Mona Ray (January 17, 1905 – July 3, 1986)Social Security Death Index and California Death Index under Mona Cummings Pestana was an American stage and screen comedian / actress from the late 1920s to the early 1940s. Her most famous role was an appearance in

black face Blackface is a form of theatrical makeup used predominantly by non-Black people, Black people to portray a caricature of a Black person. In the United States, the practice became common during the 19th century and contributed to the spread of ...

as the mischievous slave Topsy in the 1927 silent film ''

Uncle Tom's Cabin ''Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly'' is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in two volumes in 1852, the novel had a profound effect on attitudes toward African Americans and slavery in the U ...

''. During the 1930s, she starred in a number of musical/comedy films; she also appeared as Mammy Yokum in the 1940 version of ''

Li'l Abner ''Li'l Abner'' is a satirical American comic strip that appeared in many newspapers in the United States, Canada and Europe. It featured a fictional clan of hillbilly, hillbillies in the impoverished mountain village of Dogpatch, USA. Written a ...

''. She last appeared on the Broadway stage in 1942. Ray was born Mona Kelly in New York according to the California Death Index, though some references refer to her birthplace as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She married scene writer and dialog director Hugh J. Cummings in the late 1920s. In May 1945, Cummings was awarded a legal separation from Ray on charges of cruelty and adultery. He alleged that she had spent an evening with her brother-in-law, Josef Montiague (husband of her sister, actress Judy King) in only a "tightly clad sweater". Differences must have been resolved, however, as Ray remained with Cummings until his death of a heart attack in April, 1953 at the age of 69. Ray married a second time to Raymond A. Pestana, and continued her life as a housewife along with being involved in various organizations including the Film Welfare League, Inc. Ray died in Nevada on July 3, 1986. Her second husband, Raymond, followed her in death in October 1987.

Partial filmography

*1940 ''

'' as Mammy Yokum *1930 '' Pardon My Gun'' as Peggy Martin *1930 '' Half-Pint Polly'' as Half-Pint Polly *1927 ''

'' as Topsy

References

External links

* * 1905 births 1986 deaths American silent film actresses American stage actresses 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American singers {{US-theat-actor-1900s-stub