Fay McKenzie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fay McKenzie
Fay McKenzie, in a publicity photo c. 1940s
Born	Eunice Fay McKenzie (1918-02-19)February 19, 1918 Hollywood, California, U.S.
Died	April 16, 2019(2019-04-16) (aged 101) Highland Park, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Other names	Fay Shannon
Occupation	Actress, singer
Years active	1918–2018
Spouse(s)	Steve Cochran ​ ​ (m. 1946; div. 1948)​ Tom Waldman ​ ​ (m. 1948; died 1985)​
Children	2

Fay McKenzie (born February 19, 1918 – died April 16, 2019) was an American actress and singer. She started acting as a baby in silent films. Later, she became well-known for her roles in movies with the famous cowboy singer Gene Autry in the early 1940s.

Fay McKenzie also performed on Broadway, radio, and television. She appeared in her first movie when she was only ten weeks old in 1918. She continued acting for almost 100 years, with her last film project filmed in 2018. For a short time, she was known as Fay Shannon.

Biography

Early Life and Silent Films

Fay McKenzie was born on February 19, 1918, in Hollywood, California. Her parents, Eva and Robert McKenzie, were both involved in show business. Her father, Robert McKenzie, had his own acting group called the McKenzie Merry Makers. He directed and acted in plays and movies.

When Fay was just ten weeks old, she appeared in her first movie, Station Content (1918). She played a baby in the film. As a child, she acted in four more silent movies. These included A Knight of the West (1921) and The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln (1924). Her sister, Ida Mae McKenzie, and other relatives were also actors.

Schooling and Return to Acting

In the mid-1920s, Fay McKenzie took a break from acting. She wanted to focus on her education. She went to Beverly Hills High School.

She returned to movies in 1934. Her first film back was Student Tour. That same year, she made her first short Western movie, Sundown Trail.

Sound Films and Broadway

By 1938, Fay McKenzie started appearing mostly in Western films. Some of these included Ghost Town Riders (1938) and When the Daltons Rode (1940). She also had a small part in the 1939 movie Gunga Din. This film is considered very important and is kept safe in the United States Library of Congress. In 1940, McKenzie performed in a stage show called Meet the People. It started in Los Angeles and later moved to Broadway.

Working with Gene Autry

In 1941, Fay McKenzie met Herbert Yates, the head of Republic Pictures. After a screen test, she signed a contract to star opposite the famous cowboy singer Gene Autry. Their first movie together was Down Mexico Way (1941). It was a big success, and she received many letters from fans.

Fay McKenzie went on to star in four more movies with Gene Autry. She was his leading lady in films like Sierra Sue (1941) and Cowboy Serenade (1942). In each of these movies, she sang duets with Autry.

Theater and War Efforts

During World War II, Fay McKenzie left Republic Pictures. She wanted to work in theater and other projects. She performed in plays like A Midsummer Night's Dream. She also spent a lot of time supporting the war effort. She worked with the Hollywood Victory Committee.

McKenzie traveled widely to entertain soldiers. She performed alongside famous stars such as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Cary Grant. She also entertained the troops with her former co-star, Gene Autry.

Later Career and Final Film

After World War II, Fay McKenzie took a break from movies. She wanted to raise her two children. In the 1950s, she studied acting in New York. She also appeared on radio shows with Groucho Marx.

She later appeared in several television series. These included The Millionaire (1959) and Bonanza (1961). In the 1960s, McKenzie returned to films. She had roles in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) and The Party (1968). Her last major film role was in S.O.B. (1981). In 2018, she made a small appearance in the film "Kill A Better Mousetrap." This meant her acting career spanned an amazing 100 years!

Personal Life

Fay McKenzie was married two times. Her first marriage to actor Steve Cochran ended in 1948. Her second marriage was to screenwriter Tom Waldman. They were married from 1948 until his death in 1985. They had two children: Tom Waldman Jr. and Madora McKenzie. Fay McKenzie was a Christian Scientist. Her brother-in-law was the actor and comedian Billy Gilbert.

Death

Fay McKenzie passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 16, 2019. She was 101 years old.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Fay McKenzie para niños

• List of centenarians (actors, filmmakers and entertainers)