Phyllis Linda Hyman Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family
Deep-voiced and statuesque, Phyllis Hyman sang with a life-affirming energy and emotional intensity found in few other female vocalists. Born in Philadelphia in 1949 (and raised in Pittsburgh), her professional career began in New York City where, during an engagement, she was spotted by producer Norman Connors and contemporaries Jean Carne and ...
Full Name
Phyllis Linda Hyman
Net Worth
$7 Million
Date Of Birth
July 6, 1949
Died
1995-06-30
Place Of Birth
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Height
6' 2" (1.88 m)
Profession
Actress, Soundtrack, Music Department
Nicknames
Phyllis Hyman, Hyman, Phyllis
Star Sign
Cancer
#
Trademark
1
Always performed without shoes
2
Sometimes cried on cue in her songs
3
Fancy hats, large chandelier-sized earrings
#
Quote
1
Just order me up a drink and a lot of food and I'm ready for the ride! ...on flying.
2
You have to persevere...you will get as much out of this business as you put into it.
3
"Oh, I'm a ballad queen for sure... I don't dig dance stuff very much but I seem to hit the charts with it. Go figure..." (on her material)
4
"I was pretty much a basket case for the first year - I didn't think I was that good. Then when the Tony nomination came through and I got the Theatre World Award - I really thought they gave it to me 'cause there was no-one else.." (on her Broadway debut)
5
"I guess I'm better off fat - than dead!" (on quitting smoking & gaining weight)
6
"Be nice to take that thing home and put it on my wall - but you know it ain't even real. Just a record they spray-painted gold. But that's OK. I'll take this and be more than thrilled! I've been in the business long enough to collect a whole bunch of them suckers!" (on her album "Living All Alone" going gold)
#
Fact
1
Was the eldest of seven children.
2
Was an excellent cook, and enjoyed cooking. Even had a couple of her recipes featured in Ebony Magazine.
3
Was nominated for Broadway's 1981 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) for her performance in the tribute to Duke Ellington, "Sophisticated Ladies," which ran from March 1, 1981 to January 2, 1983.
4
Her voice was featured on nationally heard jingles from Burger King, Red Lobster, American Airlines, Mastercard & Lysol to name but a few.
5
Was a spokeswomen for Fashion Fair cosmetics in the 80s.
First cousin once removed of actor Earle Hyman. Her great-grandparents Ismael Hyman and Cassandra Cross are Mr. Hyman's parental grandparents.
8
Once had to travel across town in a speeding New York City firetruck, sirens wailing, to make a matinee performance of "Sophisticated Ladies."
9
Her favorite cartoon character was Garfield the cat.
10
Was one of Bill Cosby's favorite singers and opening acts.
11
Two of Phyllis' most important causes were AIDS and the plight of the homeless.
12
She was considered for the role of Shug Avery in The Color Purple (1985).
13
Once a fashion model.
14
She married her manager, Larry Alexander, in the late 1970s; their marriage and professional relationship lasted nearly ten years. Larry's brother was well-known jazz pianist Monty Alexander.
15
Left a suicide note before swallowing an overdose of sleeping pills on Memorial Day Weekend, 1995. At the time she was battling drug and alcohol addiction and weight gain. Ironically, she had just finished recording the song "I Refuse to Be Lonely."
16
She worked with a Miami group called The Hondo Beat.
17
She formed her own band Phyllis Hyman and the PH Factor before relocating to New York.
18
After the group New Direction disbanded, she joined a Miami group called All The People.
19
Hit #101 on the Billboard Singles Charts in 1980 with "You Know How to Love Me" (Arista 0463)
20
Hit #103 on the Billboard Singles Charts in 1977 with "Loving You - Losing You" (Buddah 567)
21
Suffered from bi-polar disorder (manic depression) in her later life, which led to her eventual suicide.
22
She died a few hours before she was due to perform at the Apollo Theater.
23
Started her professional career with the group New Direction.
24
Was a legal secretary before being discovered by Norman Connors.
25
She won a Theater World award for Best Newcomer for "Sophisticated Ladies".
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Kill Reflex
1989
Irene
School Daze
1988
Phyllis (uncredited)
Lenny
1974
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Kill Reflex
1989
performer: "Meet Me On The Moon"
School Daze
1988
performer: "Be One"
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
1979
performer: "Magic Mona"
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Children of Sanchez
1978
vocalist
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Soul Train
1992
TV Series documentary
Herself
Ebony/Jet Showcase
1987-1991
TV Series
Herself
Barry Manilow: Big Fun on Swing Street
1988
TV Movie
Herself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1987
TV Series
Herself
Late Night with David Letterman
1986
TV Series
Herself
Too Scared to Scream
1985
Herself (uncredited)
A Celebration of Life: A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.
1984
TV Special documentary
Herself
Eubie Blake: A Century of Music
1983
TV Movie
Herself
Broadway Plays Washington on Kennedy Center Tonight
1982
TV Movie
Herself
The 24th Annual Grammy Awards
1982
TV Special
Herself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1981
TV Movie
Herself
The 35th Annual Tony Awards
1981
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Best Featured Actress in a Musical
The Mike Douglas Show
1980
TV Series
Herself - Vocalist
Soul Alive
1977
TV Series
Herself
Archive Footage
Known for movies
The Kill Reflex (1989) as Irene
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1981) as Herself
The 35th Annual Tony Awards (1981) as Herself - Nominee: Best Featured Actress in a Musi
Barry Manilow: Big Fun on Swing Street (1988) as Herself
