Bruz Fletcher
Born
Stoughton Fletcher

(1906-03-12)March 12, 1906
DiedFebruary 8, 1941(1941-02-08) (aged 34)
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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