Deborah Clearbranch
Penthouse Star, June 1974

Deborah Clearbranch Bio

April 27, 1956 / Taurus / Age 68

Deborah Clearbranch is an American-born Penthouse model, glamour model, striptease artist, adult model and pornographic actress of the Golden Age of Porn. She was born as Deseree Cousteau on April 27, 1956 in Savannah, Georgia, United States. During her modeling career, she was sometimes credited as Desire Clearbranch or Deborah Carter.

Deborah Clearbranch was a Penthouse Star and featured model in June 1974. Her measurements are 34-25-35. Deborah Clearbranch has charming brown eyes, rich brown hair, and natural breasts.

Desiree Cousteau, initially aiming for a career in mainstream modeling, found her aspirations hindered by industry standards. Despite her dedication, the doors to the modeling world remained mostly closed, relegating her talents to lingerie modeling. Her acting debut in Jonathan Demme's "Caged Heat" under the alias Deborah Clearbranch showcased her versatility, yet her career seemed to plateau. A pivotal moment arrived with a 1974 Penthouse photoshoot, also as Deborah Clearbranch, marking her entry into a world that would soon define her legacy.

Her transition to the adult film industry in the late 1970s was marked by significant personal and professional changes, including her relationship with Jeff Scheer. She quickly ascended to stardom with her groundbreaking performance in "Pretty Peaches," a role that earned her critical acclaim and established her as a pornographic icon. Her distinctive naif persona became her trademark, leading to a prolific year in 1979 with numerous films and magazine features, solidifying her status in the industry.

Despite her success, Cousteau's journey was not without its challenges. Interviews and colleagues' accounts reveal a complex figure, perhaps at odds with her on-screen persona. Her candid reflections on preferring the isolative nature of striptease over the intimacy of film underscored her nuanced relationship with her career. By 1981, after a series of live performances and legal encounters, Cousteau stepped back from the limelight, leaving a legacy that continued to resonate through adult entertainment.

Even after her retreat from public view, Cousteau's work remained a cornerstone of adult cinema, celebrated through hall of fame inductions and continued admiration from fans and critics alike. Her story, one of ambition, transformation, and introspection, remains a compelling chapter in the annals of adult entertainment history.

She was inducted into the XRCO Hall of Fame in 1993 and into the AVN Hall of Fame in 1997.