Gloria Hendry
Encyclopedia
Gloria Hendry is an American
actress. She is sometimes credited as "Gloria Henry."
film For Love of Ivy
.
She is perhaps best known for portraying the Bond girl
, Rosie Carver in the James Bond
film Live and Let Die
. In that film, she became the first African American
woman to become romantically involved with 007. She is not, however, the first African-American Bond girl; that title went to Trina Parks
. When the film was first released in South Africa
, her love scenes with Roger Moore
were cut out because it was prohibited by the Apartheid government.
She later starred in several 1970s blaxploitation
films, including the 1973 film Black Caesar
and its sequel, the 1973 film Hell Up in Harlem
. She also portrayed the martial arts
expert, Sydney, in Black Belt Jones
.
Gloria has recently completed her memoir, entitled "Gloria". In it she discusses Bond, the films of the 70s, working as a Bunny at the famous Playboy Club in the 60s, modeling, singing and all the other amazing things that went on in her life. It's an open, honest account of what it meant for an African American woman to make a life for herself in the US during the 1960s.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress. She is sometimes credited as "Gloria Henry."
Career
Hendry began her acting career in the 1968 Sidney PoitierSidney Poitier
Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE is a Bahamian American actor, film director, author, and diplomat.In 1963, Poitier became the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field...
film For Love of Ivy
For Love of Ivy
For Love of Ivy is a 1968 romantic comedy film directed by Daniel Mann. The film stars Sidney Poitier, Abbey Lincoln, Beau Bridges, Nan Martin, Lauri Peters and Carroll O'Connor. The story was written by Sidney Poitier with screenwriter Robert Alan Arthur. The musical score was composed by Quincy...
.
She is perhaps best known for portraying the Bond girl
Bond girl
A Bond girl is a character or actress portraying a love interest, of James Bond in a film, novel, or video game. They occasionally have names that are double entendres or puns, such as "Pussy Galore", "Plenty O'Toole", "Xenia Onatopp", or "Holly Goodhead"...
, Rosie Carver in the James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
film Live and Let Die
Live and Let Die (film)
Live and Let Die is the eighth spy film in the James Bond series, and the first to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film was produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman...
. In that film, she became the first African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
woman to become romantically involved with 007. She is not, however, the first African-American Bond girl; that title went to Trina Parks
Trina Parks
Trina Parks is an American actor, vocalist, choreographer, principal dancer and dance instructor.She is most famous for portraying Thumper in 1971's Diamonds Are Forever.-Movies:* Diamonds Are Forever...
. When the film was first released in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, her love scenes with Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Sir Roger George Moore KBE , is an English actor, perhaps best known for portraying British secret agent James Bond in seven films from 1973 to 1985. He also portrayed Simon Templar in the long-running British television series The Saint.-Early life:Moore was born in Stockwell, London...
were cut out because it was prohibited by the Apartheid government.
She later starred in several 1970s blaxploitation
Blaxploitation
Blaxploitation or blacksploitation is a film genre which emerged in the United States circa 1970. It is considered an ethnic sub-genre of the general category of exploitation films. Blaxploitation films were originally made specifically for an urban black audience, although the genre's audience...
films, including the 1973 film Black Caesar
Black Caesar (film)
Black Caesar is a 1973 American blaxploitation film, starring Fred Williamson and Gloria Hendry. The film was written and directed by Larry Cohen. It is a remake of the 1931 film Little Caesar. It features a notable musical score by James Brown , his first experience with writing music for film...
and its sequel, the 1973 film Hell Up in Harlem
Hell Up in Harlem
Hell Up in Harlem is a 1973 blaxploitation film, starring Fred Williamson and Gloria Hendry. The film was written and directed by Larry Cohen...
. She also portrayed the martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
expert, Sydney, in Black Belt Jones
Black Belt Jones
Black Belt Jones is a 1974 American Blaxploitation action film. The main musical theme was performed by the funk guitarist Dennis Coffey. The film was featured as number 38 on the documentary The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.-Plot:...
.
Gloria has recently completed her memoir, entitled "Gloria". In it she discusses Bond, the films of the 70s, working as a Bunny at the famous Playboy Club in the 60s, modeling, singing and all the other amazing things that went on in her life. It's an open, honest account of what it meant for an African American woman to make a life for herself in the US during the 1960s.
External links
- The Gloria Hendry Interview (about Live and Let Die)
- Gloria Hendry's Fansite (in French)