Despite the fact that John M. East came from a well respected theatrical family (his grandfather was silent film actor John East 1860-1924) he became better known as a performer in sex films. After a successful career as a broadcaster, stage actor and bit-part player in British television comedies, East met porno producer David Sullivan in 1977. The two men became great friends and soon East was featuring alongside legendary sex symbol Mary Millington in Sullivan's numerous low-budget film productions. After Millington's premature death in 1979, East continued to perform in X-rated movies, including Emmanuelle in Soho (1981) which he also co-wrote and produced. In poor heath in recent years, East suffered a debilitating stroke in 1999.