LOS ANGELES — Actress Kim Hamilton, who had a long and at times groundbreaking career, died here Wednesday, Sept. 16 of undisclosed causes. She was 81 (though, like many actresses, she fudged her birth year over time, her actual birth year was 1932). Her acting career spanned more than six decades, including roles on “The Twilight Zone,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “Leave it to Beaver” (she was the only African-American actress to appear on that series) along with “All in the Family,” “Kojak” and “Sanford and Son” in the 1970s; “The Jeffersons”, “St. Elsewhere” and “Designing Women,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, “In the Heat of the Night” and “Law and Order.”She also had several roles on daytime dramas, including “Days of Our Lives,” “General Hospital,” “The Young and the Restless” and “Guiding Light.” MSTies will remember her as Young Malla in the movie in episode 802- THE LEECH WOMAN.
Born Dorothy May Aiken, she originally wanted to be a lawyer, and enrolled school at Los Angeles City College, “But I got bored with it,” she said in a 1963 TV Guide interview. She left after one semester and enrolled in acting school. “I was there almost a year,” she recalled, but getting roles in that era was difficult. “All the other girls got cards from agents and casting directors, but I never did. I was ready to give up. Then I played the part of a silly secretary and got three cards.” One of the cards led to her first professional role, as Andy’s girlfriend on the series “Amos ‘n’ Andy.”
According to an Associated Press article from 2007, Hamilton was the last surviving black adult actor with a speaking role in the 1962 classic film “To Kill a Mockingbird.” In one of the movie’s climactic scenes, Hamilton, in the role of Helen Robinson, falls to the floor after learning her husband has been killed, and Gregory Peck, as Atticus Finch, scoops her up and carries her to safety.
“[Peck] was such a gentleman,” she recalled. “So concerned about protecting my knees so that I wouldn’t hurt myself…I never forgot that.”
She was married to actor Werner Klemperer from 1997 until his death in 2000.
Hamilton discusses her career — and mentions “Leech Woman” — in this 2007 interview.
This article was based on an obit written by “Jason47,” with his permission. Our thanks.
Thanks to Paul for the heads up.
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Very sad to hear this and very surprised that major media outlets (based on my internet searching, at least) haven’t produced an obituary for her.
Oh, wow… SVENGOOLIE just ran Leech Woman this past Saturday!!!
Condolences to family & friends.
J/P=?
Check out the Kim Hamilton photos search. She was a beautiful and talented woman.
And the scene mentioned from To Kill a Mockingbird was very powerful and memorable
as was all the performances in that film.
Now she’s at rest. Leaving behind on film proof that back then true beauty and talent
had nothing to do with the color of your skin. But with inner pride and being strong you could
find your place and make your mark in Hollywood.
#1 The major media outlets don’t have time for this type of news.
They have more important things to report on.
Like Miley Cyrus sticks out tongue, again but this time she licks a sledge hammer.
( Didn’t Peter Gabriel do a song called Sledge Hammer and it was about—-????? )
Miley boasts about using Molly, a drug that’s killing young people.
Miley rides a wrecking ball nude.
Miley jams giant foam finger……
Anyway,these are the stories the major media outlets care about.
Talented Role models for our young people to look up to.
Very sorry to hear this.She was married to Col.Klink of Hogan’s Heroes,too towards the end of his life…RIP Kim.
See, this is why you should always keep an emergency supply of pineal juice on hand.
Goodbye to a beautiful and talented woman.
RIP Kim, you never knew it, but you had many fans here.
RIP Ms. Hamilton. You are beautiful.
“They’re getting your tan!” RIP Kim Hamilton
i bet kim didn’t look nothing like Old Malla in her later years. she was a babe. Sorry to hear of her passing.
She had a great career. gotta look up the TNG episode she was in.
RIP, Kim. Always thought she was very attractive.
BTW, she was in “Final Mission” in season 4 of ST: TNG wearing a bunch of facial prosthetics and a wig as Songi.
Another star twinkles in the Constellation MST3K :star: RIP
It’s the Mom from ‘The Big, Tall Wish’ episode of The Twilight Zone!
Very sad to hear.
RIP Kim Hamilton
Get out! Werner Klemperer? Really?
@#4 so true, it’s a damn shame.
What a great career, thank you for sharing Sampo. RIP Ms Hamilton.
I enjoyed seeing her last weekend on Svengoolie.
The Leech Woman has pretty much served as my cautionary GUIDE TO DATING all these years – ironically saving my neck many times.
Thanks, Kim.
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