Black History Month Salutes Gloria Hendry

As you know, Every week for the Month of February, I am doing a tribute to an African American. I was exploring possibilities, who would I spotlight on my 2^nd week of Black History Month.  I wanted to talk about someone who has paved the way for African American Actresses and have changed this country despite the many odds against them. I wanted someone who is Beautiful, Intelligent and an Influential Black Women. Someone who has made history…who better to spotlight then my client “Gloria Hendry” 


Born in Winter Haven, Florida, raised in Newark, New Jersey.  Gloria excelled academically, in various sports and played the violin throughout her education and in the Essex County All-City Orchestra. While nightly attending the Essex College of Business for Law School, she spun off her career during the day performing TV commercials, voiceovers, photo –illustrative modeling and doing runway fashion shows. Gloria’s first job was an assistant to the legal secretary in the New York office of the NAACP.  She then applied in illustrious New York Playboy Club and became one of the first African American Playboy Bunnies.

There she was spotted by various writers, advertising agents, managers and casting directors, who later casted her in  “For the love of Ivy” with Sidney Poitier and Abbey Lincoln, which was her first film.   

Gloria, is perhaps best known for portraying the BOND GIRL, Rosie Carver in the James Bond film “Live and Let Die”.  In the film, she became and made history being the first African American Women to become romantically involved with ‘007 (Roger Moore). 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 the Apartheid government prohibited it. 

Gloria, was then introduced as one of the first female action leads, along with beginnings of Independent Film making.  She starred in “Black Caesar”, “Hell up in Harlem”, both with Fred Williamson, “Black Belt Jones”, she portrayed the martial arts expert, Sydney with Jim Kelly (whom I personally had a crush on when he was in the film Enter the Dragon with Bruce Lee, both of these actors were my crush).  “Slaughters Big Rip Off”, with Jim Brown,  “Bare Knuckles” and “Savage Sisters” one of my personal favorites.  Gloria has done several guest starring roles in televisions shows such as, Doogie Howser, Falcon Crest, and As the World Turns just to name a few.

A violinist, a tennis player, a model, a playboy bunny, a singer, a stage actress, a director, a producer, a writer, an author and most especially, a ‘007 James Bond African American women who has open the door for others such as, Halle Berry to play a love scene with James Bond. I salute you, respect you and thank you for your contribution to history. 

Gloria Hendry Official Website
Buy Gloria Hendry's Book