Fay Holderness (née MacMurray; April 16, 1881 – May 13, 1963) was an American

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

performer and film actress.

Family

Fay Holderness was born Fay MacMurray in

Oconto, Wisconsin Oconto is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,609 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. It is part of the Green Bay, Wisconsin, Green Bay Green Bay metropolitan area, Metropol ...

, the daughter of Thomas James MacMurray and Mary E. MacMurray (née Barnes)."California, County Marriages, 1850-1952," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8NQ-ZGD: accessed December 19, 2014), Edmund Ayars Leeds and Fay Holderness, August 25, 1923; citing Los Angeles, California, United States, county courthouses, California; FHL microfilm 2,074,426. Her father was a prominent organist and her brother, Frederick MacMurray, was a respected violinist and a composer, whose son was actor and businessman

Fred MacMurray Frederick Martin MacMurray (August 30, 1908 – November 5, 1991) was an American actor. He appeared in more than one hundred films and a successful television series, in a career that spanned nearly a half-century. His career as a major film le ...

. The family left Wisconsin in the late 1880s, living in Ohio, Michigan, and later Illinois.

Career

Holderness performed in a vaudeville production in

Olean, New York Olean ( ) is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County and serves as its financial, business, transportation and entertainment center. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern ...

in 1920, a presentation of ''The Village Four''. Three actors along with Holderness appeared in this comedy and harmony singing skit. She performed in

silent movie ''Silent Movie'' is a 1976 American satirical comedy film co-written, directed by and starring Mel Brooks, released by 20th Century Fox in the summer of 1976. The ensemble cast includes Dom DeLuise, Marty Feldman, Bernadette Peters, and Sid Cae ...

productions as early as 1917. In 1919 Holderness was in the cast of ''

Hearts of the World ''Hearts of the World'' (also known as ''Love's Struggle'') is a 1918 American silent film, silent World War I propaganda film written, produced and directed by D. W. Griffith. In an effort to change the American public's neutral stance regardin ...

'', directed by

D.W. Griffith David Wark Griffith (January 22, 1875 – July 23, 1948) was an American film director. Considered one of the most influential figures in the history of the motion picture, he pioneered many aspects of film editing and expanded the art of the na ...

. The film was shot on location in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

over a period of eighteen months. Other actors in the movie are

Lillian Gish Lillian Diana Gish (October 14, 1893February 27, 1993) was an American actress, director, and screenwriter. Her film-acting career spanned 75 years, from 1912, in silent film shorts, to 1987. Gish was called the "First Lady of American Cinema", ...

Dorothy Gish Dorothy Elizabeth Gish (March 11, 1898June 4, 1968) was an American actress of the screen and stage, as well as a director and writer. Dorothy and her older sister Lillian Gish were major movie stars of the silent era. Dorothy also had great s ...

, Kate Bruce, and George Fawcett. Holderness was in the cast of ''

Dick Turpin Richard Turpin (bapt. 21 September 1705 – 7 April 1739) was an English highwayman whose exploits were romanticised following his execution in York for horse theft. Turpin may have followed his father's trade as a butcher ea ...

'' (1925). This tale of romance and adventure was set in old England. The film featured

Tom Mix Thomas Edwin Mix (born Thomas Hezikiah Mix; January 6, 1880 – October 12, 1940) was an American film actor and the star of many early Western films between 1909 and 1935. He appeared in 291 films, all but nine of which were silent films. He w ...

Philo McCullough Philo McCullough (June 16, 1893 – June 5, 1981) was an American actor. He appeared in more than 250 films between 1914 and 1969. He was born in San Bernardino, California, and died in Burbank, California. McCullough's film debut came in 1 ...

, and

Alan Hale, Sr. Alan Hale Sr. (born Rufus Edward Mackahan; February 10, 1892 – January 22, 1950) was an American actor and director. He is best remembered for his many character roles, in particular as a frequent sidekick of Errol Flynn, as well as f ...

She appeared in many short comedies, including several with

Laurel and Hardy Laurel and Hardy were a British-American Double act, comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood cinema, Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–19 ...

, playing Mrs. Laurel in ''

Their Purple Moment ''Their Purple Moment'' is a silent short subject directed by James Parrott and Fred Guiol (who was uncredited) starring comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on May 18, 1928. Hog Wild'' (1930). She also supported

W. C. Fields William Claude Dukenfield (January 29, 1880 – December 25, 1946), better known as W. C. Fields, was an American comedian, actor, juggler, and writer. Fields's comic persona was a misanthropic and hard-drinking egotist who remained a sympathe ...

in ''

The Barber Shop ''The Barber Shop'' (1933) is a short American pre-Code comedy film starring W.C. Fields, directed by Arthur Ripley, and produced by Mack Sennett. Cast List * W. C. Fields ... Cornelius O'Hare * Elise Cavanna ... Mrs. O'Hare * Harry Watson ...

'' (1933) and ''

The Bank Dick ''The Bank Dick'', released as ''The Bank Detective'' in the United Kingdom, is a 1940 American comedy film starring W. C. Fields. Set in Lompoc, California, Fields plays Egbert Sousé, a drunk who accidentally thwarts a bank robbery and ends up ...

'' (1940). Her career continued into the late 1930s and the era of sound film. Holderness' last screen credits are for ''Share The Wealth'' (1936) and ''Just Speeding'' (1936). Her uncredited parts take her career into the 1940s. Among these are parts in ''

The Pride of the Yankees ''The Pride of the Yankees'' is a 1942 American film produced by Samuel Goldwyn, directed by Sam Wood, and starring Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, and Walter Brennan. It is a tribute to the legendary New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig, who die ...

'' (1942) and ''

The Mummy's Ghost ''The Mummy's Ghost'' is a 1944 American horror film directed by Reginald Le Borg. It is the second of three sequels to that company's ''The Mummy's Hand'' of 1940. The film is the sequel to ''The Mummy's Tomb'' (1942). Lon Chaney, Jr. again take ...

'' (1944).

Personal life

In 1912, she married Francis C. Holderness in Detroit."Michigan, Marriages, 1868-1925," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N321-HL9 : accessed 19 December 2014), Francis C Holderness and Fay Macmurray, 03 Sep 1912; citing Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, v 5 p 360 rn 87672, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,342,699. She married Edmund Ayars Leeds (1892–1954) on August 25, 1923. Fay Holderness died in 1963 at the Pacific Convalarium in

Santa Monica, California Santa Monica (; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Santa Mónica'') is a city in Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on California's South Coast (California), South Coast. Santa Monica's 2020 United Sta ...

, age 82, from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles as Fay H. Leeds.

Partial filmography

* ''

'' (1918) - The Innkeeper * '' Bright and Early'' (1918, Short) - A Maid * '' Playmates'' (1918, Short) * '' Hello Trouble'' (1918, Short) - A foxy spinster * ''

The Secret Garden ''The Secret Garden'' is a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett first published in book form in 1911, after serialisation in ''The American Magazine'' (November 1910 – August 1911). Set in England, it is one of Burnett's most popular novels and ...

'' (1919) - Mrs. Medlock * ''

Maggie Pepper ''Maggie Pepper'' is a lost 1919 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Chester Withey and starring Ethel Clayton. This film is based on a hit 1911 play by Charles Klein which was a winning success for stage actress Rose Stahl at the Ha ...

'' (1919) - Mrs. Thatcher * ''

Men, Women, and Money ''Men, Women, and Money'' is a lost 1919 American drama silent film directed by George Melford and written by Beulah Marie Dix and Cosmo Hamilton. The film stars Ethel Clayton, James Neill, Jane Wolfe, Lew Cody, Sylvia Ashton, Irving Cummings, ...

'' (1919) - Mrs. Parkton * ''The Right to Happiness'' (1919) - Leah - the Nurse * ''

Blind Husbands ''Blind Husbands'' is a 1919 American drama film written and directed by Erich von Stroheim. The film is an adaptation of the story ''The Pinnacle'' by Stroheim. Plot A group of holiday-makers arrive at Cortina d'Ampezzo, an Alpine village in th ...

'' (1919) - The 'Vamp' Waitress * '' Distilled Love'' (1920, Short) * ''

The Flaming Disc ''The Flaming Disc'' is a 1920 American silent adventure film serial directed by Robert F. Hill. The first episode of the series, "Rails of Death", opened on November 21, 1920. A total of 18 film episodes were produced. ''The Flaming Disc'' is ...

'' (1920) - Stella Dean * '' The Last Man on Earth'' (1924) - Elmer's Mother * ''

'' (1925) - Barmaid (uncredited) * ''

Should Sailors Marry? ''Should Sailors Marry?'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film featuring Clyde cook and Oliver Hardy. Plot A wife waits for her brawling sailor ex-husband (Noah Young). His friends sneer at him for ever being married. She has come to get ba ...

'' (1925, Short) - Verbena Singlefoot * ''

One Wild Ride ''One Wild Ride'' is a 1925 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 45th ''Our Gang'' short subject released. Synopsis The gang has a taxi, consisting of an old Model T with no engine, pushed by a horse. When the ...

'' (1925, Short) * '' Baby Clothes'' (1926) * '' Up in Mabel's Room'' (1926) - Tiny (Mabel's maid) (uncredited) * '' Salvation Jane'' (1927) - Captain Carrie Brown * ''

Ten Years Old ''Ten Years Old'' is a 1927 American short silent comedy film directed by Anthony Mack. It was the 58th ''Our Gang'' short subject released. It was remade as ''Birthday Blues'' in 1932. Cast The Gang * Joe Cobb as Joe * Jackie Condon as Jacki ...

'' (1927) * ''

Should Men Walk Home? ''Should Men Walk Home?'' is a 1927 American short silent comedy film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Mabel Normand and featuring Oliver Hardy and Eugene Pallette. Cast * Mabel Normand as The Girl Bandit * Creighton Hale as The Gentlema ...

'' (1927) (uncredited) * ''

Call of the Cuckoo ''Call of the Cuckoo'' (1927) is a Hal Roach two reel silent film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film's principal star is comedian Max Davidson, though the film is just as well known for cameos from other Roach stars at the time. These cam ...

'' (1927, Short) - Party Guest (uncredited) * ''

Bear Shooters ''Bear Shooters'' is a 1930 '' Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 98th (tenth talking) '' Our Gang'' short that was released. Plot Spud wants to go camping and shoot many bears with Jackie, Chubby, and Farin ...

'' (1930, Short) - Spud's Mother (uncredited) * '' Hog Wild'' (1930, Short) - Mrs. Hardy (uncredited) * ''

'' (1933, Short) - Little Girl's Mother (uncredited) * '' Ann Vickers'' (1933) - Prison Matron (uncredited) * '' Whom the Gods Destroy'' (1934) - Balkan Passenger (uncredited) * '' Among the Missing'' (1934) - Police Matron (uncredited) * ''

Flirtation Flirting or coquetry is a Social behavior, social and Human sexual activity, sexual behavior involving spoken or written communication, as well as body language. It is either to suggest interest in a deeper relationship with the other person o ...

'' (1934) - Woman on a Window (uncredited) * ''

Ginger Ginger (''Zingiber officinale'') is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices ...

'' (1935) - Gossip (uncredited) * '' Music Is Magic'' (1935) - Bus Passenger (uncredited) * ''

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town ''Mr. Deeds Goes to Town'' is a 1936 American comedy-drama romance film directed by Frank Capra and starring Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur in her first featured role. Based on the 1935 short story "Opera Hat" by Clarence Budington Kelland, which ...

'' (1936) - Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Dangerous Holiday ''Dangerous Holiday'' is a 1937 American drama film written and directed by Nicholas T. Barrows. The film stars Ronald Sinclair, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, Hedda Hopper, Jack La Rue, Jed Prouty and Lynne Roberts. The film was released on June 7, 1 ...

'' (1937) - Old Maid (uncredited) * ''

Youth on Parole ''Youth on Parole'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Marian Marsh and Gordon Oliver. Plot summary "Bobbie" Blake ( Marian Marsh) and Phillip Henderson (Gordon Oliver) are complete strangers looking in a je ...

'' (1937) - Interviewer (uncredited) * ''

Let Us Live ''Let Us Live'' is a 1939 American crime film directed by John Brahm starring Maureen O'Sullivan, Henry Fonda and Ralph Bellamy. The script of the film was adapted from the 1936 Harper's Magazine story "Murder in Massachusetts" by Joseph F. ...

'' (1939) - Theatre Scrubwoman (uncredited) * ''

Zenobia Septimia Zenobia (Palmyrene Aramaic: , , vocalized as ; AD 240 – c. 274) was a third-century queen of the Palmyrene Empire in Syria. Many legends surround her ancestry; she was probably not a commoner and she married the ruler of the city, ...

'' (1939) - Townswoman (uncredited) * '' Torchy Blane.. Playing with Dynamite'' (1939) - Prison matron (uncredited) * ''

Spring Parade ''Spring Parade'' is a 1940 American musical comedy film directed by Henry Koster and starring Deanna Durbin. It is a remake of the 1934 film. Plot Based on a story by Ernst Marischka, the film is about a Hungarian woman who attends a Viennese ...

'' (1940) - Townswoman (uncredited) * ''

'' (1940) - Lady Passerby (uncredited) * ''

Honky Tonk A honky-tonk (also called honkatonk, honkey-tonk, or tonk) is both a bar that provides country music for the entertainment of its patrons and the style of music played in such establishments. It can also refer to the type of piano ( tack piano) ...

'' (1941) - Bricklayer (uncredited) * ''

'' (1942) - Spectator (uncredited) * ''

Hers to Hold ''Hers to Hold'' (aka ''Three Smart Girls Join Up'') is a 1943 American romantic musical comedy film and is the third film in the unofficial ''Three Smart Girls'' trilogy. In ''Hers to Hold'', Deanna Durbin reprises her role as Penny Craig, who ...

'' (1943) - Mrs. Kitnacker (uncredited) * ''

'' (1944) - Policewoman (uncredited) * '' The Greatest Show on Earth'' (1952) - Spectator (uncredited) * '' Here Come the Girls'' (1953) - Washwoman (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

* *
brief article on Fay Holderness as a Laurel & Hardy player

Sources

Appleton, Wisconsin Appleton ( mez, Ahkōnemeh) is a city in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. One of the Fox Cities, it is situated on the Fox River, southwest of Green Bay and north of Milwaukee. Appleton is the c ...

Post-Crescent, ''Dick Turpin'', Wednesday Evening, February 3, 1926, Page 7. *

Clearfield, Pennsylvania Clearfield is a borough and the county seat of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 5,962 people, making it the second most populous community in Clearfield County, behind DuBois. The borough ...

Progress, ''Hearts of the World'', February 6, 1919, Page 3. * Olean Evening Herald, ''Dorothy Phillips At Palace The Right To Happiness'', January 5, 1920, Page 4. {{DEFAULTSORT:Holderness, Fay 1881 births 1963 deaths American silent film actresses American film actresses American stage actresses People from Oconto, Wisconsin Vaudeville performers Actresses from Wisconsin 20th-century American actresses