Best known for her role of Candy, opposite Jack Nicholson, in the Academy Award-winning film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Mews Small is an acclaimed actress and singer. Dustin Hoffman gave Mews her first role, as actress and singer in the Gertrude Stein play he was directing off-Broadway “Brucie and WIllie”. In 1966, Maria von Trapp came to Mews’ opening night as the lead in “The Sound of Music.” A standing ovation followed, after which Ms. von Trapp announced to the full theatre, “I have seen many Marias, but tonight there couldn’t be a better Maria.” She then invited Mews to perform at the Montreal World’s Fair, where Mews stunned the crowd of 10,000. After that, Mews won the role of Frenchy in the Original Broadway production of “Grease” and later reprised that role opposite John Travolta at the Schubert Theatre in Los Angeles.
Mews has had major roles in 18 feature films, including Woody Allen’s “Sleeper,” the cult classic “Thank God It’s Friday” and “Man on the Moon” opposite Jim Carrey. She has worked with Susan Sarandon, Morgan Freeman, Henry Fonda, James Earl Jones, Elizabeth Taylor, Danny DeVito, Gene Wilder, Kevin Kline, and Vanessa Redgrave. In 2009, she acted in the indie film “Boppin’ at the Glue Factory,” which earner her an award for Best Supporting Actress at the Tregor Film Festival in France. Ms. Small has performed in numerous TV shows over the years; most recently on “A.N.T. Farm.”
In addition to acting, Mews has had a long and vibrant career as a singer. She played the New York City nightclub circuit and performed many concerts on the East Coast before moving to Hollywood. Her band, Mews and the Small Band, play their unique blend of eclectic selections at local clubs throughout Southern California, including The Ice House, Genghis Cohen, Largo and Renee’s. She has released two albums, one of which (“Do What You Do”) features tunes written especially for Mews by Broadway composer John Jennings. Mews performs every Sunday at the UnUrban Coffee House in Santa Monica, and her songs play on radio stations around the country.
Mews was born Mary Edith Willard Small
