Renowned Celebrity Hairstylist Jeffrey A. Woodley Dies at 71

Key Takeaways

• Jeffrey A. Woodley was a renowned celebrity hairstylist, scholar, and youth track and field star who passed away on December 10 due to complications from acute respiratory distress syndrome.
• He was known for his creativity, precision, and cultural influence in the entertainment and fashion industries, and worked with hundreds of celebrities, including Diahann Carroll, Whitney Houston, and Aretha Franklin.
• Mr. Woodley was also a devoted family man, mentor, and friend, and was described as authentic, generous, and proud of his Philadelphia roots.
• He was a lifelong learner, earning his General Educational Development diploma and attending classes at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, and was working on his memoir at the time of his death.

Introduction to Jeffrey A. Woodley’s Life
Jeffrey A. Woodley, a 71-year-old internationally celebrated celebrity hairstylist, scholar, youth track and field star, mentor, and favorite uncle, passed away on December 10 at Mount Sinai West Hospital in Manhattan. Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Mr. Woodley discovered his passion for hairstyling, beauty culture, and fashion at a young age. He experimented with cutting and curling his younger sister Aminta’s hair at home, and later attended the old Wilfred Beauty Academy on Chestnut Street, where he quickly earned a chair at Wanamaker’s popular Glemby Salon.

Rise to Fame as a Celebrity Hairstylist
Mr. Woodley’s talent and dedication to his craft took him to New York in the mid-1970s, where he was recruited by famed stylist Walter Fontaine. Over the next 30 years, he worked with hundreds of actors, entertainers, models, athletes, and celebrities, including Diahann Carroll, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, and Tyra Banks. His hairstyles were featured in numerous publications, including GQ, Vanity Fair, Ebony, Jet, Essence, Vibe, and Vogue Italia, and in advertising campaigns for L’Oréal and other products. Actor Terry Burrell described Mr. Woodley as "the go-to hair stylist for every Black diva in New York City," while Pauletta Washington credited him with helping her develop her artistic identity.

Collaborations and Legacy
Mr. Woodley’s work took him around the world, and he collaborated with noted makeup artists Reggie Wells and Eric Spearman. Model Marica Fingal praised Mr. Woodley as "uber talented" and noted that he was "one of the most skilled artists, creating stunning, innovative styles for models and celebs alike." His career was marked by creativity, precision, and cultural influence, and he was often quoted as an expert in coiffure and a fashion forecaster. In 1989, he predicted that texture would become a key factor in hairstyles, and in 2000, he noted that low maintenance would be the way of the future.

Personal Life and Later Years
Despite his success, Mr. Woodley remained humble and dedicated to his family and community. He was a lifelong learner, earning his General Educational Development diploma and attending classes at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, where he studied literature, Black history, and spiritual writing. After losing his sight to glaucoma in 2005, Mr. Woodley retired from hairstyling and focused on his writing and education. He was working on his memoir at the time of his death, and his friend Khadija Kamara noted that "the entirety of his life was inspired by an insatiable thirst for knowledge."

Tributes and Legacy
Mr. Woodley’s family and friends remembered him as authentic, generous, and proud of his Philadelphia roots. He was a devoted mentor to his nieces and nephews, and hosted them on long visits to his home in New York. His sister Aminta described him as having "a wonderful spirit" and noted that he "knew the Lord, lived life to the fullest, and was a joy to be with." A celebration of his life was held on December 22, and donations in his name may be made to the Abyssinian Baptist Church and the Anna E. Woodley Music Appreciation Fund at Bowie State University.

Conclusion
Jeffrey A. Woodley’s life was a testament to the power of creativity, hard work, and dedication. From his early days as a young hairstylist in Philadelphia to his rise to fame as a celebrity stylist in New York, Mr. Woodley remained true to his passion and his roots. His legacy continues to inspire and influence the entertainment and fashion industries, and his memory will be cherished by his family, friends, and the countless individuals he touched throughout his life.