Lorna Thayer

Lorna Thayer (born Lorna Patricia Casey; August 16, 1919 – June 4, 2005) was an American character actress.

Lorna Thayer
Thayer in The Beast with a Million Eyes, 1955
Born
Lorna Patricia Casey

(1919-08-16)August 16, 1919
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedJune 4, 2005(2005-06-04) (aged 85)
Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
Resting placeValhalla Memorial Park Cemetery
Years active1952–1991
Spouses
Children2

Biography

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Thayer was the daughter of silent screen actress Louise Gibney. She appeared often in theatre and on television.

In 1955, she played in The Beast with a Million Eyes with Paul Birch. She played minor roles in The Lusty Men, Texas City and Frankie and Johnny.

She is most likely to be remembered for her role in the iconic 1970 film Five Easy Pieces as the waitress who refuses to allow Jack Nicholson's character to order a side of wheat toast.[1] The scene has come to be known as the "chicken salad sandwich scene".

Thayer was cast in an historical role as Jessie Benton Frémont, loyal wife of John C. Frémont (Roy Engel), in the 1960 episode "The Gentle Sword" of the anthology series Death Valley Days. In the story, the Frémonts are in California during the gold rush. The couple becomes involved in a mining claim dispute; Mrs. Frémont stares down organized claim jumpers.[2]

On January 2, 1960, in season 3, episode 16 "The Prophet" of Have Gun - Will Travel, Thayer was cast as Serafina, wife of Colonel Benjamin Nunez (Shepperd Studrick).[3] She also appeared as Doris in the November 21, 1959, episode titled "The Golden Toad", written by Gene Roddenberry.[4] Also, Season 5, Episode 36 "Pandora's Box", as Hanna

Personal life

Thayer was married to actor George N. Neise, and they had two daughters.[5]

Death

After battling Alzheimer's disease for five years, Thayer died at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Retirement Home in Woodland Hills, California, aged 85.[6]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1952Texas CityAunt Harriet Uptonuncredited
1952Just Across the StreetGirluncredited
1952The Lusty MenGrace Burgess
1953JenniferMolly, Grocery Clerk
1955Women's PrisonDeputy Sheriff Greenuncredited
1955The Beast with a Million EyesCarol Kelley
1956I've Lived BeforeMrs. Fred Bolanuncredited
1956The Women of Pitcairn IslandMoa'tua, weeping woman
1958I Want to Live!Corona Guarduncredited
1960FrecklesAlice Cooper
1963Police Nurse
1966Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-RoundPassenger on Mexico Flightuncredited
1968The Shakiest Gun in the WestSaloon Girluncredited
1970Five Easy PiecesWaitress
1970The Traveling ExecutionerMadamuncredited
1971The Andromeda StrainWomanuncredited
1972Glass Houses
1972Cisco PikeSwimming Lady
1972SkyjackedWeber's Mother
1974RhinocerosRestaurant Owner
1974The Gravy TrainTV Intervieweruncredited
1974Alice GoodbodyYvonne
1975Smoke in the WindMa Mondier
1976Revenge of the CheerleadersLilly Downs
1981Buddy BuddyLady
1986Nothing in CommonAuditioning Grandma
1991Frankie and JohnnyFlower Vendor

References
  1. Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons (3rd ed.). McFarland. ISBN 9781476625997. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  2. "The Gentle Sword on Death Valley Days". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  3. "The Prophet on Have Gun Will Travel". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  4. Aired on H&I Network July 9, 2019
  5. Aaker, Everett (2017). Television Western Players, 1960–1975: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland. p. 318. ISBN 9781476628561. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  6. McLellan, Dennis (17 June 2005). "Lorna Thayer, 85; Character Actress Played Memorable Waitress in 'Five Easy Pieces'". Los Angeles Times.


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