Paula Wayne

Paula Wayne, civil rights pioneer, Broadway star and Emmy award-winning actress, passed away quietly in her South Florida home Friday evening surrounded by family and friends. Ms. Wayne grew up in Mountain View, Oklahoma, where she dazzled everyone with her perfect pitch and multiple octave range. The town, led by a local banker, Ben Stinson, and his sisters, collectively sent Ms Wayne to Oklahoma College for Women to study music. However, Ms Wayne was plucked from Oklahoma by Rose Bampton and Wilfrid Pelletier of the Metropolitan Opera so she could train at Julliard in New York, and become part of the Met permanent company.

Once in New York, Ms. Wayne pursued a career in the legitimate theater. Ms. Wayne is best known for her starring role opposite Sammy Davis, Jr. in the hit musical “Golden Boy”, when, during the height of the civil rights movement, she, as Lorna Moon, and Mr. Davis became the first interracial couple to openly, and explicitly kiss on the Broadway stage; a role that brought death threats to her and to her family. Ms. Wayne also starred in a number of TV series and variety shows, and won an Emmy Award for her work in the “Hawk” opposite Burt Reynolds. In addition to her theater and television work, Ms. Wayne had a recording career and headlined in nightclubs all over the world, including at the famed Copa Cabana, performing solo and with the likes of Judy Garland, Milton Berle, and Jack Benny. Several of Ms. Wayne’s recordings, and an early “music video” can be found on the internet.

Upon relocating to South Florida, Ms. Wayne lent her voice and talents to many local organizations. She then became a beloved mentor and teacher at the famed New World School of the Arts. There, in addition to sharing her talent and drive to a generation of students, Ms. Wayne created the “New World Connection”, a performance troupe that continues at NWSA to this day. Many of Ms. Wayne’s students have gone on to win Oscars, Tonys, Emmys and Grammys.

Ms. Wayne donated all her orchestrations, including scores prepared by famous musician/arranger/conductor Chico O’Farrill, to the University of Miami School of Music. Two years ago students there had the privilege of studying with and performing that music with Ms. Wayne.

Ms. Wayne is survived by her three children and their spouses, Laurel (Steven) Isicoff, Joseph (Michelle) Myerson, Jason (Edward) Shelley-Beach, five grandchildren – Alison (Felix Schterk), Michael (Megan) Myerson, Daniel Isicoff, Andrew Myerson and Caitlyn Myerson, two great-granddaughters Zoe and Emi (and another on the way), her brothers, Jim (and beloved sister-in-law Linda) and George and her sister Mary. Ms. Wayne is also survived by her greatest friend, companion, and sister of her heart – Linda Griffith, whose daughters and grandsons became hers as well. Ms. Wayne is predeceased by her grandson, Joseph Isicoff, and her brother, Robert.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to KU Endowment, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 3012, Kansas City, KS 66160, to benefit Dr. Raed Al-Rajabi’s pancreatic cancer research. Online contributions may be made at www.kuendowment.org/give. Please indicate that donations are for the Paula Wayne memorial.