Joyce Bryant was a singer of the 1940s and ‘50s known as “The Bronze Blonde Bombshell” and “The Black Marilyn Monroe.”
- Died: November 20, 2022 (Who else died on November 20?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 95.
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The Bronze Blonde Bombshell
Bryant began singing in nightclubs in the mid-1940s, gaining attention for her rich voice and her beauty. She developed her signature look when she found herself sharing a bill with the legendary Josephine Baker (1906–1975). Wanting to shine alongside Baker, Bryant painted her hair with silver radiator paint for her appearance. Her striking appearance turned heads, and she continued painting her hair silver in subsequent appearances, while wearing daring backless mermaid dresses. Bryant’s singles included “Love for Sale,” “Runnin’ Wild,” and “Drunk with Love.” She was featured in a Life magazine photo spread, and Ebony magazine called her one of the five most beautiful Black women in the world in 1954. In the mid–1950s, Bryant left show business and became active in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and in civil rights, organizing fundraisers to help Black people in need of food, clothing, and medicine. Bryant returned to the stage in the 1960s with a new focus: She sang with the New York City Opera.
Tributes to Joyce Bryant
Full obituary: BET
