Kay Johnson
Encyclopedia
Kay Johnson was an American actress who performed on the stage and in Hollywood films.
in 1904. Her father was architect Thomas R. Johnson who designed several noteworthy buildings in the New York City
. Among these include the Woolworth Building
, the New York Customs House, and library buildings. Kay, as she was known, resolved to become an actress after leaving boarding school in Ohio
. Her mother reluctantly permitted her to take a course at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
.
's play R.U.R. in Chicago
. She moved to California after appearing in The Little Accident in Providence, Rhode Island
. She was accompanied by her soon to-be-husband John Cromwell
who worked as a director in Hollywood. They wed in October 1928.
by Cecil B. DeMille
following a performance of the The Silver Cord at the Repertory Theater in Los Angeles, California
. The play was produced by Simeon Gest of the Figueroa Playhouse. Her film debut came in Dynamite
(1929), written by Jeanie Macpherson and featuring Charles Bickford
and Conrad Nagel
. Production was delayed while Johnson recovered from an appendectomy.
She went on to appear in The Ship From Shanghai (1930), This Mad World (1930), Billy the Kid (1930), The Spoilers
(1930) with Gary Cooper
and Betty Compson
, DeMille's Madame Satan (1930), Capra's American Madness
(1932), Thirteen Women
(1932), Of Human Bondage (which starred Leslie Howard
and Bette Davis
), The Call of the Wild
(1935) and The Adventures of Mark Twain (1944). Johnson was cast opposite Warner Baxter
in a screen adaptation of Such Men Are Dangerous by Elinor Glyn
. The story was adapted to the screen by Fox Film.
Johnson's film career continued until 1954 when her final appearance came in the British film Jivaro (also known as Lost Treasure of the Amazon).
, an American film actor, director and producer, from 1928 until their divorce in 1946. They were the parents of two sons, one of whom is James Cromwell
, also an actor.
Kay Johnson died from undisclosed causes at the age of 70 in Waterford, Connecticut
.
Family
Catherine Townsend Johnson was born in Mount Vernon, New YorkMount Vernon, New York
Mount Vernon is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It lies on the border of the New York City borough of The Bronx.-Overview:...
in 1904. Her father was architect Thomas R. Johnson who designed several noteworthy buildings in the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Among these include the Woolworth Building
Woolworth Building
The Woolworth Building is one of the oldest skyscrapers in New York City. More than a century after the start of its construction, it remains, at 57 stories, one of the fifty tallest buildings in the United States as well as one of the twenty tallest buildings in New York City...
, the New York Customs House, and library buildings. Kay, as she was known, resolved to become an actress after leaving boarding school in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Her mother reluctantly permitted her to take a course at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with facilities located in Manhattan, New York City – at 120 Madison Avenue, in a landmark building designed by noted architect Stanford White as the original Colony Club – and in Hollywood, California...
.
Stock Actress
Her first leading role was in a play called Beggar on Horseback, and her first stage work of note was in the production of Karel ČapekKarel Capek
Karel Čapek was Czech writer of the 20th century.-Biography:Born in 1890 in the Bohemian mountain village of Malé Svatoňovice to an overbearing, emotional mother and a distant yet adored father, Čapek was the youngest of three siblings...
's play R.U.R. in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. She moved to California after appearing in The Little Accident in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. She was accompanied by her soon to-be-husband John Cromwell
John Cromwell (director)
Elwood Dager Cromwell , known as John Cromwell, was an American film actor, director and producer.-Biography:...
who worked as a director in Hollywood. They wed in October 1928.
Film career
Kay Johnson was signed to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-MayerMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
by Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil Blount DeMille was an American film director and Academy Award-winning film producer in both silent and sound films. He was renowned for the flamboyance and showmanship of his movies...
following a performance of the The Silver Cord at the Repertory Theater in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. The play was produced by Simeon Gest of the Figueroa Playhouse. Her film debut came in Dynamite
Dynamite (film)
Dynamite is a drama film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille. It stars Conrad Nagel, Kay Johnson, Charles Bickford and Julia Faye...
(1929), written by Jeanie Macpherson and featuring Charles Bickford
Charles Bickford
Charles Bickford was an American actor best known for his supporting roles. He was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for The Song of Bernadette , The Farmer's Daughter , and Johnny Belinda...
and Conrad Nagel
Conrad Nagel
Conrad Nagel was an American screen actor and matinee idol of the silent film era and beyond. He was also a well-known television actor and radio performer.-Biography:...
. Production was delayed while Johnson recovered from an appendectomy.
She went on to appear in The Ship From Shanghai (1930), This Mad World (1930), Billy the Kid (1930), The Spoilers
The Spoilers (1930 film)
The Spoilers is a 1930 film directed by Edward Carewe and set in Nome, Alaska during the 1898 Gold Rush. The film features Gary Cooper as Roy Glennister, Kay Johnson as Helen Chester, Betty Compson as Cherry Malotte, and William "Stage" Boyd as Alec MacNamara, and culminates in a spectacular...
(1930) with Gary Cooper
Gary Cooper
Frank James Cooper, known professionally as Gary Cooper, was an American film actor. He was renowned for his quiet, understated acting style and his stoic, but at times intense screen persona, which was particularly well suited to the many Westerns he made...
and Betty Compson
Betty Compson
Betty Compson was an American actress. Born Eleanor Luicime Compson in Beaver, Utah, she had an extensive film career. Her father died when she was young, and she was forced to drop out of school and earn a living for herself and her mother...
, DeMille's Madame Satan (1930), Capra's American Madness
American Madness
American Madness is a 1932 American film directed by Frank Capra and starring Walter Huston as a New York banker embroiled in scandal. The story thematically anticipates Capra's 1946 classic It's a Wonderful Life, in which Capra repeats the "run on the bank" scene...
(1932), Thirteen Women
Thirteen Women
Thirteen Women is a psychological thriller film, produced by David O. Selznick and directed by George Archainbaud. It starred Myrna Loy, Irene Dunne, Ricardo Cortez, Florence Eldridge and Jill Esmond...
(1932), Of Human Bondage (which starred Leslie Howard
Leslie Howard (actor)
Leslie Howard was an English stage and film actor, director, and producer. Among his best-known roles was Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind and roles in Berkeley Square , Of Human Bondage , The Scarlet Pimpernel , The Petrified Forest , Pygmalion , Intermezzo , Pimpernel Smith...
and Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television and theater. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional...
), The Call of the Wild
The Call of the Wild (1935 film)
The Call of the Wild is a 1935 American adventure film adaptation of Jack London's novel of the same name. A prospector heading for the Alaska gold rush rescues a sled dog from its cruel master. Stars Clark Gable and Loretta Young had an affair during the film's production, resulting in Young's...
(1935) and The Adventures of Mark Twain (1944). Johnson was cast opposite Warner Baxter
Warner Baxter
Warner Leroy Baxter was an American actor, known for his role as The Cisco Kid in In Old Arizona , for which he won the second Academy Award for Best Actor in the 1928–1929 Academy Awards. Warner Baxter started his movie career in silent movies...
in a screen adaptation of Such Men Are Dangerous by Elinor Glyn
Elinor Glyn
Elinor Glyn , born Elinor Sutherland, was a British novelist and scriptwriter who pioneered mass-market women's erotic fiction. She popularized the concept It...
. The story was adapted to the screen by Fox Film.
Johnson's film career continued until 1954 when her final appearance came in the British film Jivaro (also known as Lost Treasure of the Amazon).
Personal life
Johnson was married to John CromwellJohn Cromwell (director)
Elwood Dager Cromwell , known as John Cromwell, was an American film actor, director and producer.-Biography:...
, an American film actor, director and producer, from 1928 until their divorce in 1946. They were the parents of two sons, one of whom is James Cromwell
James Cromwell
James Oliver Cromwell is an American film and television actor. Some of his more notable roles are in Babe , for which he earned Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, Star Trek: First Contact , L.A...
, also an actor.
Kay Johnson died from undisclosed causes at the age of 70 in Waterford, Connecticut
Waterford, Connecticut
Waterford is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. It is named after Waterford, Ireland. The population was 19,152 at the 2000 census. The town center is listed as a census-designated place .-Geography:...
.