Kay Thompson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kay Thompson
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| Born |
Catherine Louise Fink
November 9, 1909 |
| Died | July 2, 1998 (aged 88) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Author, composer, musician, actress, singer |
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Works
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Eloise book series |
| Spouse(s) |
Jack Jenney
(m. 1937; div. 1939)William Spier
(m. 1942; div. 1947) |
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Kay Thompson, born Catherine Louise Fink (November 9, 1909 – July 2, 1998), was a talented American author, singer, and actress. She was also a vocal arranger, composer, musician, dancer, and choreographer. Thompson is most famous for creating the beloved Eloise children's books. She also played a memorable role in the movie Funny Face.
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Kay Thompson's Early Life
Thompson was born Catherine Louise Fink in St. Louis, Missouri in 1909. She was the second of four children. Her father, Leo George Fink, was a jeweler from Austria. Her mother, Harriet Adelaide "Hattie" Tetrick, was American.
Kay had three siblings: Blanche Margaret, George "Bud" Jr., and Marian Antoinette.
Kay Thompson's Radio Career
Thompson started her career in the 1930s as a singer. She also directed choirs for radio shows. Her first big chance came on the Bing Crosby-Woodbury Show. She then joined The Fred Waring-Ford Dealers Show.
Later, she helped start The Lucky Strike Hit Parade. There, she met trombonist Jack Jenney, whom she later married. Thompson and her choir also performed on The Chesterfield Radio Program.
In 1937, Thompson and her choir appeared in the movie Manhattan Merry-Go-Round. In 1939, she worked on Tune-Up Time. On this show, she met and worked with a young Judy Garland. They became close friends and worked together for many years.
Kay Thompson in Hollywood
In 1943, Thompson signed a special contract with MGM. This made her the studio's top vocal arranger and coach. She helped many stars with their singing, including Judy Garland, Lena Horne, and Frank Sinatra.
Thompson worked on many famous MGM musicals. These include Ziegfeld Follies (1946) and The Harvey Girls (1946). She also worked on Good News (1947) and The Pirate (1948).
As an actress, Thompson had one main movie role. She played fashion editor Maggie Prescott in Funny Face (1957). In this musical, she worked with her old colleagues from MGM. Critics praised her performance, especially her opening song "Think Pink!". She also sang duets with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn.
Thompson only acted in one more film, Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970). She reportedly did not like how slow movie production was.
Kay Thompson's Nightclub Act
After leaving MGM in 1947, Thompson created a nightclub act. It was called "Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers". The four Williams men were her backup singers and dancers. Their act debuted in Las Vegas in 1947 and was an instant hit.
They quickly became the highest-paid nightclub act in the world. Thompson wrote the songs for the act.
Kay Thompson and Eloise Books
Kay Thompson became most famous as the author of the Eloise children's books. The character of Eloise was based on Thompson's own childhood imaginary friend. Thompson even used a special voice for Eloise throughout her life.
The books tell the adventures of a lively six-year-old girl named Eloise. She lives at the famous Plaza Hotel in New York City. The books were illustrated by Hilary Knight.
There are five books in the series:
- Eloise (1955)
- Eloise in Paris (1957)
- Eloise at Christmastime (1958)
- Eloise in Moscow (1959)
- Eloise Takes a Bawth (published in 2002 after her death)
All the books were very popular. Thompson also wrote and performed a hit song called "Eloise" in 1956.
Kay Thompson's Recordings
Thompson did not record many songs as a singer. In 1935, she recorded several songs for Brunswick and Victor Records. These recordings show her sophisticated cabaret singing style. Later, she recorded for Capitol, Columbia, and Decca.
Her only full album of songs was released by MGM Records in 1954. In 1956, she recorded her hit song "Eloise". This song became a Top 40 hit, selling over 100,000 copies.
Thompson also helped the young singer Andy Williams with his solo career. She helped him get a regular spot on NBC-TV's The Tonight Show. She also wrote many songs for him, including the 1958 hit "Promise Me, Love". In 1963, she gave Williams her Christmas song "Holiday Season". He combined it with "Happy Holiday", and this medley became very popular.
Thompson also recorded a spoken-word album called Let's Talk About Russia. It described her adventures in Moscow. She also advised Patti Page's 1957 TV series, The Big Record.
Thompson stayed busy with nightclub shows and TV appearances. She also managed her successful "Eloise" books. She moved back to New York in 1969. After Judy Garland's death, Thompson appeared with her goddaughter Liza Minnelli in the movie Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970). In 1974, Thompson directed a fashion show in France. Liza Minnelli performed at this event.
Kay Thompson's Later Years and Death
Kay Thompson eventually moved into Liza Minnelli's apartment in New York City. She passed away on July 2, 1998, at the age of 88.
Kay Thompson's Personal Life
Thompson was married twice. Her first marriage was to trombonist Jack Jenney from 1937 to 1939. Her second marriage was to radio producer William Spier from 1942 to 1947. After her second marriage ended, Thompson moved to Rome and never remarried.
Kay Thompson's Legacy
Kay Thompson's work continues to be celebrated.
- The soundtrack to Funny Face has been re-released with extra songs. Many of her vocal arrangements for MGM films are also available. Her early recordings are on the CD "Kay Thompson: Queen of Swing Vocal & Her Rhythm Singers". A 3-CD set called "Think Pink! A Kay Thompson Party" covers more of her recording career.
- In 2003, Thompson was honored with an induction into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
- Liza Minnelli recreated Thompson's famous nightclub act for her 2009 Broadway show, Liza's at the Palace. Minnelli performed songs from Thompson's act, including "Clap Yo' Hands" and "Hello, Hello".
- A detailed list of all of Thompson's work in radio, TV, movies, stage, books, and music is available online. This website includes many extra details about her life and career.
- After Thompson's death, her sister Blanche Hurd managed the Eloise books. Later, the rights passed to Blanche's children.
Filmography
- The Kid from Brooklyn (1946)
- Funny Face (1957)
- Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970)
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See also
In Spanish: Kay Thompson para niños
