Kenneth MacKenna (born Leo Mielziner Jr.; August 19, 1899 â€" January
15, 1962) was an American actor and film director.MacKenna was born as
Leo Mielziner Jr. in Canterbury, New Hampshire, to portrait artist Leo
Mielziner (December 7, 1868 - August 11, 1935), the son of a prominent
Reform rabbi (Moses Mielziner) and Ella Lane McKenna Friend (March 18,
1873 â€" February 2, 1968). Although Kenneth changed his name from
Mielziner to MacKenna for stage purposes, it was taken from family
roots. Ella's mother’s maiden name was Margaret A. McKenna, and Ella
was also named McKenna. So it seemed natural for Leo, Jr., to take
MacKenna as his stage surname, changing the spelling slightly.In Mary
C. Henderson's book about his brother, Jo Mielziner, Mielziner: Master
of Modern Stage Design (2001), she states, "Kenneth MacKenna was the
classic example of the first born son. On reaching manhood, he felt
that it was his duty to take care of his entire family: mother, father
and sibling. Responsible, intelligent and clear-headed he was
constantly setting up strategies for his family as if he knew
instinctively what was bestâ€"and he was usually right." (p. 92).
Kenneth's devotion to his wife, Mary Philips, and to his brother, Jo,
as well as to Jo's adopted son, Michael Mielziner, continued until his
death and then beyond. His own professional success as a story
director with MGM allowed him to help support his brother's career,
give generously to others, and contribute to the theatre, even after
his own death. Mielziner was a five-time Tony Award winner.
15, 1962) was an American actor and film director.MacKenna was born as
Leo Mielziner Jr. in Canterbury, New Hampshire, to portrait artist Leo
Mielziner (December 7, 1868 - August 11, 1935), the son of a prominent
Reform rabbi (Moses Mielziner) and Ella Lane McKenna Friend (March 18,
1873 â€" February 2, 1968). Although Kenneth changed his name from
Mielziner to MacKenna for stage purposes, it was taken from family
roots. Ella's mother’s maiden name was Margaret A. McKenna, and Ella
was also named McKenna. So it seemed natural for Leo, Jr., to take
MacKenna as his stage surname, changing the spelling slightly.In Mary
C. Henderson's book about his brother, Jo Mielziner, Mielziner: Master
of Modern Stage Design (2001), she states, "Kenneth MacKenna was the
classic example of the first born son. On reaching manhood, he felt
that it was his duty to take care of his entire family: mother, father
and sibling. Responsible, intelligent and clear-headed he was
constantly setting up strategies for his family as if he knew
instinctively what was bestâ€"and he was usually right." (p. 92).
Kenneth's devotion to his wife, Mary Philips, and to his brother, Jo,
as well as to Jo's adopted son, Michael Mielziner, continued until his
death and then beyond. His own professional success as a story
director with MGM allowed him to help support his brother's career,
give generously to others, and contribute to the theatre, even after
his own death. Mielziner was a five-time Tony Award winner.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.