Hunter, Kim (1922–2002)

American actress. Born Janet Cole, Nov 12, 1922, in Detroit, Michigan; died Sept 11, 2002, in New York, NY; dau. of Donald Cole (engineer) and Grace (Lind) Cole (concert pianist); studied acting with Charmine Lantaff, 1938–40; was a member of Actors Studio from 1948; m. William A. Baldwin, Feb 11, 1944 (div. 1946); m. Robert Emmett (writer), Dec 20, 1951; children: (1st m.) Kathryn Baldwin; (2nd m.) 1 son.

Made stage debut in title role of Penny Wise in Miami (1939); appeared in Arsenic and Old Lace at Pasadena Playhouse which brought her to attention of David O. Selznick, who signed her and changed her name; made screen debut in The Seventh Victim (1943), then appeared in a number of mediocre movies, until English film A Matter of Life and Death, released in US as Stairway to Heaven (1946); on Broadway, originated part of Stella Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire (1947), followed by film version (1952); fell victim to McCarthy hysteria (1950s) and was blacklisted for several years; on Broadway, was particularly notable as Luba in Darkness at Noon (1951) and Karen Wright in The Children's Hour (1952); on tv, appeared on "Gunsmoke," "Columbo," "Marcus Welby, M.D." and "Ironside"; once blacklist was lifted, appeared in Planet of the Apes (1968), Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) and Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971). Won Donaldson Award (1948) and Critics Circle Award (1948) and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (1952), all for A Streetcar Named Desire.

See also autobiographical cookbook, Loose in the Kitchen (1975); and Women in World History.