Bambi Woods is today, and various rumors continue to circulate, she left an indelible mark on the industry in a very short time. If you are one of the few who have yet to see the original classic “Debbie Does Dallas” be sure you check out your favorite video store for the re issued DVD. It will be a pleasure to watch and enjoy with one of the most gorgeous girls to ever step in front of a camera.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN