Lorna Thayer
This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (November 2021) |
Lorna Thayer (born Lorna Patricia Casey; August 16, 1919 – June 4, 2005) was an American character actress.
Lorna Thayer | |
|---|---|
Thayer in The Beast with a Million Eyes, 1955 | |
| Born | Lorna Patricia Casey August 16, 1919 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | June 4, 2005 (aged 85) |
| Resting place | Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Years active | 1952–1991 |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 2 |
Biography
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Thayer was the daughter of silent screen actress Louise Gibney. She appeared often in theatre and on television.
In 1955, she played in The Beast with a Million Eyes with Paul Birch. She played minor roles in The Lusty Men, Texas City and Frankie and Johnny.
She is most likely to be remembered for her role in the iconic 1970 film Five Easy Pieces as the waitress who refuses to allow Jack Nicholson's character to order a side of wheat toast.[1] The scene has come to be known as the "chicken salad sandwich scene".
Thayer was cast in an historical role as Jessie Benton Frémont, loyal wife of John C. Frémont (Roy Engel), in the 1960 episode "The Gentle Sword" of the anthology series Death Valley Days. In the story, the Frémonts are in California during the gold rush. The couple becomes involved in a mining claim dispute; Mrs. Frémont stares down organized claim jumpers.[2]
On January 2, 1960, in season 3, episode 16 "The Prophet" of Have Gun - Will Travel, Thayer was cast as Serafina, wife of Colonel Benjamin Nunez (Shepperd Studrick).[3] She also appeared as Doris in the November 21, 1959, episode titled "The Golden Toad", written by Gene Roddenberry.[4] Also, Season 5, Episode 36 "Pandora's Box", as Hanna
Personal life
Thayer was married to actor George N. Neise, and they had two daughters.[5]
Death
After battling Alzheimer's disease for five years, Thayer died at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Retirement Home in Woodland Hills, California, aged 85.[6]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Texas City | Aunt Harriet Upton | Uncredited |
| 1952 | Just Across the Street | Girl | Uncredited |
| 1952 | The Lusty Men | Grace Burgess | |
| 1953 | Jennifer | Molly, Grocery Clerk | |
| 1955 | Women's Prison | Deputy Sheriff Green | Uncredited |
| 1955 | The Beast with a Million Eyes | Carol Kelley | |
| 1956 | I've Lived Before | Mrs. Fred Bolan | Uncredited |
| 1956 | The Women of Pitcairn Island | Moa'tua, weeping woman | |
| 1958 | I Want to Live! | Corona Guard | Uncredited |
| 1960 | Freckles | Alice Cooper | |
| 1963 | Police Nurse | ||
| 1966 | Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round | Passenger on Mexico Flight | Uncredited |
| 1968 | The Shakiest Gun in the West | Saloon Girl | Uncredited |
| 1970 | Five Easy Pieces | Waitress | |
| 1970 | The Traveling Executioner | Madam | Uncredited |
| 1971 | The Andromeda Strain | Woman | Uncredited |
| 1972 | Glass Houses | ||
| 1972 | Cisco Pike | Swimming Lady | |
| 1972 | Skyjacked | Weber's Mother | |
| 1974 | Rhinoceros | Restaurant Owner | |
| 1974 | The Gravy Train | T.V. Interviewer | Uncredited |
| 1974 | Alice Goodbody | Yvonne | |
| 1975 | Smoke in the Wind | Ma Mondier | |
| 1976 | Revenge of the Cheerleaders | Lilly Downs | |
| 1981 | Buddy Buddy | Lady | |
| 1986 | Nothing in Common | Auditioning Grandma | |
| 1991 | Frankie and Johnny | Flower Vendor | (final film role) |
References
- ^ Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons (3rd ed.). McFarland. ISBN 9781476625997. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ "The Gentle Sword on Death Valley Days". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
- ^ "The Prophet on Have Gun Will Travel". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
- ^ Aired on H&I Network July 9, 2019
- ^ Aaker, Everett (2017). Television Western Players, 1960–1975: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland. p. 318. ISBN 9781476628561. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ McLellan, Dennis (17 June 2005). "Lorna Thayer, 85; Character Actress Played Memorable Waitress in 'Five Easy Pieces'". Los Angeles Times.
External links
- Lorna Thayer at IMDb
- Lorna Thayer at Find a Grave