Lorna Thayer (born Lorna Patricia Casey; August 16, 1919 – June 4, 2005) was an American character actress, best known as Jack Nicholson's foil in the famous "chicken salad sandwich scene" in Five Easy Pieces.
Early years Born on August 16, 1919,"United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JGXL-RZ9 : 11 January 2021), Lorna Thayer, 04 Jun 2005; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing)."Lorna Thayer (1919-2005): gravestone image". Find a Grave. in Boston, Massachusetts, Thayer was the daughter of silent screen actress Louise Gibney and George Casey."Just Weds Honeymoon in Mexico". Long Beach Independent. July 10, 1956. p. 12. Retrieved October 7, 2024. "Ann Davis Casey exchanged wedding vows with Joseph Anthony Budzisz. [...] A teacher at Buffum Elementary School, the bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Casey of Hollywood. Her sister, Lorna Thayer, was her honor attendant and Patricia Thayer, a niece, was bridesmaid." Her father built sets for Universal Studios. She began taking dance classes by age 5, and she attended Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles.
Career Thayer's acting career began in 1946 with a production of Street Scene by the Players Ring. After that she performed in Berkeley Square at the Geary Theatre in San Francisco.
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.
On Broadway, Thayer portrayed Mrs. McCarthy in Comes a Day (1958) and Bel Air Bonnie in Never Live Over a Pretzel Factory (1964).
She is most likely to be remembered for 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. The scene has come to be known as the "chicken salad sandwich scene".
Thayer was cast in a historical role as Jessie Benton Frémont, loyal wife of John C. Frémont (Roy Engel), in the 1960 episode "The Gentle Sword" of the anthology series Death Valley Days. In the story, 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, in season 3, episode 16 "The Prophet" of Have Gun - Will Travel, Thayer was cast as Serafina, wife of Colonel Benjamin Nunez (Shepperd Studrick). She also appeared as Doris in the November 21, 1959, episode titled "The Golden Toad", written by Gene Roddenberry.Aired on H&I Network July 9, 2019 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 the Motion Picture and Television Fund Retirement Home in Woodland Hills, California, aged 85.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1952 Texas City Aunt Harriet Upton uncredited1952 Just Across the Street Girl uncredited1952 The Lusty Men Grace Burgess 1953 Jennifer Molly, Grocery Clerk 1955 Women's Prison Deputy Sheriff Green uncredited1955 The Beast with a Million Eyes Carol Kelley 1956 I've Lived Before Mrs. Fred Bolan uncredited1956 The Women of Pitcairn Island Moa'tua, weeping woman 1958 I Want to Live! Corona Guard uncredited1960 Freckles Alice Cooper 1963 Police Nurse 1966 Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round Passenger on Mexico Flight uncredited1968 The Shakiest Gun in the West Saloon Girl uncredited1970 Five Easy Pieces Waitress 1970 The Traveling Executioner Madam uncredited1971 The Andromeda Strain Woman uncredited1972 Glass Houses 1972 Cisco Pike Swimming Lady 1972 Skyjacked Weber's Mother 1974 Rhinoceros Restaurant Owner 1974 The Gravy Train TV Interviewer uncredited1974 Alice Goodbody Yvonne 1975 Smoke in the Wind Ma Mondier 1976 Revenge of the Cheerleaders Lilly Downs 1981 Buddy Buddy Lady 1986 Nothing in Common Auditioning Grandma 1991 Frankie and Johnny Flower Vendor
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