Fay Courteney (about 1878 – July 18, 1943) was an American actress on stage and in radio.

Fay Courteney
A white woman wearing a dark dress with a deep v neckline and fluttery short sleeves; on top of her dark hair, there is a spiky, shiny headpiece, possibly a tiara.
Fay Courteney, from a 1917 publication.
Born
Frances K. Courteney

about 1878
San Francisco
DiedJuly 18, 1943
New York City
Other namesFrances Gamble
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, vaudeville performer

Early life

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Frances K. Courteney was born in San Francisco,[1] the daughter of Herbert Courteney and A. H. Courteney. Her father was a building contractor.[2]

Career

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Courteney toured vaudeville in the Courteney Sisters, with her sister, and as a solo artist,[3] with her "deep and voluminous" "organ-like contralto" voice.[4] She was a fixture in stock companies in Cleveland, Columbus, Rochester, Detroit,[5] and Toronto,[1][6] and associated for many years with actor Vaughan Glaser.[7][8][9] In 1920, she played the Alcazar Theatre in San Francisco, co-starring in Bought and Paid For and The Matinee Hero[10] with Clay Clement,[11][12] and in Happiness.[13][14] Her Broadway credits[15] included roles in the comedies The Advertising of Kate (1922), She Couldn't Say No (1926), It Never Rains (1929-1930), and Off to Buffalo (1939). Later in her career, she was active in radio productions.[1][16]

Personal life

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Courteney, described as having "hypnotic eyes" and an "alluring manner", had "multitudes of suitors" as a young actress.[17] She married Theodore L. Gamble in 1901 in New Jersey;[18] they divorced in 1910.[19] She enjoyed driving an automobile,[9] and even raced her car on occasion.[20] She died in New York City in 1943, in her sixties, from a cerebral hemorrhage.[1][16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Miss Fay Courteney; Was Leading Woman in Stock for Many Years -- A Radio Artist". The New York Times. July 23, 1943. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "Has Been Star Fifteen Years". Democrat and Chronicle. August 22, 1920. p. 27. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Fay Courteney to Go on Tour as Star; Actress to Play Title Role in 'Salvation Nell'". Democrat and Chronicle. July 20, 1911. p. 14. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "The Orpheum". The Argonaut. 86: 90. February 7, 1920.
  5. ^ "Fay Courteney Has Double Regret at Leaving Detroit". Detroit Free Press. July 8, 1909. p. 4. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Glaser and his Company back at Temple Next Week". Democrat and Chronicle. May 2, 1918. p. 15. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Frith, C. Nina (September 15, 1917). "Fall Opening in Detroit, Mich". The New York Daily Mirror. 77: 29 – via Hathi Trust.
  8. ^ "Fay Courteney, Co-Star With Vaughan Glaser". The New York Dramatic Mirror. 77: 29. November 17, 1917 – via Hathi Trust.
  9. ^ a b "Fay Courteney's Vacation". The Buffalo Enquirer. September 14, 1910. p. 3. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Roads of Destiny at the Alcazar". Pacific Coast Musical Review. 37: 9. January 24, 1920.
  11. ^ "The Alcazar Theatre". The Argonaut. 86: 75. January 31, 1920.
  12. ^ "The Matinee Hero". The Argonaut. 86: 58. January 24, 1920.
  13. ^ "The Alcazar Theatre". The Argonaut. 86: 27. January 10, 1920.
  14. ^ T. W. B. (January 12, 1920). "Fay Courteney Brings Good Cheer Message to Alcazar". San Francisco Chronicle. p. 5. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Fay Courteney is to Succeed Miss Eldridge". Democrat and Chronicle. July 30, 1922. p. 58. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ a b "Fay Courteney's Death Stirs Memories". Detroit Free Press. July 25, 1943. p. 43. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ O'Brien, Bertha V. (June 17, 1908). "Fair Fay Courteney Sought by Multitudes of Suitors". Detroit Free Press. p. 3. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Fay Courteney, Mrs. Gamble; Wedded in '01, Asks Divorce". Detroit Free Press. December 31, 1909. p. 2. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Fay Courteney is Given Divorce in Quick Time". Buffalo Courier. February 10, 1910. p. 7. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Fay Courteney Scores an Easy Victory in her Auto Race with Vaughan Glaser". Detroit Free Press. June 7, 1908. p. 23. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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