Allyn Ann McLerie, the versatile actress who appeared on Broadway from the 1940s, made memorable film appearances, and capped off her career in TV, has died at 91. THR confirmed her death on May 21 in North Bend, Washington.
Allyn Ann McLerie & George Gaynes (Images via family photo)
Her passing was announced without fanfare by her daughter, Iya Falcone Brown, in a May 21 Facebook post:
Today my beautiful sweet Mom, Allyn Ann McLerie Gaynes, joined my Dad to continue their journey exploring the universe. She, as he, will be missed and always loved. Reunited with my brother, Matthew, we wish these marry wanderers well on their new adventures together.
Canadian-born McLerie — who was married to actor George Gaynes (1917-2016) for over 60 years — grew up in Brooklyn, and got her start on Broadway as a dancer in One Touch of Venus (1943) starring Mary Martin (1913-1990); in the original production of On the Town (1944); and in Miss Liberty (1949), a musical with lyrics by Irving Berlin (1888-1989). She also played Anita in the 1960 West Side Story revival.
With Doris Day (b. 1922) in Calamity Jane
One of the few suriving Warner Bros. contract players, she studied Method acting, and appeared in Calamity Jane (1953), Phantom of the Rue Morgue (1954), They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969), Jeremiah Johnson (1972), and The Way We Were (1973), among others.
The Jeremiah Johnson crazy lady
On TV, she made numerous guest appearances, including a role in the phenomenally popular miniseries The Thorn Birds (1983) and as Molly's mom on the sitcom The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1989-1991).
With Blair Brown (b. 1946) on an episode of 'Molly Dodd
Along with Gaynes, she was preceded in death by first husband Adolph Green (1914-2002), the legendary lyricist and playwright famous for his works with Betty Comden (1917-2006); and one grandson.
McLerie's survivors include her daughter; her granddaughter and her husband; and two great-granddaughters.
