- When Elsie Gertrude Mackay was born in Roebourne, Western Australia, Australia, her father, Samuel Peter Mckay, was 30 and her mother, Gertrude Florence Taylor was 27. Fanny Dango of the famous Rudge Sisters later became her stepmother and through her influence, got Elsie into stage acting which would comprise her career. Elsie Gertrude Mackay married actor Lionel Atwill on 7 February 1920, in Cook, Illinois, United States with whom she performed in several stage productions. Elsie Mackay had one film role in 1920, Nothing But the Truth. Motion Picture News of Jan-Feb 1920 noted it was her first film but reported that she "does not register...a screen personality. She appeared somewhat camera conscious...and did not photograph well. In 1933 Elsie married actor/writer Max Montesole. She died on 6 February 1963, in Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia, at the age of 69, and was buried in Caulfield South, Victoria, Australia.
- IMDb mini biography by: Craig Buras
- SpousesJames Stanley Smith(1957 - ?) (her death)Max Montesole(1933 - 1942) (his death)Lionel Atwill(February 7, 1920 - 1926) (divorced)
- ParentsFanny Dango
- In her debut film role, "Nothing But the Truth (1920) the press misspelled her name as Elsie Mackaye.
- She is often confused with silent film actress Poppy Wyndham, whose real name is "The Honorable Elsie Mackay" daughter of the 1st Earl of Inchcape in Scotland. They were born 6 months apart. This confusion occurred throughout both of their lives, especially since during that time period, the main form of travel to different countries was by steamship, which Lord Inchcape was an executive in the P&O company which both traveled upon. Australian born Elsie Mackay married 3 times, whereas The Honorable Elsie Mackay born in India to Scottish parents, married just once.
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