Kathleen Beller
Encyclopedia
Kathleen Beller is an actress. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award
for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in Promises in the Dark (1979). She was noted for her youthful appearance, unusually long hair, large brown eyes and buxom figure.
in the daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow
, which was originated by Denise Nickerson
. She appeared on the show until 1974, when she quit to move from New York City to Los Angeles. After arriving, Don Most
arranged her an agent.
Her film debut was a small role in 1974's The Godfather Part II
, portraying an actress in a play that the young Vito Corleone and Genco Abbandando attended, and in whom Genco was interested romantically. Afterwards, she was more remembered for her television work, appearing in TV movies and guest starring in television shows, notably the soap 'Dynasty'. She played Betsy in 1978's The Betsy
, starring Laurence Olivier
, Tommy Lee Jones
and Robert Duvall
. With this role, Beller hoped to end her television career and start her film career, and commented in an October 1977 interview:
Despite the optimism, the film was panned and Beller was soon forgotten by the audience. She blamed this on the contents of her role, complaining it could have been played by anyone. She soon returned to television work, appearing in TV movies such as Mary White (1977) and Are You in the House Alone?
(1978). Beller recalled the exhausting casting procedure of Mary White, which lasted daily for three weeks. The role eventually brought her to stardom. Meanwhile, Beller continued a career on the big screen. Following a supporting role in the 1978 musical comedy Movie Movie
, she was cast as a cancer victim opposite Marsha Mason
in the drama film Promises in the Dark (1979), that brought her a Golden Globe nomination. She spent three months researching the role, and although she later recalled it one of her favorite roles, the film was a commercial failure. After filming she chose a "happy, upbeat part" as her next project.
Regardless, in 1981 she co-starred with Mariette Hartley
in the psychological thriller
No Place to Hide
, which sparked her first adult role. Her character was initially going to be a teenager, but Beller insisted on playing someone more mature. This demand convinced her that she would not be cast, but the film's director allowed her character to be a woman in her early twenties. In an interview to promote the film, Beller admitted that although she was a 25-year-old by the time, she still had trouble convincing people that she is over sixteen. The following year, she played the female lead in the fantasy film The Sword and the Sorcerer
(1982). Despite the commercial success, Beller was dissatisfied by the film.
Beller is perhaps best remembered for her role as Kirby Anders Colby
in the television
drama Dynasty
from 1982 to 1984. During her stay on the show, she was "flooded by fans", until she suddenly cut her hair short. Beller blamed her departure from the show on the new writers who were hired in 1984. She explained that they had lost interest in her character and that when her contract ended, they decided not to renew it . Beller herself said that "[she'd] come back if they wanted [her]". She reprised the role for Dynasty: The Reunion
in 1991. After her run on the show, she yet again starred in a made-for-tv thriller, Deadly Messages
(1985), which according to the actress herself differed from her earlier thrillers by "[not taking] itself too seriously". In an interview, she explained her tendency to portray victims in films is encouraged by her "the color and size of [her] big brown eyes", "the way [she interprets] roles" and "the episodic roles [she] did while [she] was growing up". Her casting in the film was an unusual one: according to the actress, she received a call from her agent about a script, read it immediately, and drove to the studio an hour later, expecting a meeting. However, when she arrived, she was asked if she could start working right away. She took the role because of "the whirlwind casting", and the fact that she had not worked for seven months, since a guest spot on Glitter
.
Beller also played Mary Caitlin Callahan on the short-lived school drama, The Bronx Zoo
.
since July 2, 1988. they have three children.
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in Promises in the Dark (1979). She was noted for her youthful appearance, unusually long hair, large brown eyes and buxom figure.
Career
Beller started her career with appearing in several commercials. She debuted on television on 1971, taking over the role of Liza Walton SentellLiza Walton Sentell
Liza Kaslo Sentell was a fictional character on the now cancelled American Soap opera, Search for Tomorrow. She was played, most notably, by Kathleen Beller; actress and writer, Meg Bennett; the late actress Sherry Mathis, who was most identified in the role; and Louan Gideon, who played her to...
in the daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow
Search for Tomorrow
Search for Tomorrow is an American soap opera which premiered on September 3, 1951 on CBS. The show was moved from CBS to NBC on March 29, 1982. It continued on NBC until the final episode aired on December 26, 1986, a run of thirty-five years. At the time of its final broadcast it was the...
, which was originated by Denise Nickerson
Denise Nickerson
Denise Nickerson is an American former child actress best known for her roles as the gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde in the 1971 movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Amy Jennings in the soap opera Dark Shadows.-Career:...
. She appeared on the show until 1974, when she quit to move from New York City to Los Angeles. After arriving, Don Most
Don Most
Don Most is an American actor best known for his role as Ralph Malph on the television series Happy Days.-Acting credits:...
arranged her an agent.
Her film debut was a small role in 1974's The Godfather Part II
The Godfather Part II
The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American gangster film directed by Francis Ford Coppola from a script co-written with Mario Puzo. The film is both a sequel and a prequel to The Godfather, chronicling the story of the Corleone family following the events of the first film while also depicting the...
, portraying an actress in a play that the young Vito Corleone and Genco Abbandando attended, and in whom Genco was interested romantically. Afterwards, she was more remembered for her television work, appearing in TV movies and guest starring in television shows, notably the soap 'Dynasty'. She played Betsy in 1978's The Betsy
The Betsy
The Betsy is a 1978 film made by the Harold Robbins International Company and released by Allied Artists. It was directed by Daniel Petrie and produced by Robert R. Weston and Emanuel L. Wolf with Jack Grossberg as associate producer. The screenplay was by William Bast and Walter Bernstein, adapted...
, starring Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier
Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM was an English actor, director, and producer. He was one of the most famous and revered actors of the 20th century. He married three times, to fellow actors Jill Esmond, Vivien Leigh, and Joan Plowright...
, Tommy Lee Jones
Tommy Lee Jones
Tommy Lee Jones is an American actor and film director. He has received three Academy Award nominations, winning one as Best Supporting Actor for the 1993 thriller film The Fugitive....
and Robert Duvall
Robert Duvall
Robert Selden Duvall is an American actor and director. He has won an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA over the course of his career....
. With this role, Beller hoped to end her television career and start her film career, and commented in an October 1977 interview:
- "For a TV actress, getting that first feature film is a major step. So this is very important in my life. But, funnily, getting this part in The Betsy was actually the easiest part I ever got. I did one reading, one lunch to discuss the part with the director (Daniel Petrie) and that was that. I had the part. From now on, if I do any TV at all it will only be good TV. It's interesting how one feature film — and The Betsy isn't even released yet — can make such a difference in a career. On the strength of just being in The Betsy, I am finding it so much easier. Now I go in to read for a movie part, and they know me, the door is at least partly open."
Despite the optimism, the film was panned and Beller was soon forgotten by the audience. She blamed this on the contents of her role, complaining it could have been played by anyone. She soon returned to television work, appearing in TV movies such as Mary White (1977) and Are You in the House Alone?
Are You in the House Alone?
Are You in the House Alone? is a 1978 made-for-tv thriller film directed by Walter Grauman. The film is based on the 1976 novel of the same name written by Richard Peck.- Plot :...
(1978). Beller recalled the exhausting casting procedure of Mary White, which lasted daily for three weeks. The role eventually brought her to stardom. Meanwhile, Beller continued a career on the big screen. Following a supporting role in the 1978 musical comedy Movie Movie
Movie Movie
Movie Movie is a 1978 musical comedy film directed by Stanley Donen. Movie Movie consists of two short films, both starring the husband-and-wife team of George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere, with a fake movie trailer sandwiched in between them...
, she was cast as a cancer victim opposite Marsha Mason
Marsha Mason
Marsha Mason is an American actress and television director.She received four Academy Award nominations as Best Actress for her performances in Cinderella Liberty, The Goodbye Girl, Chapter Two, and Only When I Laugh. She is also known for starring in the 1986 film Heartbreak Ridge.-Life:Mason was...
in the drama film Promises in the Dark (1979), that brought her a Golden Globe nomination. She spent three months researching the role, and although she later recalled it one of her favorite roles, the film was a commercial failure. After filming she chose a "happy, upbeat part" as her next project.
Regardless, in 1981 she co-starred with Mariette Hartley
Mariette Hartley
Mary Loretta "Mariette" Hartley is an American character actress.-Personal life:Hartley was born in Weston, Connecticut, the daughter of Mary Ickes “Polly” , a manager and saleswoman, and Paul Hembree Hartley, an account executive. Her maternal grandfather was psychologist John B...
in the psychological thriller
Psychological thriller
Psychological thriller is a specific sub-genre of the broad ranged thriller with heavy focus on characters. However, it often incorporates elements from the mystery and drama genre, along with the typical traits of the thriller genre...
No Place to Hide
No Place to Hide (1981 film)
No Place to Hide is a 1981 made-for-tv psychological thriller directed by John Llewellyn Moxey. The film is based on an unpublished story by Harriet Steinberg, and stars Mariette Hartley, Kathleen Beller and Keir Dullea.- Plot :...
, which sparked her first adult role. Her character was initially going to be a teenager, but Beller insisted on playing someone more mature. This demand convinced her that she would not be cast, but the film's director allowed her character to be a woman in her early twenties. In an interview to promote the film, Beller admitted that although she was a 25-year-old by the time, she still had trouble convincing people that she is over sixteen. The following year, she played the female lead in the fantasy film The Sword and the Sorcerer
The Sword and the Sorcerer
The Sword and the Sorcerer is a 1982 fantasy film, starring Lee Horsley, Richard Lynch, and Richard Moll, directed by Albert Pyun. A mercenary with a three-bladed sword rediscovers his royal heritage when he is recruited to help a princess foil the designs of a brutal tyrant and a powerful...
(1982). Despite the commercial success, Beller was dissatisfied by the film.
Beller is perhaps best remembered for her role as Kirby Anders Colby
Kirby Anders
Kirby Anders is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty.The role was portrayed by Kathleen Beller from 1982 to 1984. She was introduced in the 7th episode of the third season, and was written off after the last episode of the 4th season...
in the television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
drama Dynasty
Dynasty (TV series)
Dynasty is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 12, 1981 to May 11, 1989. It was created by Richard & Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, and revolved around the Carringtons, a wealthy oil family living in Denver, Colorado...
from 1982 to 1984. During her stay on the show, she was "flooded by fans", until she suddenly cut her hair short. Beller blamed her departure from the show on the new writers who were hired in 1984. She explained that they had lost interest in her character and that when her contract ended, they decided not to renew it . Beller herself said that "[she'd] come back if they wanted [her]". She reprised the role for Dynasty: The Reunion
Dynasty: The Reunion
Dynasty: The Reunion is a 1991 miniseries reuniting the characters from the American prime time television soap opera Dynasty, a series which aired on ABC from 1981 to 1989 and was the highest-rated U.S. series in 1985. The miniseries, like the series, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy oil...
in 1991. After her run on the show, she yet again starred in a made-for-tv thriller, Deadly Messages
Deadly Messages
Deadly Messages is a 1985 made-for-tv thriller film directed by Jack Bender.- Plot :After Laura Daniels - who workes at a dating consulting firm - leaves to go out on a date with lawyer Michael Krasnick , her roommate Cindy Matthews uses Laura's newly found Ouija board and gets in touch with...
(1985), which according to the actress herself differed from her earlier thrillers by "[not taking] itself too seriously". In an interview, she explained her tendency to portray victims in films is encouraged by her "the color and size of [her] big brown eyes", "the way [she interprets] roles" and "the episodic roles [she] did while [she] was growing up". Her casting in the film was an unusual one: according to the actress, she received a call from her agent about a script, read it immediately, and drove to the studio an hour later, expecting a meeting. However, when she arrived, she was asked if she could start working right away. She took the role because of "the whirlwind casting", and the fact that she had not worked for seven months, since a guest spot on Glitter
Glitter (TV series)
Glitter was an American television drama series screened on the ABC network during the 1984-1985 season.The series was produced by Aaron Spelling and was set behind the scenes of a top entertainment magazine titled "Glitter" and attempted to combine the urgency of journalism and business politics...
.
Beller also played Mary Caitlin Callahan on the short-lived school drama, The Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo (TV series)
The Bronx Zoo is a 1987 NBC drama series directed by Allan Arkush and Paul Lynch. It lasted two seasons before cancellation.-Plot:Benjamin Harris High School is set in the impoverished, unruly inner-city Bronx. Principal Joe Danzig does his best to maintain optimism, while dealing with the lack of...
.
Personal life
In the mid-1980s, Beller announced she wanted to become a midwife and told a reporter that she had "attended eight births so far". Beller was married to actor Michael Hoit from June 22, 1980 to 1986. She has been married to musician Thomas DolbyThomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!", he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician.-Early life:Dolby was born in London, England, contrary to information in early 1980s...
since July 2, 1988. they have three children.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Girl in 'Senza Mamma' | as Kathy Beller | |
| 1978 | Betsy | ||
| 1978 | Movie Movie Movie Movie Movie Movie is a 1978 musical comedy film directed by Stanley Donen. Movie Movie consists of two short films, both starring the husband-and-wife team of George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere, with a fake movie trailer sandwiched in between them... |
Angie Popchik | |
| 1979 | Promises in the Dark | Elizabeth (Buffy) Koenig | Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture |
| 1981 | Fort Apache, The Bronx Fort Apache, The Bronx Fort Apache, The Bronx is a 1981 crime drama film made by Producers Circle, Time-Life Television Productions Inc., and distributed by Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation. It was directed by Daniel Petrie and produced by Martin Richards, Thomas Fiorello, with David Susskind as executive producer... |
Theresa | |
| 1981 | Surfacing | Kate | |
| 1982 | Princess Alana | ||
| 1983 | Touched | Jennifer | |
| 1989 | Time Trackers | R.J. Craig | |
| 1990 | Legacy Legacy: A Mormon Journey Legacy: A Mormon Journey is a 53-minute film produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Legacy depicts the life of two recent converts from the 1830s to the 1890s... |
Eliza Williams | |
| 1992 | Life After Sex Life After Sex Life After Sex is a 1992 film directed by Serge Rodnunsky by Rojak Films. It stars Rodnunsky, Lane Lenhart, Maggie Mabie, Kathleen Beller and Tommy Chong.... |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–1974 | Search for Tomorrow Search for Tomorrow Search for Tomorrow is an American soap opera which premiered on September 3, 1951 on CBS. The show was moved from CBS to NBC on March 29, 1982. It continued on NBC until the final episode aired on December 26, 1986, a run of thirty-five years. At the time of its final broadcast it was the... |
Liza Walton Kaslo Sentell Kendall #2 | |
| 1975 | Baretta Baretta Baretta is an American detective television series which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1978. The show was a milder version of a successful 1973–74 ABC series, Toma, starring Tony Musante as chameleon-like, real-life New Jersey police officer David Toma... |
Carla | 1 episode |
| 1975 | Crime Club | Pam Agostino | TV movie |
| 1975 | Hawaii Five-O Hawaii Five-O Hawaii Five-O is an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productions and Leonard Freeman. Set in Hawaii, the show originally aired for twelve seasons from 1968 to 1980, and continues in reruns. The show featured a fictional state police unit run by Detective Steve McGarrett,... |
Elena Mendoza | 1 episode |
| 1976 | Medical Center Medical Center (TV series) Medical Center is a medical drama series which aired on CBS from 1969 to 1976.-Synopsis:The show starred James Daly as Dr. Paul Lochner and Chad Everett as Dr. Joe Gannon, surgeons working in an otherwise unnamed university hospital in Los Angeles. The show focused both on the lives of the doctors... |
Sharon | 1 episode |
| 1976 | Bert D'Angelo/Superstar | 1 episode | |
| 1976 | Visions | Ruth Schwartz | 1 episode |
| 1977 | Little Deer | 1 episode | |
| 1977 | Most Wanted Most Wanted (TV series) Most Wanted is an American crime drama series shown on ABC from October 16, 1976 until August 20, 1977. It starred Robert Stack, Jo Ann Harris, Shelly Novack, and Hari Rhodes... |
1 episode | |
| 1977 | Something for Joey Something for Joey Something for Joey was a 1977 made-for-TV movie about the relationship between college football player John Cappelletti , and his younger brother Joey . Other cast members included Linda Kelsey and Steve Guttenberg... |
Jean Cappelletti | TV movie |
| 1977 | Barnaby Jones Barnaby Jones Barnaby Jones is a television detective series starring Buddy Ebsen and Lee Meriwether as father- and daughter-in-law who run a private detective firm in Los Angeles. A spin-off from Cannon, the show ran on CBS from January 28, 1973 to April 3, 1980, beginning as a midseason replacement... |
Julie Enright | 1 episode |
| 1977 | Mary White | Mary White | TV movie |
| 1977 | What Really Happened to the Class of '65? | Everybody's Girl | 1 episode |
| 1978 | Having Babies III Julie Farr, M.D. Julie Farr, M.D. was a short-lived American television show that aired on the ABC network in 1978. It followed three television movies called Having Babies which aired from 1976-78, and was not renewed after its initial run of episodes aired in March-April 1978... |
Dawn | TV movie |
| 1978 | Are You in the House Alone? Are You in the House Alone? Are You in the House Alone? is a 1978 made-for-tv thriller film directed by Walter Grauman. The film is based on the 1976 novel of the same name written by Richard Peck.- Plot :... |
Gail Osborne | TV movie |
| 1980 | Rappaccini's Daughter | Beatrice | TV movie |
| 1980 | Mother and Daughter: The Loving War | Renie | TV movie |
| 1981 | No Place to Hide No Place to Hide (1981 film) No Place to Hide is a 1981 made-for-tv psychological thriller directed by John Llewellyn Moxey. The film is based on an unpublished story by Harriet Steinberg, and stars Mariette Hartley, Kathleen Beller and Keir Dullea.- Plot :... |
Amy Manning | TV movie |
| 1981 | Manions of America Manions of America Manions of America is a 6 hour mini-series for American television made in 1981. The subject of the series were Irish immigrants to the United States during the Great Famine of the mid-19th century. It was the first American role for actor Pierce Brosnan, co-starring Kate Mulgrew, David Soul and... |
Maureen O'Brian | TV mini-series |
| 1982 | Kathy Reynolds | TV mini-series | |
| 1982–1984 | Dynasty Dynasty (TV series) Dynasty is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 12, 1981 to May 11, 1989. It was created by Richard & Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, and revolved around the Carringtons, a wealthy oil family living in Denver, Colorado... |
Kirby Anders Kirby Anders Kirby Anders is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty.The role was portrayed by Kathleen Beller from 1982 to 1984. She was introduced in the 7th episode of the third season, and was written off after the last episode of the 4th season... |
46 episodes |
| 1985 | Deadly Messages Deadly Messages Deadly Messages is a 1985 made-for-tv thriller film directed by Jack Bender.- Plot :After Laura Daniels - who workes at a dating consulting firm - leaves to go out on a date with lawyer Michael Krasnick , her roommate Cindy Matthews uses Laura's newly found Ouija board and gets in touch with... |
Laura Daniels | TV movie |
| 1985 | Murder, She Wrote Murder, She Wrote Murder, She Wrote is an American television mystery series starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher. The series aired for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1996 on the CBS network, with 264 episodes transmitted. It was followed by four TV films and a spin-off series,... |
Mary Carver | 1 episode |
| 1986 | Blacke's Magic Blacke's Magic Blacke's Magic was a short-lived American TV show about a magician, Alexander Blacke , who, with some help from his con-man father, Leonard , solves mysteries that get in the way of his performances. It ran for one season in 1986 for 13 episodes and featured crimes that tested logic against... |
Carla Gasparini | 1 episode |
| 1987 | Cloud Waltzing | Meredith Tolliver | TV movie |
| 1987–1988 | Mary Caitlin Callahan | 8 episodes | |
| 1989 | Murder, She Wrote | Maria Deschier | 1 episode |
| 1991 | Dynasty: The Reunion Dynasty: The Reunion Dynasty: The Reunion is a 1991 miniseries reuniting the characters from the American prime time television soap opera Dynasty, a series which aired on ABC from 1981 to 1989 and was the highest-rated U.S. series in 1985. The miniseries, like the series, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy oil... |
Kirby Alicia Anders Colby | TV mini-series |