Of Irish and Cherokee descent, Hyapatia Lee was a multi-talented performer from an early age—showing skills as a dancer, actress, choreographer, musician and singer; in fact, while in high school, she performed in several musicals. Entering the adult film business in 1983, Hyapatia worked during the "Golden Age of Porn" when, as she stated, "...we made real movies that just happened to have sex in them."