Fay Webb

Fay Webb (1907 – 18 November 1936) was an American actress who gained recognition through her marriage to singer and bandleader Rudy Vallée. After graduating from Santa Monica High School in 1927, Webb was signed by MGM Studios, where she began taking dramatic and acting courses. After meeting Vallée through mutual friends in 1929, the couple secretly married in July 1931, but by the second year, their relationship showed signs of strain. Despite attempts to reconcile, they officially separated in April 1933 and finalized their divorce in May 1936. During their divorce, both accused each other of infidelity and abusive behavior, although the judge ultimately ruled in Vallée's favor.

Despite their rocky relationship, Vallée had provided financial support to Webb after her mother's death. Webb died in November 1936 at the age of 29 from peritonitis following abdominal surgery.

Early life and career From a young age, Webb showed a passion in dancing and swimming, and secured small film roles following her graduation reportedly due to her attractiveness, however the studio anticipated that she would need to undertake a course in dramatics and acting before being considered for significant film roles.

Marriage to Rudy Vallée Webb and Rudy Vallée met around 1929, Despite rumors of marriage reported in late 1929, which were refuted by Webb's father, the couple did secretly marry in July 1931. Vallée's attorney confirmed that they were experiencing marital difficulties but noted that Vallée was attempting to reconcile. His attorney's demeanor was one of "great sadness", contrasting with the enthusiasm he had expressed about the couples' nuptials just a year earlier. With suggestions of a divorce increasing in likelihood by late 1932, Webb declared they had reconciled after a "sudden difference of temperament" and criticized the newspapers for hyping divorce rumors, asserting that Vallée never wanted to divorce her.

Despite her optimistic statements, the reconciliation was short-lived. Webb's feelings towards Vallée fluctuated over the years, on one occasion remarking that Vallée was "wonderful, but we just couldn't get along."

Separation and divorce The couple officially separated in April 1933, signing a separation agreement in Vallée's attorney's office. The agreement granted each party freedom concerning future actions but included clauses preventing either from discussing their marital issues publicly or Webb from participating in productions about their married life. Vallée retained the title deeds to their $80,000 house in California. Seven months after the separation, Webb sought to void the agreement to initiate legal action against Vallée. In 1934, following the death of her mother and the assumption of her mother's debts, Vallée voluntarily gave Webb a one-time sum of $25,000 to assist with her financial struggles.

During their divorce proceedings, Webb accused Vallée of having a violent temper and using abusive language. The divorce was finalized in May 1936.