Lorna Thayer


Lorna Thayer was an American character actress.

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.
It was 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 for which she is most likely to be remembered. Fifty at the time, 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, in the 1960 episode, "The Gentle Sword" of the syndicated anthology series, Death Valley Days. In the story line, 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.
On January 2, 1960, season 3, episode 16 "The Prophet" of Have Gun - Will Travel, Thayer was cast as Serafina, wife of Colonel Benjamin Nunez. She also appeared as Doris in the November 21, 1959, episode titled "The Golden Toad," written by Gene Roddenberry.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.

Death

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

Filmography