MONROVIA, Calif. – The man accused of torturing and then suffocating his girlfriend last week inside the Monrovia, Calif., apartment they shared is a former preacher who dreamed of making it big in show business, authorities said Thursday.Brian Lee Randone, 45, holds degrees from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, according to a bio on the Baylor University website. Randone was employed by the Southern Baptist-affiliated university’s Waco, Texas, campus in 1996.

Police have charged Randone with the murder of Felicia Lee, 31, whose body was found Sept. 11. Lee appeared in adult movies and magazines under the nom de porn Felicia Tang. Her adult credits included a role in the soft-core feature Hotel Decadence (Peach DVD, 2004) and the hardcore Doctor Patient Privilege (Red Dragon Releasing, 2006) and Asian Fever (Peach DVD, 2003), as well as numerous photo spreads in calendars and magazines. She also appeared on Playboy television, according to her bio.

In addition, Lee did mainstream work, including roles in Rush Hour 2 and The Fast and the Furious.

Randone’s entertainment credits include working as a mime for Baylor and a 2000 appearance in the FOX reality show “The Sexiest Bachelor in America.”

Philippines-born Lee was described by adult industry acquaintances as “talented,” “upbeat,” “professional” and “easygoing.”

“We’ve worked with her off on and on for quite a few years,” a man who said he directed Hotel Decadence and identified himself only as Robby told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. “She was always pretty happy on set and laughing, and she always helped the crew get through the day.”

Randone is being held in lieu of $2 million bond.