Elaine Dundy (1921-2008), born Elaine Rita Brimberg in New York City to Jewish immigrant parents, grew up on Park Avenue and was educated by a governess before attending Sweet Briar College, graduating with honors in 1943. A lively presence in New York's nightclub scene, she met figures such as Piet Mondrian before studying acting under Erwin Piscator alongside Rod Steiger and Tony Curtis. After working in Paris dubbing films, she settled in London, where she married theater critic Kenneth Tynan in 1951 and became part of the city's cultural elite. Dundy acted for radio and television before turning to writing. Her debut novel, The Dud Avocado (1958), became a bestseller, praised by Groucho Marx among many others. She later wrote The Old Man and Me (1964), The Injured Party (1974), biographies of Elvis Presley and Peter Finch, and a memoir, Life Itself! (2001). Dundy died in Los Angeles at age 86.