Occupation Actress Parents Thomas R. Johnson Role Film actress | Name Kay Johnson Years active 1929–1954 | |
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Full Name Catherine Townsend Johnson Children James Cromwell, Jonathan Cromwell Movies Madam Satan, Of Human Bondage, American Madness, Dynamite, Passion Flower Similar People John Cromwell, Cecil B DeMille, James Cromwell, William C deMille, Ruth Nelson | ||
Fernley nevada pillar of the community kay johnson
Catherine Townsend "Kay" Johnson (November 29, 1904 – November 17, 1975) was an American stage and film actress.
Contents
- Fernley nevada pillar of the community kay johnson
- OLD TOWN ROAD by featKay johnson
- Family
- Early years
- Films
- Personal life
- Death
- Filmography
- References
OLD TOWN ROAD by feat.Kay johnson
Family
Johnson was born in Mount Vernon, New York in 1904. Her father was architect Thomas R. Johnson, who worked in the firm of Cass Gilbert, the architect of several noteworthy buildings in New York City, including the Woolworth Building, the New York Customs House, and many 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.
Early years
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 Čapek'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.
Films
Johnson was signed to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 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 Madam Satan (1930), Passion Flower (1930), Capra's American Madness (1932), Thirteen Women (1932), Of Human Bondage (which starred Leslie Howard and Bette Davis), Jalna (1935) and Mr. Lucky (1943). 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 final film appearance came in the 1954 British film Jivaro (also known as Lost Treasure of the Amazon).
Personal life
In October 1928, Johnson married actor, director and producer John Cromwell. The couple had two sons, one of whom is actor James Cromwell. Johnson and Cromwell divorced in July 1946.
Death
On November 17, 1975, Johnson died from undisclosed causes at the age of 70 in Waterford, Connecticut.