Jay McKenna

One of the multitudes of starry-eyed, young hopefuls who jump aboard a Greyhound headed for Hollywood, Jay McKenna (aka James McKenna) got further than most. The blonde, beach boy actor was discovered in a 1974 production of "Billy Budd" by casting director Gary Shaffer, and soon after began scoring parts on television. His favorite was Policewoman, "Merry Christmas, Waldo", playing a bank teller who gets held up by Santa Claus (Lloyd Nolan) and interrogated by the beautiful Angie Dickinson. Just like the struggling actor cliche, Jay waited tables and tended bar to supplement his acting income. Oddly enough, he began to realize that he was having a lot more fun at the restaurant than on the set. Despite a few more good roles (CHiPs, Vega$, Trapper John MD), Jay's true audience proved to be a large following of loyal patrons who, one wild private-party night, christened him "the world's greatest waiter" and presented him with a shiny replica of an Oscar holding a waiter's tray. Subsequently, with great delight and untold relief, Jay pursued a successful career in food and beverage distribution. What's his favorite memory of those crazy LA days? One has to be the warm, glowing smile of Angie Dickinson - as she arrested Santa Claus.