Frank Fay was one of the first modern stand-up comedians and a successful Broadway and film actor in the early 20th century. He influenced many famous comics, such as Jack Benny, and was married to the legendary actress Barbara Stanwyck. However, he also had a dark side: he was notorious for his bigotry, alcoholism, and abusive behavior. He died in 1961, at the age of 69, after suffering a stroke and living in obscurity for years. What was the cause of his death and what led to his downfall? This article will explore the tragic story of Frank Fay, the forgotten star who died alone.
Early Life and Career
Frank Fay was born Francis Anthony Donner in San Francisco, California, on November 17, 1891, to Irish Catholic parents. He took the professional name of Frank Fay after concluding that his birth name was not suitable for the stage. As a child, he appeared in Victor Herbert’s operetta Babes in Toyland.
Fay enjoyed considerable success as a variety artist starting around 1918, telling jokes and stories in a carefully planned “off the cuff” manner that was very original for the time. He was one of the most analyzed comedians, with his timing and delivery praised. He formed several partnerships, including with Lieutenant Gitz Rice and appearing as Dyer & Fay and Fay Fay & Co.
During the 1920s, Fay was vaudeville’s highest-paid headliner, earning $17,500 a week. He debuted on Broadway in 1918 and starred in several musicals and plays, such as The Matinee Idol, The Little Missus, and The Show of Shows. He also appeared in some silent films, such as The Clinging Vine and The Impostor.
Marriage to Barbara Stanwyck
In 1928, Fay married Barbara Stanwyck, a rising star who was 11 years younger than him. They met while performing in the musical Burlesque, in which Fay played a comedian and Stanwyck played a dancer. They had a lavish wedding at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City and moved to Hollywood, where Fay hoped to become a movie star.
However, Fay’s career in Hollywood did not take off as he expected. He was unable to adapt to the sound era and his style of comedy did not translate well to the screen. He appeared in a few talkies, such as God’s Gift to Women and The Sin of Madelon Claudet, but they were not well received by the critics or the audiences. He also developed a reputation for being difficult and arrogant on the set, clashing with directors and co-stars.
Meanwhile, Stanwyck’s career soared, as she became one of the most popular and versatile actresses of the 1930s. She starred in a string of hits, such as Ladies of Leisure, Stella Dallas, The Mad Miss Manton, and Union Pacific. She also earned her first Oscar nomination for Stella Dallas in 1937.
Fay became jealous and resentful of his wife’s success and fame. He tried to control her career and personal life, forbidding her to socialize with other actors or attend parties. He also physically and verbally abused her, often in public. He was especially cruel to her when she suffered a miscarriage in 1932. He blamed her for losing their child and accused her of being unfaithful.
Stanwyck endured Fay’s abuse for seven years, hoping that he would change. She also felt sorry for him, as he sank deeper into alcoholism and depression. She finally filed for divorce in 1935, citing cruelty as the grounds. The divorce was finalized in 1936, and Stanwyck was granted custody of their adopted son, Anthony Dion Fay.
Decline and Death
After the divorce, Fay’s career and life spiraled downward. He returned to Broadway, but his comeback attempts were unsuccessful. He played the role of Elwood P. Dowd in the 1944 Broadway play Harvey by the American playwright Mary Coyle Chase, but he was replaced by James Stewart after a few months. He also appeared in some low-budget films, such as The House Across the Bay and The Crooked Way, but they did not revive his popularity.
Fay became more isolated and bitter, alienating most of his friends and colleagues with his offensive and erratic behavior. He was known for his bigotry and anti-Semitism, and he supported the fascist regimes of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. He also became involved in several lawsuits and scandals, such as being sued by his former secretary for breach of contract and being arrested for drunk driving.
In 1950, he suffered a stroke from which he never recovered. He died on September 25, 1961, in Santa Monica, California, from pneumonia and liver failure. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles. He left behind a small fortune of $500,000, which he bequeathed to his son, Anthony, who later changed his name to Dion Anthony Fay.
Anthony Dion Fay was the only person who attended his father’s funeral. He had a troubled relationship with his father, who often neglected and abused him. He also had a difficult life, as he struggled with drug addiction and mental illness. He died in 2006, at the age of 70, from unknown causes.
Frank Fay’s legacy as a comedian and actor has been largely overshadowed by his personal flaws and controversies. He is remembered as a pioneer of stand-up comedy, but also as a tyrant and a failure. His life and marriage to Barbara Stanwyck are thought to be the inspiration for the 1937 film A Star Is Born, in which the previously unknown wife shoots to stardom while her husband’s career goes into sharp decline. However, unlike the film, Fay’s story did not have a happy ending.
