From The Cocoa Lounge
Hollywood had never seen the likes of a Brenda Sykes before she made her screen debut in the early 70s. Sure there were the Lena Horne's, Dorothy Dandridge's and Pearl Bailey's of era's gone by; pin-up beauties or heralded performers that became the staples of black entertainment. But no one was quite like Brenda.
The doe-eyed Louisiana native was a physical incarnation of the "Black is Beautiful" era. An antithesis of the buxom, brassy, heroines of the time (Pam Grier, Tamara Dobson, etc) Brenda Sykes, was, for a very brief moment in time, our Audrey Hebpurn.
Discovered on the Dating Game, Sykes went on to co-star in notable 70s films including Cleopatra Jones, Mandingo, and The Liberation of L.B. Jones. Though her acting career was mainly limited to supporting roles, Brenda Sykes imprinted herself forever in the psyche of many and remains a cellouid legend.
20 comments:
Shes was a cutey. It's too bad she stopped acting.
Hello! Why can't we see more pretty dark skinned girls like this on tv / the movies?
Love this post,I never heard of her but I must say she's definately a True Beauty!
wasn't she married to gil scott heron at one point?
Brenda was married to Gil Scott Heron and is the mother of his daughter, poet Gia Scott Heron.
A lot of actors from this era kept low profiles after the late 70's, so it's hard to keep up on exactly what's happening with them these days. We're just doing what we can. :)
Hey I found your page looking for info on Brenda Sykes. I really dig it.
I just had a question about a rumor that was floating around back in the day. Didn't Brenda used to date Jim Brown? There waas always rumors about him abusing the women he dated. Good to hear that sista moved on if any of it was true.
Thank you for this. It is hard to find much biography information on Brenda Sykes.
I'm doing a report on the movie Mandingo and thought I would look for stuff on her since I don't know a lot of movies she's been in. Thanks again.
Tre
HELLO
I AM SO GLAD TO HEAR SOMEONE ELSE HAS ASKED ABOUT BRENDA SYKES. I USED TO SEE HER ALOT BACK IN THE DAY AND THOUGHT SHE WAS VERY TALENTED. WHAT DOES SHE LOOK LIKE NOW THAT SHE IS OLDER? SHE SHOULD STILL KEEP ACTING. COULD YOU POST A PICTURE OF HER AND HER DAUGHTER IN THE PRESENT? THANKS SAC FROM INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
I have been looking for information on Brenda Sykes and this is the first time I have actually found anything. I remember her from back in the 70's when I was a little girl and wondered what happened to her. Back then she was all over the place, on tv and in movies and then she just disappeared. The last thing I remember seeing her in was Ozzie's Girls, then nothing. I agree with Anonymous, I would love to see pictures of what she looks like today and hear what she has been up to.
Thank you for the images!!!! A true beauty!!!!
Thanks for interesting article.
Thanks for the nice post!
Excellent website. Good work. Very useful. I will bookmark!
Beautiful Photos
Beautiful Photos
Don't really know why, but the lovely Ms. Sykes came to mind and I googled. Glad I did; your site will be on my favorites list!
My, how time has passed... I don't believe that she's older than I am. Your comment on her being "our" Audrey Hepburn says it all! Magazines, TV, movies, Brenda was everywhere in the seventies. I too, would also love to see a current photo.
Also, though I was a Gill Scott Heron fan back in the day, I never knew that they were married.
I don't know if she and Big Jim Brown were ever a couple; but I'd like to refute the comment that Jim is a female abuser. Sure, he had some issues, but I know him and times were different, people were different, and I don't think he deserves that "jacket."
Love your site!
Whistler's Mother---Los Angeles/Las Vegas.
I was telling coworkers about what I considered to be the first true night soap opera "Executive Suite" and the only name I could remember was that of Brenda Skyes. Brenda was a persona of the truly beautiful, sweetly seductive, capable and intelligent black woman of the seventies that has made a postive impression for many. It is nice to know that there is someone/where out there that hasn't forgotten such a talented and forward moving female at a time when Hlwd was probably giving females, let alone black actresses, a difficult time. Kudos to you for this bio. you've provided, keep up the good work.
I would like to know if there is and update on Sir Lady Java.
I loved her as actress and had a crush on her back in the day along with Pam Grier. I ask my peers about them remembering Brenda Sykes and they couldnt place her, but I remember her. Ebony or Jet ought to do an article on her with recent photos. Many fans like me just want to know if she is alright and what is she doing right now.
I just watched the movie "Black Gunn' on satellite and was struck by the incredible beauty of a supporting actress who was unknown to me.
The "Internet Movie Database" (IMDB) revealed her name to be Brenda Sykes...and then I did a search on Wikipedia to find out information on her career. There was nothing there.
Why don't you copy this 'Cocoa Lounge' bio to Wikipedia?
It's important that our black children can read about our people in Wikipedia.
It's essential that ALL our stars and celebrities are represented in Wikipedia...so that they are no longer just a footnote in film history.
Post a Comment