Bruz Fletcher
Born
Stoughton Fletcher

(1906-03-12)March 12, 1906
Indiana
DiedFebruary 8, 1941(1941-02-08) (aged 34)
Los Angeles, California
EducationIndiana University
OccupationSinger
PartnerCasey Roberts

Bruz Fletcher 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

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] As a child, Fletcher's mother and grandmother committed 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

Known as the "Singing Satirist," Fletcher's lyrics 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

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

  1. 1 2 3 4 Alpern, Tyler. "Bruz Fletcher: Family Home, Casey & Sources". Bruz Fletcher Project: Remembering a Gay Voice. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Fletcher, Stoughton "Bruz"". Indiana Authors. Indiana University. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  3. ↑ Grey, Charlie. "This campy star of the '30s Pansy Craze was gloriously shady and super gay". Queerty. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "1935: Bruz Fletcher's Camp Style". Playground to the Stars. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  5. ↑ Timmons, Stuart (November–December 2006). "Bruz Fletcher livened up the 1930's". The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide. 13 (6). Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Bruz Fletcher". Queer Music Heritage. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
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