Lisa Lyon: Celebrated Bodybuilding Pioneer and Inspirational Mapplethorpe Muse, Passes Away at 70

Lisa Robin Lyon, born on May 13, 1953, in Los Angeles, had a captivating childhood filled with darkness and unique coping mechanisms. Her father, Leonard Lyon, was an esteemed oral surgeon, while her mother, Roslyn (Robin) Lyon, dedicated herself to homemaking.

In her conversation with Mr. Chatwin, Lisa shared insights into her early years, where she found solace in rituals such as counting and touching objects. Although her aspirations revolved around becoming a film star, an artist, or a medical illustrator, she ventured into the world of script synopses for a period of time.

While Lisa gained substantial fame as a bodybuilder, she gradually moved away from that realm. Notably, she penned a book titled “Lisa Lyon’s Body Magic” in 1981 and received the prestigious honor of being inducted into the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation Hall of Fame in 2000.

However, Mr. Mapplethorpe wasn’t the sole artist captivated by Ms. Lyon’s presence. Renowned photographers such as Helmut Newton, Marcus Leatherdale, and Lynn Davis meticulously captured her essence. Furthermore, Barry Flanagan, an Irish-Welsh sculptor, immortalized her in bronze. In the world of cinema, Lisa appeared in multiple films; most notably, she had a minor role as a stripper in the cheerfully criticized Grace Jones vehicle, “Vamp.”

In addition to her achievements, Lisa is survived by her sister, Duffy Hurwin. She experienced two unsuccessful marriages—one to an ethnologist and part-time bodybuilder, and another to Bernard Lavilliers, a renowned French singer-songwriter. Notably, she enjoyed a romantic relationship with John Lilly, an eccentric neuroscientist and author known for his work on isolation tanks and dolphin communication, which inspired Hollywood movies like “The Day of the Dolphin” (1973) and “Altered States” (1980). Remarkably, Lilly adopted Lisa in 1987. Tragically, her third husband, Alan Deglin, an actor, passed away in 2020.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Lisa revealed her desire to embody an animal-like appearance, specifically aiming for a sleek and feline aesthetic. She believed the highest compliment to her unique look would be if someone wondered, “What planet did she come from?”

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