Dr. Joyce Brothers, the Jewish psychologist who achieved fame by dispensing advice on TV and radio, as well as winning the top prize on a 1950s game show, has died.
Brothers died May 13 in New York. She was 85.
“The Dr. Joyce Brothers Show” in the 1950s helped normalize the public discussion of psychological issues, setting the stage for future media psychologists such as Dr. Phil and Dr. Laura.
She went on to become a syndicated columnist, the author of 15 books and a frequent guest on “The Tonight Show.” She also made cameos in movies and on TV shows such as “Happy Days,” “Taxi” and “The Simpsons.”
Before earning her psychology degree at Cornell University and her doctorate at Columbia, Brothers became well known with a 1955 appearance on “The $64,000 Question” game show. Brothers won the top prize after an intense study on boxing (contestants were quizzed on the subject of their choice). — jta