Bryna Raeburn (born Bertha Sinai;[1][2] March 14, 1915[3] – January 3, 1985[1]) was an American radio and voice actress, known for her versatility,[4] in particular her command of a wide range of accents and dialects.[5]
Early life and career
Born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey,[1][6]Raeburn was the youngest of three children born to Russian-born Julius Sinai and Dora Hanna Blumenthal.[7][8]
Although little is known of her formal education, she spoke many years later with Bergen Record entertainment writer Virginia Lambert.
I majored in drama in college and knew how to use movement and facial expression, but I never really wanted to do anything except radio acting. I'm in love with speech and language. [...] I love radio drama. I've never been a raving beauty, but radio lets me play glamorous ladies.
To which her interviewer immediately appended, "or Scottish crones, French maids, Spanish dancers, Italian opera singers, British royalty, or whatever else a scriptwriter may dream up."[5] As Raeburn's colleague Mary Jane Higby later recalled, "Most of us could imitate some of our fellows, but some, like Art Carney, Bryna Raeburn and Billy Mack, could imitate anybody."[4]
On radio, aside from recurring roles such as Mrs. Graham—opposite Bob Griffin—on Mutual's Dr. Graham and Family,[9] she was a frequent guest performer on NBC's Dimension X and CBS Radio Mystery Theater.[10] The latter, 1974's nearly decade-long revival of radio's "golden age," was especially gratifying for Raeburn, who recalled, "I was in the last episode of so many of the old radio shows, it was really depressing."[5]
Personal life and death
By 1950, Raeburn had married fellow Jersey City native Dr. Meyer Smith.[11][12][13] They had one child, a daughter, born on New Year's Day, 1956.[14][12]
On January 3, 1985, at age 69, Raeburn died of undisclosed causes in Jersey City. She was survived by her husband and daughter. Her remains are interred at Riverside Cemetery in Rochelle Park, New Jersey.[1]
Filmography
Year
Title
Role
Director
Other cast members
Notes
Refs.
1960
Some Place Like Home
Self
None credited
Billed between Sam Jaffe and Sam Gray, all doing narration.
↑"United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JBPX-QXM: 7 January 2021), Bertha Smith, Jan 1985; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
↑"New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909", FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2W8M-SF1: 11 February 2018), Julius Sinai in entry for Ida Sinai, 20 Sep 1909; citing Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, reference 29525 New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 2,022,750.
↑"Doctor and Wife". The Sioux City Journal. February 9, 1947. Sec.3, p.8.
↑Thistle, Lauretta (November 21, 1964). "The Last Four Piano Sonatas". The Ottawa Citizen World of Entertainment. p.2. "A great deal of factual information is incorporated. For instance, did you remember that the Italians didn't have spaghetti until Marco Polo brought it to them? Bryna Raeburn, who does the narration about Italy, has an accent heavier than any pasta should be, and she's delightful."
Green, Ted (September 17, 1965). "Main Street". Back Stage. p.2. ProQuest963077152. The Stetson's Off To: Diana and Dick Ratazzi on the celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary, (Diana, you certainly deserve the Congressional Medal of Honor) [...] Rex Marshall, for his great commercial voice . . . Jack Lescoulie, for that everlasting smile of his . . . Bryna Raeburn, for her terrific cartoon voices . . .
