| Kay Medford | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 14, 1914 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 10, 1980 (aged 65) New York City, New York, U.S. |
Kay Medford (September 14, 1914 – April 10, 1980), was an American character actress.
She was born in New York City to first-generation Irish-American parents, both of whom had died by the time she was 15 years old. Originally known as Maggie O'Regin (or O'Regan), she later adopted the name Kay Medford professionally, and began her career after graduating from high school.
She was the original "Mama" in Bye Bye Birdie, starring opposite Dick Van Dyke on Broadway, garnering excellent reviews. She lost the film role to Maureen Stapleton. She appeared in the Warner Bros. rock and roll movie Jamboree (1957) in which she played the manager of singer Pete Porter, played by Paul Carr. Her rival and competitor in the movie is played by Bob Pastine, who is the manager of Honey Wynn (played by Freda Holloway).
Medford appeared on Broadway in Carousel, Paint Your Wagon and Funny Girl as the mother of Fanny Brice. For her performance as Mrs. Brice, she was nominated for a 1964 Tony Award for Featured Actress (Musical),[1] and when she repeated the role in the 1968 film adaptation, she received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.[2] From 1969-1970 she co-starred opposite John Forsythe as his sister, Harriet Endicott, in the CBS series To Rome With Love.
She died from cervical cancer in New York City in 1980, aged 65.
   | Photo - Kay Medford (1920 - 1980) - Find A Grave Memorial |
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