Wynona Cheyney

Biography

Wynona Cheyney was a South African actress. Prior to becoming a beauty queen, Wynona Millicent Cheyney was an accomplished dancer. As a young girl she came first in her category at the National Eisteddfod and later obtained a certificate from the Royal Academy of Dancing. In 1949 she became the third Miss South Africa in an unofficial beauty pageant, keeping the title until 1951. After that she appeared in two revues, namely The Craziest Show on Earth, and Wet Paint, both produced at the Reps Theatre towards the end of 1953.

Her first film was Alles Sal Regkom! (Hyman Kirstein/1951) with Al Debbo and Frederik Burgers, followed by Vadertjie Langbeen (Pierre de Wet/1955), Matieland! (Pierre de Wet/1955), Rip van Wyk (Emil Nofal/1960) and Hans en die Rooinek / Sidney and the Boer (Jamie Uys/1961). She also spent some time in England, appearing in an episode of the television series The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (1956) credited as Nona Cheyney. In between films she concentrated on her modelling career. She was married and divorced at least three times, including to Nigel Steggall, who had a role in the Al Debbo film Gevaarlike Spel (1962).