Fay Holden | |
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Publicity still from about 1940
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Born |
Dorothy Fay Hammerton 26 September 1893 Birmingham, Warwickshire, England |
Died | 23 June 1973 Los Angeles, California, US |
(aged 79)
Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1935–1958 |
Spouse(s) | David Clyde (1914-1945; his death) |
Fay Holden (26 September 1893 – 23 June 1973), was a British-born American-based actress. She was known as Gaby Fay early in her career.
Holden was born as Dorothy Fay Hammerton in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. After leaving England in 1929 Holden and her husband moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for a time. They co-owned The Empress Theatre until 1933, and they created a theatre company, The British Guild Players, that specialized in comedies during the depression era. Eventually they left Vancouver and moved to Hollywood.
Holden appeared in 46 films between 1935 and 1958, but is best known for her recurring role as Emily Hardy, Mickey Rooney's mother in the MGM Andy Hardy film series.
Holden is also remembered for her performance as Hazel, the mother of Samson (Victor Mature), in Cecil B. DeMille's Samson and Delilah, in which she utters her character's most notable line: "He wants to marry a Philistine!"
She was married to David Clyde from 1914 until his death in 1945. She died in Los Angeles, California, aged 79, from cancer.