Bruz Fletcher
Bruz Fletcher | |
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| Born | Stoughton Fletcher March 12, 1906 Indiana |
| Died | February 8, 1941 (aged 34) Los Angeles, California |
| Education | Indiana University |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Partner | Casey Roberts |
Bruz Fletcher (March 12, 1906 – February 8, 1941) was a singer in Los Angeles, California, during the Pansy Craze. Born in Indiana, Fletcher gained fame as a singer at Club Bali, a popular nightclub during the Great Depression. Fletcher was openly gay and lived with his partner Casey Roberts.[1]
Early life
[edit]Fletcher was born to Stoughton A. Fletcher and Mae Henley Fletcher, who were one of the richest families in Indiana at the time.[2][3] When Fletcher was a child, his mother and grandmother ended their lives in a double suicide.[1] His sister, Louisa Fletcher, made headlines after being left at the altar of her wedding to a German count.[1] Fletcher attended Howe Military Academy and Indiana University and moved to Los Angeles in 1926.[2]
Career
[edit]Fletcher, known as the "Singing Satirist", was known for lyrics that were often gay coded.[4] In 1935, Fletcher was hired to perform at Club Bali on Sunset Boulevard for two weeks. After proving a popular draw, however, he remained at the club for over four years, performing for stars such as Humphrey Bogart, Ronald Reagan, and Howard Hughes.[4] Fletcher wrote two books and several plays.[5]
Personal life
[edit]Fletcher was openly gay, and his living arrangements with his partner Casey Roberts were openly written about in Hollywood newspapers at the time.[6] In 1941, Fletcher died by suicide at the age of 34.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Alpern, Tyler. "Bruz Fletcher: Family Home, Casey & Sources". Bruz Fletcher Project: Remembering a Gay Voice. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Fletcher, Stoughton "Bruz"". Indiana Authors. Indiana University. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ Grey, Charlie. "This campy star of the '30s Pansy Craze was gloriously shady and super gay". Queerty. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "1935: Bruz Fletcher's Camp Style". Playground to the Stars. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ Timmons, Stuart (November–December 2006). "Bruz Fletcher livened up the 1930's". The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide. 13 (6). Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ "Bruz Fletcher". Queer Music Heritage. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
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