Biographie
Mews Small is a celebrated actress and singer, best known for her role as Candy opposite Jack Nicholson in the Academy Award-winning film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest." Dustin Hoffman cast her in her first role as an actress and singer in the off-Broadway Gertrude Stein play "Brewsie and Willie," which he directed. In 1966, Maria von Trapp attended Mews’ opening night as the lead in "The Sound of Music," giving her a standing ovation and declaring to the audience, "I have seen many Marias, but tonight she was I." She then invited Mews to perform at the Montreal World’s Fair, where she captivated an audience of 10,000. Following this, Mews secured the role of Frenchy in the original Broadway production of "Grease" and later reprised the role alongside John Travolta at the Schubert Theatre in Los Angeles.
Mews has played significant roles in 20 feature films, including Woody Allen’s "Sleeper," the cult favorite "Thank God It’s Friday," and "Man on the Moon" opposite Jim Carrey. Her collaborators have included Susan Sarandon, Morgan Freeman, Henry Fonda, James Earl Jones, Elizabeth Taylor, Danny DeVito, Gene Wilder, Kevin Kline, and Vanessa Redgrave. In 2009, she appeared in the indie film "Boppin’ at the Glue Factory," earning the Best Supporting Actress award at the Tregor Film Festival in France. More recently, she completed a cameo in Andy Garcia’s film "Diamond." Over the years, Mews has also appeared in various TV shows, including "A.N.T. Farm."
Alongside acting, Mews has enjoyed a vibrant singing career. She performed on the New York City nightclub circuit and held numerous concerts on the East Coast before relocating to Hollywood. Her band, Mews and the Small Band, showcased their eclectic repertoire at venues across Southern California such as The Ice House, Genghis Cohen, Largo, and Renee’s. She has released two albums, including "Do What You Do," which features songs written specifically for her by Broadway composer John Jennings. Mews currently performs every Sunday at the UnUrban Coffee House in Santa Monica, and her music is broadcast on radio stations nationwide. Born Mary Edith Willard Small, she has built a remarkable career in both acting and music.
