Fay Holden (born Dorothy Fay Hammerton, 26 September 1893 – 23 June 1973), was a British-born American-based actress.

She was known as Gaby Fay early in her career.

Years active 1935–1958

Spouse David Clyde (1914-1945; his death)

Biography

Holden was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. After leaving England in 1929 Holden and her husband moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for a time. They co-owned The Empress Theatre until 1933, and they created a theatre company, The British Guild Players, that specialized in comedies during the depression era. Eventually they left Vancouver and moved to Hollywood.

Holden appeared in 46 films between 1935 and 1958, but is best known for her recurring role as Emily Hardy, Mickey Rooney's mother in the MGMAndy Hardy film series.

Holden is also remembered for her performance as Hazel, the mother of Samson (Victor Mature), in Cecil B. DeMille's Samson and Delilah, in which she utters her character's most notable line: "He wants to marry a Philistine!"

She was married to David Clyde from 1914 until his death in 1945. She died in Los Angeles, California, aged 79, from cancer.

Partial filmography

• Polo Joe (1936)
• Exclusive (1937)
• Guns of the Pecos (1937)
• Bulldog Drummond Escapes (1937)
• Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)
• Out West with the Hardys (1938)
• Judge Hardy and Son (1939)
• Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever (1939)
• The Hardys Ride High (1939)
• Sergeant Madden (1939)
• Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1941)
• Bitter Sweet (1941)
• Blossoms in the Dust (1941)
• I'll Wait for You (1941)
• Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941)
• Washington Melodrama (1941)
• H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1942)
• Ziegfeld Girl (1941)
• Washington Melodrama (1941)
• Andy Hardy's Private Secretary (1941)
• Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942)
• The Courtship of Andy Hardy (1942)
• Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble (1944)
• Canyon Passage (1946)
• Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946)
• Whispering Smith (1948)
• Samson and Delilah (1949)
• The Big Hangover (1950) as Martha Belney
• Andy Hardy Comes Home (1958)