Savannah

Born on October 9, 1970, in Laguna Beach, California, she began her career as a model and took small roles in mainstream movies. While auditioning, she caught the eye of small-time actor and porn director Rex Cabo, who found her stunning and convinced her to sign with an agent for nude modeling. After she appeared in Penthouse and Hustler, Cabo was proven right; in 1990 she was offered nearly ten times what a new actor would earn for her first adult film. Her movies became the highest-grossing of 1990, and in 1991 Vivid offered her the largest deal ever for a porn star, allowing her to also shoot for other companies. At the peak of her fame, she was earning huge sums, but her personal life spiraled out of control. Fame and money went to her head, giving her a reputation as a diva who would show up late or cancel at the last minute. She partied at rock clubs on Los Angeles's Sunset Strip, developed a drug problem, and often needed to be high and drunk to perform. Her behavior and attitude cost her the Vivid contract in 1993, and by 1994 she was working far less frequently. Fellow porn star Teri Weigel described her as a massive bitch with an ego the size of California, claiming Savannah required cocaine and Jack Daniels on set or she would not shoot.

Savannah's personal life was as eventful as her career. She dated singer Billy Idol, Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil, Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth, bassist Billy Sheehan, comedian Pauly Shore, guitarist Slash, and actor Mark Wahlberg. She was also in a relationship with fellow porn star Jeanna Fine in the early '90s, though it was not exclusive. Fine later described Wilsey as someone searching for love. Her last boyfriend, Pauly Shore, said she was two people: the sweet, loving Shannon who hated doing porn and wanted a family, and the drug-addicted, over-the-top diva Savannah.

Tragically, Savannah died by suicide on July 11, 1994, at age 23, shortly after a car accident left her with facial injuries. She panicked that her face would be scarred forever. She had played a defining role in the adult industry's transition to the '90s, and her short but powerful career left an enduring mark. Rex Cabo, who discovered her, also died by suicide in 2005. Savannah's status as a superstar of her era stands, even as her life ended so early.