Thomas Thaddeus Carney (January 29, 1940 – August 30, 2022) was an English-American mixologist. He was perhaps best known for serving as the bartender at Elaine Kaufman's bar and restaurant Elaine's.

Biography

Carney was born in Liverpool, the son of Agnes Campbell and Thomas a rail worker. At the age of two, his father died of the infection tuberculosis. At the age of fourteen, he had worked on a

galley A galley is a type of ship that is propelled mainly by oars. The galley is characterized by its long, slender hull, shallow draft, and low freeboard (clearance between sea and gunwale). Virtually all types of galleys had sails that could be used ...

of the

Cunard Line Cunard () is a British shipping and cruise line based at Carnival House at Southampton, England, operated by Carnival UK and owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. Since 2011, Cunard and its three ships have been registered in Hamilton, Berm ...

, which was based at the Carnival House. Carney rode along in a ship of Bermuda for which he had emigrated to Montreal, then later emigrated to New York. After arriving, he was hired to work as a waiter at numerous restaurants. Carney first visited Elaine Kaufman's bar and restaurant Elaine's in 1978, where he had his first drink. There was also a type of candy bar that was named after Carney, in which it was established by Reggie Jackson. He was hired to work as a bartender where he had served drinks for customers and also notable people such as film director, writer, actor and comedian Woody Allen, actor

Al Pacino Alfredo James Pacino (; ; born April 25, 1940) is an American actor. Considered one of the most influential actors of the 20th century, he has received numerous accolades: including an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime Emmy ...

, singer, songwriter, actor and film producer Mick Jagger, actor Michael Caine and comedian and actor Don Rickles, among others including novelist, journalist, essayist, playwright, activist, filmmaker and actor

Norman Mailer Nachem Malech Mailer (January 31, 1923 – November 10, 2007), known by his pen name Norman Kingsley Mailer, was an American novelist, journalist, essayist, playwright, activist, filmmaker and actor. In a career spanning over six decades, Mailer ...

. He also had

Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular ...

as a customer, in which Sinatra was welcomed by Carney. In 2007, Carney retired to work as a bartender at Elaine's, in which there was a celebration for him for his retirement. After retiring, he played as a golfer for which he had established at least two restaurants in Westwood, New Jersey and Sparkill, New York. Carney had moved to Florida. He died in August 2022 of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at his home in Palm City, Florida in his sleep, at the age of 82.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carney, Thomas 1940 births 2022 deaths People from Liverpool Deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease English emigrants to Canada English emigrants to the United States American bartenders American male golfers 20th-century English people 21st-century English people 20th-century American people 21st-century American people