Raised by religious zealot parents, Liz Renay ran away from home to seek fame and fortune in 1940s Hollywood. After winning a Marilyn Monroe lookalike contest, she became a sought-after showgirl, a gig that earned her the attention (and affections) of legendary gangster Mickey Cohen.
Convicted of perjury after refusing to co-operate with the authorities in their investigation of the infamous mobster, Liz was sentenced to three years at the Terminal Island women's prison in San Pedro, California. However, being an eternal optimist, Liz never let adversity get the better of her.
Despite losing countless Hollywood roles due to her conviction, Liz did more during her three years in the clink than most people do in a lifetime of freedom--including writing her autobiography ('My Face for the World to See'), painting over 150 original works of art and originating 'The Terminal Island Follies'--an all-inmate chorus line.
She also ran the prison newspaper, a small theater group, and taught oil painting. In fact, Liz's time on the inside was so productive that when her sentence ended, she allegedly begged to stay 'just a few more days'--so she could finish a mural she had begun in the prison chapel.
The original Queen of Re-Invention (eat your heart out, Madonna), Liz Renay was much more than just another pretty face. A celebrated author, artist, actress, showgirl, stripper and raconteur, she appeared in countless films and was both a favorite actress and close personal friend of 'cult' directors John Waters and Ted V. Mikels, among others.
A beloved icon in her adopted hometown of Las Vegas, Ms. Renay passed away on Monday, January 22, 2007. She was 80 years old.
