Fay McKenzie

Fay McKenzie

Deceased · Born: Feb 19, 1918 · Died: Apr 16, 2019

Personal Details

BornFeb 19, 1918 Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Biography

Eunice Fay McKenzie, a multifaceted American performer, left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, initially captivating audiences with her early appearances in silent films as a child, and later transitioning to sound films as a grown adult.

Throughout her illustrious career, McKenzie is perhaps most notable for her leading roles opposite the renowned Gene Autry in five horse opera features during the early 1940s, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the genre.

Moreover, she collaborated with the accomplished director Blake Edwards on five separate occasions, further showcasing her versatility and range as a performer.

Beyond her work in film, McKenzie also made significant contributions to the world of Broadway, radio, and television, boasting an impressive array of credits that spanned nearly a century.

In fact, her on-screen presence began as early as ten weeks old in 1918, a testament to her remarkable longevity in the entertainment industry.

At the time of her passing, McKenzie was still actively working on screen, having recently completed a project alongside her son Tom Waldman Jr. in the comedy Kill a Better Mousetrap, based on a play by Scott K. Ratner, which was filmed during the summer of 2018 and remained unreleased at the time of her death.

Additionally, McKenzie was briefly billed under the stage name Fay Shannon, a testament to her adaptability and willingness to take on new roles and personas throughout her career.

In a remarkable feat, Eunice Fay McKenzie holds the distinction of having the longest movie career ever, with an astonishing 100 years of contributions to the world of film.

Career

1968
The Party
The Party as Alice Clutterbuck
1961
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Breakfast at Tiffany's as Party Guest Laughing in Mirror (uncredited)
1946
Murder in the Music Hall
Murder in the Music Hall as Singer in Mom's Cafe
1944
1942
Home in Wyomin'
Home in Wyomin' as Clementine (Clem) Benson
Cowboy Serenade
Cowboy Serenade as Stephanie Lock
Remember Pearl Harbor
Remember Pearl Harbor as Marcia Porter
1941
Sierra Sue
Sierra Sue as Sue Larrabee
Down Mexico Way
Down Mexico Way as Maria Elena Alvarado
1940
Ma! He's Making Eyes at Me
Ma! He's Making Eyes at Me as Brooklyn Girl (uncredited)
It's a Date
It's a Date as Young Girl (uncredited)
Mad Youth
Mad Youth as Escort Girl
1939
What a Life
What a Life as Student in Lunchroom
It's a Wonderful World
It's a Wonderful World as Guest (uncredited)
Gunga Din
Gunga Din as Girl at Party (uncredited)
1938
Assassin of Youth
Assassin of Youth as Linda Clayton
1936
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Ride 'Em Cowboy as Stamp Buyer (uncredited)
1934
The Boss Cowboy
The Boss Cowboy as Sally Nolan
Ferocious Pal
Ferocious Pal as Girl at Dog Fight
1918
Station Content
Station Content as Baby in Arms (uncredited)