She was born in Dorothy Staton on Valentines Day 1954 in Los Angeles, but raised in Dayton, Ohio. During her school years Dorothy was pretty much a naive girl and knew little about sex or ventured into that area. But in the years to come she would certainly make up for lost time. After finishing high school she took a position at the University of California Berkeley as a secretary. Wanting to supplement her income she answered an ad in the Berkley newspaper to do some modeling that paid $300 a day. Married at the time, and a much more sexual person, she and her husband got a gig doing a few loops for Swedish Erotica and Pleasure Productions. She also began to do live shows for Alex De Renzy at his popular Playpen Club in San Francisco and would also do some club work for the Mitchell Brothers. Dorothy was a busty, very curvaceous female with blonde hair a great look that had that “I need you” appearance. It was a gentleman by the name of John Seeman who would help her meet the right people in the business.
She was cast in her first feature, “Formal Faucet” and it turned into a disaster. Her voice was over dubbed, the film was overly edited making her literally unrecognizable. She was angry, disappointed and ready to forget the whole idea of doing porn. Seeman and others convinced her to hang in that things would get better and they did. Though she only had small roles as a supporting player in films like “Female Athletes”, “Blonde Fire” and “Bad Company” two things about Dorothy became quickly evident. She was one very hot and real sexual being on the set and in her scenes. Adding to her appeal and sexuality was the fact that Ms. LeMay possessed some serious acting chops allowing her to deliver lines with total convincing realism in a film.
As the 80′s began, Ms. LeMay began to become a much more recognizable name as her career began to take off with some solid lead roles. She did a film called “Sensual Encounters of Every Kind” with the late John Leslie. She would also co star in the 1980 film classic “Taboo” with Kay Parker and also in “Taboo 2”, as well as another classic “Talk Dirty To Me”. Her outstanding performances in those films and critical acclaim she received would lead to Dorothy getting the starring role in a film that would turn out to be her very best film. It is also the one she is most remembered for in her relatively short career in porn. That was in 1981 when Ms. LeMay turned in a tour de force performance as Mrs Van Houten in the film “Nightdreams”. It was a dramatic, complex film about a sexually frustrated wife and her various erotic fantasies coming to life. To many in the industry, then and now, felt that Dorothy LeMay, because of her excellent acting skills and sexual talents, may have crafted one of the best erotic performances in porn. Looking at that film today, it is easy for this writer to see Ms. LeMay literally take over the screen in what one could rightfully call a truly scintillating and mesmerizing performance in every way.
After “Nightdreams” and its popularity and hype Dorothy, just coming into the height of her career, decided to leave the business and settle into a normal life.
After leaving adult she did have a small bit part in the Blake Edwards film “10”. A number of people she respected in the business tried to get her to return, but she refused and was finished with her adult film life. It is interesting to note that Dorothy LeMay only did 30 adult films over an 8 year period. But she was the consummate pro and only chose films that she felt were worthy of her talents. Further proof of her overall talent as a performer of stature, Ms. LeMay is a member of the AVN Hall of Fame and the highly touted film classic “Nightdreams” is in the XRCO Hall of Fame.
Today, Ms Lemay, who turns 61 next month, still lives in southern California very content with her normal life. Adult fans are fortunate, thanks to modern technology, that there is a very popular and active Dorothy LeMay website, www.dorothylemay.com and all of her classic films are now available on DVD. If you have never seen this extremely talented lady perform check out her films and enjoy the great movie memories Dorothy LeMay left behind for us all from a very special time in the golden age!
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
