Wanda McKay
Wanda McKay was an American actress and model.
Early years
McKay was born as Dorothy Quackenbush in Portland, Oregon, but her family later moved to Fort Worth in Texas. After moving to New York she became a model and her image was used to promote Chesterfield cigarettes.
In 1938, McKay represented Trans World Airlines, for which she worked as a hostess, in a beauty competition at the Birmingham Air Show. She won, being voted "Miss American Aviation".
Career
By 1939 McKay had moved into films after being given a contract by Paramount Pictures. Initially she made small uncredited appearances before going on to starring roles as a leading lady in many B Movies during the 1940s, working in particular at studios such as PRC and Monogram Pictures. Film work dried up for her in the 1950s, and she appeared on television and in a minor role in The Merry Widow. Her last film appearance was a small uncredited part in Ten Thousand Bedrooms. She also appeared in an episode of the TV show, The Lone Ranger in 1951 titled Trouble at Black Rock.
Personal life
In 1977 she married Hoagy Carmichael, a marriage that lasted until his death in 1981.
Death
On April 11, 1996, McKay died of cancer in Los Angeles. She was 80.
Partial filmography
$1000 a Touchdown - Babe Our Neighbors – The Carters - Usherette All Women Have Secrets - JessieThe Farmer's Daughter - Cashier Those Were the Days! - Minor Role The Way of All Flesh - Cigarette Girl The Great McGinty - Bit Role Mystery Sea Raider - Lois The Quarterback - Blonde Dancing on a Dime - LuluLife with Henry - Girl on Theatre Stage A Night at Earl Carroll's - Girl in Steve's Party Love Thy Neighbor - Showgirl Virginia - Girl The Mad Doctor - Girl at Charity Bazaar You're the One - GirlThe Lady Eve - Daughter on Ship Las Vegas Nights - Cigarette Girl The Pioneers - Suzanna AmesTwilight on the Trail - Lucy BrentNew York Town - Minor Role The Royal Mounted Patrol - Betty DuvalleRolling Down the Great Divide - RitaThe Lone Rider in Texas Justice - Kate StewartOne Thrilling Night - Millie JasonLaw and Order - Linda FremontBowery at Midnight - Judy MalvernCorregidor - Nurse Jane 'Hey-Dutch' Van DornenThe Black Raven - Lee WinfieldLet's Face It - Chorus Girl Danger! Women at Work - Doris BendixDeerslayer - Hetty HutterSmart Guy - Jean WickersWhat a Man! - Joan RankinVoodoo Man - BettyThe Monster Maker - PatriciaRaiders of Ghost City - Cathy HainesLeave It to the Irish - Nora O'BrienBelle of the Yukon - Cherie AtterburyThere Goes Kelly - Anne MasonHollywood and Vine - Martha ManningSensation Hunters - HelenKilroy Was Here - Connie HarcourtJiggs and Maggie in Society - Millicent PerkerStage Struck - Helen HowardJinx Money - VirginiaJungle Goddess - Greta VanderhornThe Golden Eye - Evelyn ManningThe Story of Life Because of Eve - Sally StephensA Woman of Distinction - Merle - Shop Girl Roaring City - Sylvia RandThe Merry Widow - Girl at Maxim's Ten Thousand Bedrooms - New York Operator