By her 18th birthday Fay DeWitt had done three Broadway shows –
"Pardon Our French," "Alive And Kicking," and "Flahooley!"
She went on to tour with her own music and comedy act at the hottest clubs on two continents - legendary night spots like Ciro's, The Mocambo, The Versilles, The Bon Soir, The Hotel Pierre, The Blue Angel, Mr. Kelly’s in Chicago, and the Colony in London.
Her act even played The Palace!
During her travels, she took time out to record pop music and demo recordings for composers like Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, both in New York and Nashville. Her rendition of “I’m Walking Behind You” earned her a place in the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame.
Her musical comedy career continued with Ben Bagley’s “Shoestring ’57. She starred in David Merrick’s Broadway revue, “Vintage ’60,” in the City Center production of “Oklahoma,” and the off-Broadway revival of “The Boys From Syracuse.” She guested on TV with Jack Paar, Steve Allen, George Jessel, and for a time was a co-host with Dave Garroway.
Ms. DeWitt worked in Las Vegas at the Desert Inn, El Rancho, the Thunderbird, the Aladdin and other Strip hotels.
Brought to L.A. for a comedy pilot “The Nut House!!” she stayed to further pursue her career in film and television. Guest appearance followed onThe Jack Benny Show, The Don Knotts Show, The Gypsy Rose Lee Show and iconic sit-coms like “Car 54 Where Are You,” “That Girl,” “All In The Family,” “The Jeffersons” “McHale’s Navy,” “Gomer Pyle,” “Mork And Mindy,” and “Three’s Company.” For two years, she was the co-host of a local KNX-TV series, “Panorama Pacific.”
In film, Ms Dewitt appeared in “The Patsy” (with Jerry Lewis), “I’ll Take Sweden” (with Bob Hope) in "The Reluctant Astronaut," "The Shakiest Gun In The West," and "How To Frame a Figg" (all with Don Knotts) and an unusual serious turn in “Harper Valley P.T.A.
She was a regular (Mrs. Van Huego) on the animated series “Slimer, And The Real Ghostbusters,” and did hundreds of commercials and voiceover roles. (Among them, the narration on the academy award winning documentary, “Journey Into Life,” and “Mrs. Hobday” in the 25th anniversary restoration of “Bedknobs And Broomsticks” - a role she won over many native British actresses!)
She returned to New York, to create the starring role of Kay Goodman in the musical, “Nite Club Confidential;” then starred in the Los Angeles version as well.
Fay DeWitt continues an active performing career, including guest roles on “Monk,” “House,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Office.” Last year her commercial turn as “Old Residue” for Swiffer, received great attention and praise. Among her recent voice over roles was the video game “Red Dead Redemption.”
(Some of) THE MANY FACES OF FAY DeWITT
