Betsy Gay was born in Waterford, Connecticut. She started performing with her family at age 3. Her parents, Prof. Charles and Helen Gay had a music school and taught singing and gave lessons on piano, banjo, violin, steel guitar bass, accordion and guitar. ...show more

Betsy Gay was born in Waterford, Connecticut. She started performing with her family at age 3. Her parents, Prof. Charles and Helen Gay had a music school and taught singing and gave lessons on piano, banjo, violin, steel guitar bass, accordion and guitar.

Because of the family music school, Betsy and her sister and brother started doing shows at an early age and continued while they were growing up. The family moved around a bit in Betsy's early years. They lived in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Youngstown, Ohio. In September of 1935, the family moved to southern California.

Betsy indicated during our interview with her that it was to help her brother's asthma - the doctor recommended moving to Florida or California. The family moved to Hollywood when Betsy was six years old. Betsy got into movie making almost immediately. She was in the 'Our Gang Comedies' beginning with 'Arbor Day' in 1935. ...show less