MacKenna was born as
Leo Mielziner Jr. in
Canterbury, New Hampshire, to portrait artist
Leo Mielziner (December 7, 1868 - August 11, 1935), the son of a prominent Reform
rabbi (
Moses Mielziner) and Ella Lane McKenna Friend (March 18, 1873 – February 2, 1968). In
Mary C. Henderson's book about his brother,
Jo Mielziner,
Mielziner: Master of Modern Stage Design (2001), she states, "Kenneth MacKenna was the classic example of the first born son. On reaching manhood, he felt that it was his duty to take care of his entire family: mother, father and sibling. Responsible, intelligent and clear-headed he was constantly setting up strategies for his family as if he knew instinctively what was best—and he was usually right." (p. 92).MacKenna's devotion to his wife,
Mary Philips, and to his brother, Jo, as well as to Jo's adopted son, Michael Mielziner, continued until his death and then beyond. His own professional success as a story director with MGM allowed him to help support his brother's career, give generously to others, and contribute to the theatre, even after his own death. Mielziner was a five-time
Tony Award winner. MacKenna and his wife,
Mary Philips, both actors, were also long-time supporters of the arts. As angels for the first production of
South Pacific, MacKenna first brought the book to
Richard Rodgers, suggesting its production as a stage musical. The Rodgers had been long-time friends with the MacKennas/Mielziners.
Mary Martin, who starred in that production, created an embroidered signature scarf of all the stars in that first production of
South Pacific and presented it as a gift of thanks to the MacKennas. This scarf was later given as a gift to Lucille Hackett (née Bardorf), cousin and beloved "sister" to Philips. MacKenna's role as an angel and his position as a director with MGM can be further researched through the Mielziner papers at the New York Public Library and through the library at MGM. Philips had a successful career as a stage and film star during the golden age of the theatre. In September 1924,
Humphrey Bogart had appeared in the Broadway play
Nerves with MacKenna and Philips. They all became good and lifelong friends. Philips was later married to Bogart (1928–1938), but the marriage ended in divorce. MacKenna married Philips in 1938. It was the second and final marriage for both. MacKenna was first married to actress
Kay Francis on January 17, 1931. They divorced in February 1934. He married Philips in August 1938 and they remained married until his death from cancer. As his wife, long-time friend, and companion, Philips described Kenneth as her true soulmate and felt as though her own life had come to an end when Kenneth died. MacKenna died on January 15, 1962, in Santa Monica, California, at age 62. He and Philips were buried at
Forest Lawn Memorial Park in
Glendale, California. ==Biography==