A veteran scene stealer known for her delightful dry, poker-faced delivery, Kay Medford was born Maggie O'Regan in New York City in 1914, the daughter of James and Mary (Kelly) O'Regan, of Irish stock. Kay attended both public and Catholic schools growing up, her parents both dying while she was in her teens. She quickly gravitated toward humor ...
Was often cast as stereotypical Jewish mothers, something that always amused the devoutly Catholic Medford.
3
Was nominated for Broadway's 1964 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for "Funny Girl," a part she recreated in an Oscar-nominated performance in the film version of the same name, Funny Girl (1968).
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Barney Miller
1978-1980
TV Series
Lila Wakeman / Mrs. Mitzi Kamen / Irene Schuman
House Calls
1980
TV Series
Mrs. Micklewhite
Windows
1980
Ida Marx
Flying High
1979
TV Series
Mrs. Charles
More Than Friends
1978
TV Movie
Gertie
On Our Own
1977
TV Series
Mrs. Bonino
Fire Sale
1977
Ruth Fikus
Starsky and Hutch
1976
TV Series
Edna Zelinka
Kojak
1974
TV Series
Bernice M. Sandler
Medical Center
1972-1973
TV Series
Meg / Mattie
Love, American Style
1969-1973
TV Series
Mrs. Rosetti (segment "Love and the Heavy Set") / Bella (segment "Love and the Anniversary Crisis") / Mrs. Adams (segment "Love and Mother")
No Place to Run
1972
TV Movie
Landlady
The Partridge Family
1971
TV Series
Gloria Neugast
Men at Law
1971
TV Series
Grace Deland
Marcus Welby, M.D.
1971
TV Series
Mrs. Varni
But I Don't Want to Get Married!
1970
TV Movie
Hallie
To Rome with Love
1969-1970
TV Series
Aunt Harriet
Lola
1970
Mrs. Wardman, Scott's Mother
Angel in My Pocket
1969
Racine
That's Life
1968-1969
TV Series
Mrs. Quigley
Funny Girl
1968
Rose Brice
The Carol Burnett Show
1967
TV Series
Sketch Performer
The Busy Body
1967
Ma Norton
Vacation Playhouse
1966
TV Series
Mrs. Piper
A Fine Madness
1966
Mrs. Fish
Ensign Pulver
1964
Head Nurse
Brenner
1959-1964
TV Series
Barbara Reardon
Ben Casey
1963
TV Series
Jean Smith
Route 66
1963
TV Series
Woman
Two Tickets to Paris
1962
Aggie
Girl of the Night
1960
Rowena Claiborne
BUtterfield 8
1960
Happy
The Rat Race
1960
Mrs. 'Soda' Gallo, Landlady
Adventures in Paradise
1959
TV Series
Willie Foster
The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen
1959
TV Series
Decoy
1959
TV Series
Georgia
The Phil Silvers Show
1958
TV Series
Aunt Natalie
Kitty Foyle
1958
TV Series
Sophie Foyle
Jamboree!
1957
Grace Show
Studio One in Hollywood
1957
TV Series
A Face in the Crowd
1957
First Mrs. Rhodes
Singing in the Dark
1956
Luli
Goodyear Playhouse
1955
TV Series
The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
1954-1955
TV Series
Betty Winston / Louise
Star Tonight
1955
TV Series
Vinney
The United States Steel Hour
1955
TV Series
Helen
Suspense
1954
TV Series
The Web
1954
TV Series
Mr. Walkie Talkie
1952
Marge
Search for Tomorrow
1951
TV Series
Hester Walsh (1955)
La bisarca
1950
Anna Paperiska
Guilty Bystander
1950
Angel
The Undercover Man
1949
Gladys LaVerne
Tap Roots
1948
Caller (uncredited)
Adventure
1945
Red (uncredited)
The Picture of Dorian Gray
1945
Girl (uncredited)
Return from Nowhere
1944
Short
Waitress (uncredited)
Mrs. Parkington
1944
Minnie (uncredited)
An American Romance
1944
Yulka - Farmer's Wife (uncredited)
Meet the People
1944
Mrs. Smith (uncredited)
Rationing
1944
Information Girl (uncredited)
Broadway Rhythm
1944
Cashier at Arcade (uncredited)
Lost Angel
1943
Telephone Operator (uncredited)
Whistling in Brooklyn
1943
Phone Operator (voice, uncredited)
Swing Shift Maisie
1943
Ann Wilson
Pilot #5
1943
Davis' Secretary (uncredited)
Three Hearts for Julia
1943
Thelma (uncredited)
Slightly Dangerous
1943
Girl Getting Off Bus (uncredited)
Random Harvest
1942
Wife (uncredited)
Northwest Rangers
1942
Girl in Casino (uncredited)
The War Against Mrs. Hadley
1942
Flossie (uncredited)
Maisie Gets Her Man
1942
Woman in Audience (uncredited)
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Jack Klugman
1978
TV Special
Herself
The Paul Ryan Show
1977
TV Series
Herself
The Mike Douglas Show
1972-1977
TV Series
Herself - Actress
Married Is Better
1974
TV Special
The Dean Martin Show
1970-1973
TV Series
Herself
This Is Your Life
1973
TV Series
Herself
The Carol Burnett Show
1969-1970
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Gene Kelly's Wonderful World of Girls
1970
TV Movie
Herself
Allen Ludden's Gallery
1969
TV Series
Herself
The Hollywood Squares
1969
TV Series
Herself - Panelist
The 41st Annual Academy Awards
1969
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a Supporting Role