Brenda Sykes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brenda Sykes
Sykes in a publicity photo for television series Ozzie's Girls, c. 1972
Born	(1949-06-25) June 25, 1949 (age 76) Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Education	Susan Miller Dorsey High School
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1968–1978
Spouse(s)	Gil Scott-Heron ​ (m. 1978⁠–⁠1987)​
Children	1

Brenda Sykes is an American actress who was popular in movies and TV shows during the 1970s. She was born on June 25, 1949. Brenda was first discovered on a TV show called The Dating Game.

Brenda Sykes's Early Life and Career

Growing Up and Education

Brenda Sykes was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. She grew up in Los Angeles, California. Her father worked for the postal service. Brenda went to Susan Miller Dorsey High School and finished in 1967. After high school, she studied at UCLA for two years. She focused on political science and also studied French.

Starting Her Acting Journey

A famous producer named Aaron Spelling suggested Brenda try acting. He told her to go to the Professional Theatre Workshop in Los Angeles. Brenda trained there for six months. She learned important acting skills like how to show emotions. She later continued her acting lessons with actor Jeff Corey.

Famous Roles in Movies and TV

Brenda Sykes played many interesting characters. She was the love interest of actor Jim Brown in the movie Black Gunn. Jim Brown said he helped her get the role because he liked her in real life.

From 1973 to 1974, Brenda starred in the TV show Ozzie's Girls. She played a college student named Brenda MacKenzie. Her character lived with Ozzie and Harriet Nelson.

She also played Mandy, one of Jimmie Walker's girlfriends, on the 1970s TV show Good Times. Brenda also had a main role on the first season of The Streets of San Francisco. She played Summer Johnson on the CBS series Executive Suite.

Brenda Sykes's Personal Life

Brenda Sykes was married to the musician Gil Scott-Heron. They were married from 1978 to 1987. They have a daughter named Gia Scott-Heron, who is a poet. A filmmaker named Esther Anderson described Brenda as "exquisitely beautiful, soft and refined." She said Brenda was like "the water in his life" compared to Gil Scott-Heron's fiery personality.

Brenda Sykes's Film Appearances

Brenda Sykes's Television Appearances