Kim Hamilton

Kim Hamilton
Hamilton with Ivan Dixon and Steven Perry in The Twilight Zone episode
"The Big Tall Wish" (1960)
Born Dorothy Mae Aiken
(1932-09-12)September 12, 1932
Los Angeles, California, United States
Died September 16, 2013(2013-09-16) (aged 81)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Other names Kim Rousseau
Occupation Actress
Years active 1952–2010
Spouse(s) Robert Henry Hamilton (1951–19??)
Dave Geisel (1962–65; divorced)
Werner Klemperer (1997–2000; his death)
Children 2

Kim Hamilton (born Dorothy Mae Aiken; September 12, 1932 – September 16, 2013) was an American film and television actress, as well as a director, writer, and artist. Her career spanned more than half a century, from the early 1950s to 2010.[1] Hamilton's early film credits included the 1959 film noir Odds Against Tomorrow opposite Harry Belafonte and The Leech Woman in 1960.[1] She was also one of the first African-American actors to appear on the soap opera Days of Our Lives[2] and was the only African-American to appear in a speaking role on Leave It to Beaver.[1]

Hamilton portrayed, in an uncredited role, Helen Robinson in the 1962 film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, based on Harper Lee's novel of the same name. She was the film's last surviving African-American adult cast member with a speaking role.[3]

Early life and career

Born in Los Angeles, California, Hamilton as a young woman initially wanted to be a model but could not find work in the fashion industry owing to her short stature and race.[1] Instead, she enrolled in acting classes after seeing an advertisement in the Los Angeles Times and then enlisted the services of an agent.[1] Hamilton made her professional acting debut in the 1950s television sitcom Amos 'n' Andy.[1] She played the girlfriend of Andy (Spencer Williams) on the show for several episodes.[1]

She briefly moved to London to pursue acting.[1] Hamilton was able to find some roles but returned to the United States after the British Actors' Equity Association and the Secretary of State for Employment denied her a work permit, a practice commonly used against American actors at the time.[1]

Hamilton appeared in more than 60 television series and television films throughout her career. In 1960, she guest-starred in an episode of The Twilight Zone called "The Big Tall Wish."[1] In 1963 and 1964, she played a high-school librarian on two episodes of the popular series My Three Sons.[4] She also became one of the first black actresses to appear on the soap opera Days of Our Lives.[2] Other roles included guest spots on The Thin Man, General Hospital,[5] Sanford and Son, Good Times, The Jeffersons, In the Heat of the Night, All In The Family, and Law & Order. She portrayed Songi in "Final Mission" a 1990 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Her last television credit was a 2008 episode of the ABC series Private Practice.[4]

Hamilton was also an artist, director, and writer. In her final credits, she was credited as Kim Rousseau.[6]

In December 2007, Hamilton was honored for her career achievements by Columbia University and the Harlem community at an event held at the Museum of the City of New York.[3] Hamilton's honor was part of series of Columbia University's Big Read program, focusing on To Kill a Mockingbird through guest lectures, productions, and panel discussions.[3]

Personal life and death

Kim Hamilton was married three times. Her first marriage, at age 18, was to Robert Henry Hamilton in 1951. They had two children but divorced a decade later. One of her children, her son Robert, predeceased her. Her second marriage was to television director Dave Geisel, which lasted only three years, from 1962 to 1965. She then dated German-born actor Werner Klemperer for more than two decades before they married in 1997.[1] They remained together until Klemperer's death on December 6, 2000.[7]

Hamilton in her later years divided her time between the East and West coasts, living at her home in Manhattan and at her other residence in her hometown of Los Angeles. In 2013, at age 81, she died of undisclosed causes while in Los Angeles.[2][8][9]

Filmography

Films

Year Title Role Notes
1957 Something of Value Kipi's Wife Uncredited
1959 Odds Against Tomorrow Ruth Ingram
1960 The Leech Woman Young Malla
1961 The Wizard of Baghdad Teegra - Yasmin's Servant Uncredited
1962 A Public Affair Mrs. Hendrickson
1962 To Kill a Mockingbird Helen Robinson - Tom's Wife Uncredited
1966 The Wild Angels Nurse
1971 Kotch Emma Daly
1973 Heavy Traffic Voice
1981 Body and Soul Mrs. Johnson

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1960 The Twilight Zone Frances Episode: "The Big Tall Wish"
1963 Leave it to Beaver Maid Parking Attendant
1974 Kojak Sgt Donna Mill Episode: "Hush Now, Don't You Die"
1974 All In The Family Mrs. Helen Willis Episode: "Lionel's Engagement"
2008 Private Practice Frances Episode: "Serving Two Masters"
1972 Sanford and Son Carol Davis Episode: "Fred & Carol and Fred & Donna"
1983 The Jeffersons Pauline My Wife... My Maid
1985 Alice Mrs. Reynolds Vera's Grounded Gumshoe

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Robe, Alan K. (2007-04-13). "Kim Hamilton interview with Alan K. Rode-PtS 1 and 2". Film Noir Foundation. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  2. 1 2 3 "Kim Hamilton, one of the first African-American actresses on "Days", passes away". SalemSpectator.com. 2013-08-29. Archived from the original on 2014-12-25. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  3. 1 2 3 "Harlem community honors 'Mockingbird' actress". Associated Press. USA Today. 2007-04-13. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  4. 1 2 "Kim Hamilton", Internet Movie Database (IMDb), a subsidiary of Amazon, Seattle, Washington. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Kim Hamilton Joins General Hospital Cast". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. September 26, 1969. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  6. ↑ Kim Hamilton filmography
  7. ↑ Woo, Elaine (2000-12-08). "Werner Klemperer; Played Col. Klink in 'Hogan's Heroes'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  8. ↑ Actress Kim Hamilton, From TNG's 'Final Mission', Dies
  9. ↑ Actress Kim Hamilton Dies at 81, November 6, 2013, 04:42PM PT, article by Carmel Dagan, Variety.com, accessed November 6, 2013.
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