Goddess Bunny

Sandra "Sandie" Crisp(January 13, 1960 – January 27, 2021), better known by her stage nameThe Goddess Bunny, was anAmericanentertainer,drag queen,actress, andmodel.Footage of histap dancing, originally recorded around 1987, was the subject of one of the firstviral videos.
Sandie Crisp was born on January 13, 1960,inSanta Monica, California, to John Wesley Baima, anItalianlawyer,and Betty Baima, a half-Cherokeesecretary.Much of what is known of Crisp's life comes from her own retellings of events, some of which were fabricated. For instance, in 2018, Crisp claimed to have participated in the firstParalympic Gamesin 1974, but no such event took place that year inLos Angeles, where Crisp was based at the time.
Crisp was atransgender woman, transitioning in the late 1970s.She performed as adrag queenduring evenings.After meeting fellow drag queenGlen Meadmoreon the set ofHollywood Vice Squad, Crisp would become his friend and collaborator.
Crisp contractedpoliomyelitissoon after birth and was subjected to themalpracticeof multiple doctors, resulting in lifelong disfigurement which necessitated Crisp using awheelchair.After Crisp's parents divorced, Crisp lived in various foster homes for disabled children. These homes routinely subjected Crisp to physical andsexual abuse, largely due to Crisp's gender identity and disability. As a teenager Crisp went to live with her mother, coming out as atrans girlaged 14.Her mother was deeply religious and rejected her gender identity, insisting on calling Crisp by her birth name, although Crisp would return to live with her mother at times during her adult life.
Crisp began pursuing a career in the entertainment industry immediately after graduating from high school.She made her acting debut as Charlene in the 1986 filmHollywood Vice Squad.She later made an appearance in the music video for "The Dope Show" byMarilyn Manson.Crisp claims she was "paid nothing from the start" for her roles inmusic videos.
In 1994, she was the subject of adocumentarytitledThe Goddess Bunny, directed byNick Bougas.Another documentary about Crisp, titledBunnyand made by Hunter Ray Barker, was released in 2019. The film is based in the assisted living facility Crisp resided in during her later years, and features fans of Crisp includingGene Simmons.
TheLouvrehasThe Goddess Bunny as Leda(1986), anude photoof Crisp taken byJoel-Peter Witkin, as part of its permanent collection.
Although Bunny had no biological children of her own, she informally 'adopted' fansincluding photographer Chuck Grant, who is the sister of pop musicianLana Del Rey.
She reportedly met one of her sons, film director Hunter Ray Barker, in a Mexican restaurant.Crisp acted as a muse for Barker, who made a short documentary film about her.
Crisp lived at an assisted living facility inInglewood, California, towards the end of her life.She died ofCOVID-19in Los Angeles, on January 27, 2021, 14 days after her 61st birthday.
Lana Del Rey posted a tribute to Crisp on her Instagram page.Crisp's son, Hunter Ray Barker, created aGoFundMeappeal to raise money to cover Crisp's funeral expenses, seeking to honor her wish to be buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.