Mildred Shay was an American actress known for her roles in films such as The Women, Balalaika, and The Great Gatsby. She was often referred to by her nickname, “Pocket Venus,” owing to her petite stature.
Personal and Family Life
Mildred Shay was born on September 26, 1911, in Syracuse, New York. She came from a wealthy family and was educated in a Swiss school for girls. Throughout her life, Mildred had three husbands: Winthrop Gardner, Thomas Francis Murphy, and Geoffrey Steele, with whom she had one child. Despite her glamorous life in Hollywood, she experienced personal tragedy when her older brother died in a car accident involving their family’s chauffeur.
Career
Mildred began her career by testing for MGM and quickly found success, starting with dubbing for Greta Garbo in Grand Hotel. She became well-known for her role in The Women (1939) and had a vibrant career that included both stage and film work. After taking time off for motherhood, she made a comeback with The Great Gatsby in 1974 and continued to work into her later years, being photographed with various Hollywood stars as recently as 2004.
Death and Legacy
Mildred Shay passed away on October 15, 2005, in Glendale, California, due to complications from a stroke. She left behind a legacy as a well-connected actress who charmed everyone in Hollywood. Her career, spanning over several decades, made her a beloved figure in the industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Brief Encounter | 1974-11-12 | (Uncredited) |
| Made for Each Other | 1939-02-10 | John Horace Mason’s Secretary (uncredited) |
| The Women | 1939-09-01 | Crystal’s French Maid Helen (uncredited) |
| Balalaika | 1939-12-15 | Jeanette Sibirsky |
| Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride | 1940-09-05 | Stewardess |
| In Old Missouri | 1940-04-17 | Mme. Chee-Chee |
| Candleshoe | 1977-12-16 | Mrs. McCress |
| The Philadelphia Story | 1940-12-05 | Main Line Society Woman (uncredited) |
| And One Was Beautiful | 1940-04-05 | Girlfriend |
| All Women Have Secrets | 1939-12-15 | Chloe |
| Bullseye! | 1990-11-02 | Jolene, Tourist |
| Roar of the Press | 1941-04-17 | Helen |
| Death Wish 3 | 1985-11-01 | Mrs. Marta Emil |
| A Bill of Divorcement | 1932-09-28 | Party Guest |
| Before Water Lilies | 1981-03-24 | Angie |
| The Great Gatsby | 1974-03-27 | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| Funny Money | 1982-01-08 | Mrs. Keller |
| Little Shop of Horrors | 1986-12-19 | Second Customer |
| Valentino | 1977-09-07 | Old Lady |
| Inspector Morse | 1987-01-06 | Janet Roscoe |