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Wanda McKay

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wanda McKay
Mckay inThe Black Raven(1943)
Born
Dorothy Quackenbush

(1915-06-22)June 22, 1915
DiedApril 11, 1996(1996-04-11)(aged 80)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
Years active1939–1957
Spouse
(m.1977; died 1981)

Wanda McKay(bornDorothy Quackenbush;June 22, 1915 – April 11, 1996) was an American actress and model.

Early years

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McKay was born asDorothy QuackenbushinPortland, Oregon,[note 1][1]but her family later moved toFort WorthinTexas.After moving toNew Yorkshe became a model and her image was used to promoteChesterfield cigarettes.[2]

In 1938, McKay representedTrans World Airlines,for which she worked as a hostess, in a beauty competition at the Birmingham Air Show.[1]She won, being voted "Miss American Aviation".[2]

Career

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By 1939 McKay had moved into films after being given a contract byParamount Pictures.Initially she made small uncredited appearances before going on to starring roles as a leading lady in manyB Moviesduring the 1940s, working in particular at studios such asPRCandMonogram Pictures.[2]: 135–137 Film worked dried up for her in the 1950s, and she appeared on television and in a minor role inThe Merry Widow(1952). Her last film appearance was a small uncredited part inTen Thousand Bedrooms(1957). She also appeared in an episode of the TV show, The Lone Ranger in 1951 entitled Trouble at Black Rock.

Personal life

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In 1977 she marriedHoagy Carmichael,a marriage that lasted until his death in 1981.

Death

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On April 11, 1996, McKay died of cancer in Los Angeles. She was 80.[1]

Partial filmography

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Notes

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  1. ^McKay's obituary in the Los Angeles Times says that she was "born Dorothy McKay...".

References

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  1. ^abc"Wanda McKay; Film, TV Actress".Los Angeles Times.April 20, 1996.Archivedfrom the original on September 2, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 2,2017.
  2. ^abcRaw, Laurence (2012).Character Actors in Horror and Science Fiction Films, 1930–1960.McFarland. pp. 134–135.ISBN9780786490493.RetrievedSeptember 1,2017.

Bibliography

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  • Raw, Laurance.Character Actors in Horror and Science Fiction Films, 1930–1960.McFarland, 2012.
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