Fay Wray Sep 15, 1907 - Aug 8, 2004
Dangled from atop the Empire State Building in the grip of King Kong, Fay Wray was famed for her role as Ann Darrow, the beauty who won the heart of the beast.
Born in Alberta in 1907, Fay Wray had a successful six-decade career as an actress, transitioning from the silent era to talkies, black and white to colour, the silver screen to television. Wray began appearing in short comedies at age 16, followed by a contract with Universal Studios where she starred in silent westerns, making almost one film a week. As an up-and-coming actress she was selected as a WAMPAS Baby Star in 1926, leading to other pivotal roles. Between 1933 to 1934 she became the busiest actress in Hollywood starring in over 20 films. Her roles varied from detective, to damsels-in-distress, to heiresses — comedic and dramatic — but none became as legendary as King Kong.
Wray’s successful career earned her a star on both the Hollywood and the Canadian Walk of Fame. She passed away on August 8, 2004, and two days later the Empire State Building turned off its lights for 15 minutes in her honour.
Image from public domain - Wikimedia Commons
