My high school girlfriend Kitty became a Hollywood actress in the 70s, starting out in a soap on tv called "The Doctors" in the role of Nola (her castmates called her "Nola Contendere" as a joke); when she left the show Kathleen Turner replaced her. I loved watching Kitty on tv every day.
This still is from a miniseries she did in 1979 called "Women In White", wherein she plays Dr. Jill Bates. Kitty is usually cast as a professional - doctor, lawyer, psychiatrist, U.S. senator, novelist - because she conveys intelligence with such ease. I found this promotional shot of her in a collectibles store in Alexandria, Va., back in the 1990s sometime. I love this shot of her - it looks almost candid compared with all the studio shots of her I've seen.
Kitty's done some really excellent work. I especially loved her in "I'll Fly Away", a series that was broadcast in the early 1990s. There were times when I'd completely forget I was watching a friend acting a role on tv, and I'd find myself deeply moved by her performance.
OK - I'd cry. Hey, it was a really well done series; and if you were watching it back then, you probably cried too.
She was also Jim Rockford's blind psychiatrist girlfriend on "The Rockford Files". She wore sunglasses throughout most of her appearances on "Rockford", except for those moments when Rockford would remove her glasses to kiss her. Too bad - Kitty has really lovely eyes, and you got to see them in all their splendor for only a few moments.
I last saw Kitty when I visited her for a few days in 1999 on my way back to Austin from 2 weeks in New Zealand. I took some digital movies of our visit; and if I ever get my shit together I'll edit them on my new iMac (thank you, Ruthie!) and post them here for "Family and Friends".
We write each other a few times a year. I try to send her something for her birthday each August; this year I sent her a dvd of "A Hard Day's Night", since we saw it for the first time together the summer of 1965 - in a theater in Glasgow, Scotland, when she was 15 and I was 16. I still love that film, and I always think of Kitty when I see it.
Angela., No para Innita, and Marzal added this photo to their favorites.
frankiesinger2000 56 months ago | reply
I remember that gorgeous face!!
Katherine Harrold, WOW!!!!
Poletti 55 months ago | reply
She was great in the 1979 TV movie "Vampire."
Vermont Ferret 55 months ago | reply
Poletti: It's really strange you should mention that film, because I was thinking of it no more than 2 days ago. A few years ago I mentioned to Kitty over the phone that I'd really loved seeing her turn into a vampire. She said they had to keep reshooting the scene where they lift the lid on the coffin she was lying in because she kept laughing as soon as the lid came up and she had to open her eyes and show her vampire teeth.
She said the hardest time to keep a straight face when you're acting is when you and a bunch of other actors are shooting a hospital surgery scene. She says that once everyone has a mask on and people start talking, it can be pretty hilarious.
Poletti 55 months ago | reply
The scene where she reveals herself to be a vampire is probably the most memorable in the film.
ART NAHPRO 54 months ago | reply
I'll Fly Away was a great series , tackling some difficult issues head on..good for Kitty
mikesoto302 52 months ago | reply
Do you know if Colgate Palmolive is ticked off at Harpo over the use of the name of the show with Dr. Phi's son & co.?
aye_spy [deleted] 6 months ago | reply
... sigh... Was smitten years ago by this beautiful woman, lovely to know someone not of Hollywoodland who calls her friend - but of course I am feeling a bit green. Thanks for sharing!!!