Kay Medford
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kay Medford (September 14, 1914 – April 10, 1980), was an Oscar-nominated American character actress.
Born Margaret O'Regan in New York City, the daughter of first-generation Irish parents, she was the original "Mama" in Bye Bye Birdie, starring opposite Dick van Dyke on Broadway, and garnering excellent reviews. She lost the film role to another Irish-American actress, Maureen Stapleton.
She also appeared on Broadway in Carousel, Paint Your Wagon and Funny Girl (as Fanny Brice's mother); which role she recreated in the film version and was nominated for both a Tony Award and an Academy Award for her performances on Broadway and on film. She did not appear in Funny Girl's sequel, Funny Lady.
She died from cervical cancer in New York City in 1980, aged 65.
