Fay Wray
Biography
Fay Wray was a Canadian-American actress known for her long acting career. Born on September 15, 1907, in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, she gained media attention as one of the "WAMPAS Baby Stars". Wray was signed to Paramount Pictures as a teenager and later made films for various companies. She starred in her first horror film roles and is considered to have attained international stardom in these roles. Wray appeared in over 90 motion pictures, including silent films, and acted opposite notable male stars. Her most notable film is the 1933 film King Kong, in which she played the role of Ann Darrow.
Career overview
Fay Wray was a Canadian-American actress who began her acting career in minor film roles. She gained media attention after being selected as one of the "WAMPAS Baby Stars", which led to her being signed to Paramount Pictures as a teenager. Wray made more than a dozen films while under contract with Paramount.
After leaving Paramount, Wray signed deals with various film companies, including RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. She was cast in her first horror film roles, which would become a significant part of her career. Wray's acting career spanned 57 years, during which she appeared in more than 90 motion pictures. Her filmography includes silent films, and she acted opposite some of Hollywood's most notable male stars.
Wray is perhaps best known for her starring role as Ann Darrow in the 1933 film King Kong. This role has contributed to her being considered the first "scream queen". Throughout her long and distinguished career, Wray established herself as a talented and versatile actress, appearing in a wide range of films and genres.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
142 titles- King Kong: Monster and Myth (2024) as Self - Actress (archive footage)
- Return to Jurassic Park (2011) as Self (archive footage)
- RKO Production 601: The Making of “Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World” (2008) as Self (archive footage)
- Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- The Lost Spider Pit Sequence (2005) as Ann Darrow (archive footage)
- Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) as Self
- Universal Horror (1998) as Self - Interviewee
- Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's (1998) as Self
- Frank Capra's American Dream (1997) as Self
- Halloween Monster Bash (1991) as Rene (archive footage)
- Hollywood Uncensored (1987) as Self (archive footage)
- The RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood (1987) as Self
- Gideon's Trumpet (1980) as Edna Curtis
- The Horror Show (1979) as (archive footage)
- Murder by Death (1976) as Door Bell (archive sound) (uncredited)
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) as Self (archive footage)
- Kinkón (1971) as Ann Darrow
- Hollywood Blue (1970) as (archive footage)
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Mrs. White
- The Eleventh Hour (1962)
- The Islanders (1960) as Mrs. Staunton
- Hawaiian Eye (1959)
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958) as Clara Moore
- Dragstrip Riot (1958) as Norma Martin
- Summer Love (1958) as Beth Daley
- Perry Mason (1957) as Ethel Harrison
- Perry Mason (1957) as Lorna Thomas
- Perry Mason (1957) as Mignon Germaine
- Wagon Train (1957) as Mrs. Edwards
- Tammy and the Bachelor (1957) as Mrs. Brent
- The Last Stop (1956) as Leah
- Crime of Passion (1956) as Alice Pope
- Rock, Pretty Baby (1956) as Beth Daley
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Mrs. Renshaw
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Mrs. Nelson
- The 20th Century Fox Hour (1955) as Agnes Marsh
- Screen Director's Playhouse (1955) as Mary Parker
- The Cobweb (1955) as Edna Devanal
- Queen Bee (1955) as Sue McKinnon
- Hell on Frisco Bay (1955) as Kay Stanley
- Studio 57 (1954) as Mary Collins
- The Pride of the Family (1953) as Catherine Morrison
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Mrs. Turner
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Mrs. Bassett
- Small Town Girl (1953) as Mrs. Gordon Kimbell
- Treasure of the Golden Condor (1953) as Annette, Marquise de St. Malo
- This Is Your Life (1952) as Self
- Cavalcade of America (1952)
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Edna Curtis
- Mighty Joe Young (1949) as Woman's Scream (uncredited)
- Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
- This Is the Life (1944) Theatre Play
- Not a Ladies' Man (1942) as Hester Hunter
- Adam Had Four Sons (1941) as Molly Stoddard
- Melody for Three (1941) as Mary Stanley
- Wildcat Bus (1940) as Ted Dawson
- Navy Secrets (1939) as Carol Mathews, alias Carol Stevens
- Smashing the Spy Ring (1938) as Eleanor Dunlap
- The Jury's Secret (1938) as Linda Ware
- It Happened in Hollywood (1937) as Gloria Gay
- Murder in Greenwich Village (1937) as Kay Cabot aka Lucky
- They Met in a Taxi (1936) as Mary Trenton
- When Knights Were Bold (1936) as Lady Rowena
- Roaming Lady (1936) as Joyce Reid
- The Clairvoyant (1935) as Rene
- Bulldog Jack (1935) as Ann Manders
- Come Out of the Pantry (1935) as Hilda Beech Howard
- White Lies (1935) as Joan Mitchell
- Cheating Cheaters (1934) as Nan Brockton
- The Affairs of Cellini (1934) as Angela
- The Richest Girl in the World (1934) as Sylvia Lockwood
- Viva Villa! (1934) as Teresa
- Once to Every Woman (1934) as Fanshawe
- Black Moon (1934) as Gail Hamilton
- Mills of the Gods (1934) as Jean Hastings
- The Countess of Monte Cristo (1934) as Janet Kruegar
- Madame Spy (1934) as Marie Franck
- Woman in the Dark (1934) as Louise Loring
- King Kong (1933) as Ann Darrow
- Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933) as Charlotte Duncan
- The Son of Kong (1933) as Screaming voice (uncredited)
- Ann Carver's Profession (1933) as Ann
- The Vampire Bat (1933) as Ruth Bertin
- The Bowery (1933) as Lucy Calhoun
- One Sunday Afternoon (1933) as Virginia Brush
- Hollywood on Parade No. B-5 (1933) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Big Brain (1933) as Cynthia Glennon
- Shanghai Madness (1933) as Wildeth Christie
- Master of Men (1933) as Kay Walling
- The Woman I Stole (1933) as Vida Carew
- Below the Sea (1933) as Diana
- The Most Dangerous Game (1932) as Eve Trowbridge
- Stowaway (1932) as Mary Foster
- Doctor X (1932) as Joanne Xavier
- Dirigible (1931) as Helen Pierce
- The Stolen Jools (1931) as Fay Wray
- The Lawyer's Secret (1931) as Kay Roberts
- The Unholy Garden (1931) as Camille de Jonghe
- The Finger Points (1931) as Marcia Collins
- Three Rogues (1931) as Lee Carleton
- The Conquering Horde (1931) as Taisie Lockhart
- Paramount on Parade (1930) as Sweetheart
- The Sea God (1930) as Daisy
- The Texan (1930) as Consuelo
- Captain Thunder (1930) as Ynez
- The Border Legion (1930) as Joan Randall
- Behind the Make-Up (1930) as Marie Gardoni
- Thunderbolt (1929) as Ritzy
- Pointed Heels (1929) as Lora Nixon
- The Four Feathers (1929) as Ethne Eustace
- The Honeymoon (1929) as Mitzi
- The Street of Sin (1928) as Elizabeth
- The First Kiss (1928) as Anna Lee
- The Wedding March (1928) as Mitzi / Mitzerl Schrammell
- The Legion of the Condemned (1928) as Christine Charteris
- Loco Luck (1927) as Molly Vernon
- A One Man Game (1927) as Roberta
- Spurs and Saddles (1927) as Mildred Orth
- The Saddle Tramp (1926)
- Four Square Steve (1926) as Milly
- The Show Cowpuncher (1926)
- The Man in the Saddle (1926) as Pauline Stewart
- Don Key (Son of Burro) (1926)
- The Wild Horse Stampede (1926) as Jessie Hayden
- Lazy Lightning (1926) as Lila Rogers
- Don't Shoot (1926) as Nancy Burton
- One Wild Time (1926)
- Unfriendly Enemies (1925) as The Girl
- Sure-Mike! (1925) as Salesgirl at Department Store
- Thundering Landlords (1925) as The Wife
- Isn't Life Terrible? (1925) as Potential Pen-Buyer (uncredited)
- In the Grease (1925) as School Girl
- Madame Sans Jane (1925) as The Girl
- What Price Goofy? (1925) as Concerned Girl with Perfume (uncredited)
- A Lover's Oath (1925)
- No Father to Guide Him (1925) as Beach House Cashier (uncredited)
- The Coast Patrol (1925) as Beth Slocum
- Chasing the Chaser (1925) as Nursemaid
- Your Own Back Yard (1925) as Woman in Quarrelsome Couple
- Moonlight and Noses (1925) as Miss Sniff, the Professor's Daughter
- Sweet Daddy (1924) as Lady in Car
- Just a Good Guy (1924) as Girl Entering Taxi
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Fay Wray best known for?
Fay Wray is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003), Hollywood Uncensored (1987), Gideon's Trumpet (1980), Murder by Death (1976).
When and where was Fay Wray born?
Fay Wray was born on September 15, 1907 in Cardston, Alberta, Canada. They passed away on August 8, 2004.
How many credits does Fay Wray have?
Fay Wray has accumulated over 142 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1924 to 2024.
What is Fay Wray's background in cinema and television?
Fay Wray was a Canadian-American actress known for her long acting career. Born on September 15, 1907, in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, she gained media attention as one of the "WAMPAS Baby Stars". Wray was signed to Paramount Pictures as a teenager and later made films for various companies. She starred in her first horr...
Fay Wray by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Edna Curtis — aged about 43
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Mrs. Renshaw — aged about 47
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Mrs. Nelson — aged about 47
- Kraft Television Theatre (1947) — aged about 39
- Perry Mason (1957) as Ethel Harrison — aged about 49
- Perry Mason (1957) as Lorna Thomas — aged about 49
Full filmography (142) Born on September 15 In memoriam 2004
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