Kathleen Hughes
| Kathleen Hughes | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Elizabeth Margaret von Gerkan November 14, 1928 Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Film, stage, television actress |
| Years active | 1948-1998 |
| Spouse(s) | Stanley Rubin (1954-2014; his death; 4 children) |
Kathleen Hughes (born November 14, 1928) is an American film, stage, and television actress.
Early life
Hughes was born Elizabeth Margaret von Gerkan.[1] Her ambition as an actress came from two sources. She saw a film with actor Donald O'Connor which gave her the idea that "acting looked like fun."[2] Also, her uncle, F. Hugh Herbert, was a playwright who authored Kiss and Tell and The Moon is Blue.[2]
Motion pictures
She was discovered in a Little Theater production in 1948. Signed to a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox, she made fourteen films for the studio. She appeared in five motion pictures for Universal Studios, including the cult film It Came From Outer Space. Released on May 27, 1953, the sci-fi feature was adapted from the writing of Ray Bradbury. It was Universal's first entry into the 3D-film medium.
She had scenes in "Ironweed," "Revenge," and "The Couch Trip," all of which were cut before their releases.
Hughes considers The Glass Web (1953) with Edward G. Robinson her best film. Hughes credits actor Paul Henreid with giving her the major break in her career. This came when he chose her for the role of the stunning blonde in the movie, For Men Only (1952), which also is known as The Tall Lie.[2]
Television
By 1956 Kathleen was appearing in television series. She played in episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1956–1957), Telephone Time (1956), The Bob Cummings Show (1958), The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, 77 Sunset Strip (1959), Hotel de Paree (1959), Tightrope (1959), General Electric Theater (1960–1962), The Tall Man (1961), Bachelor Father (1962), Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1965), and I Dream of Jeannie (1967).
In 1962, Hughes played the role of murder victim Lita Krail in the 6th season, 1962 episode of Perry Mason, entitled "The Case of the Double-Entry Mind". She also played the recurring role of Mrs. Coburn on the television series The Ghost & Mrs. Muir. She appeared on M*A*S*H as Lorraine Blake, wife of unit commander Henry Blake, in a home movie she sent to him.
Hughes portrayed Mitch, a secretary, on the NBC drama Bracken's World (1969-1971).[3]
Her last television credit to date is for an episode of Finder of Lost Loves in which she played Edward's secretary.
Stage
Hughes' favorite stage role was in the play Seven Year Itch.[2]
Personal life
On July 25, 1954, Hughes married Stanley Rubin, the producer of Bracken's World, at the home of her uncle.[4] The couple has one daughter and three sons. The marriage lasted 59 years, until Rubin died on March 2, 2014 from natural causes at the age of 96.[5]
References
- ↑ Mason, Buddy (January 8, 1953). "Behind the Movie Sets". The Algona Upper Des Moines. Iowa, Algona. p. 42. Retrieved July 19, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kathleen Hughes is still growing up". The Argus. California, Fremont. February 22, 1970. p. 45. Retrieved July 19, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7. P. 129.
- ↑ "Kathleen Hughes Weds". Newport Daily News. Rhode Island, Newport. Associated Press. July 26, 1954. p. 7. Retrieved July 19, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Bob Pool, Los Angeles Times obituary (March 4, 2014)
- Florence, South Carolina Morning News, Kathleen Hughes Says She Is Still Growing Up, Saturday, April 11, 1970, Page 11.
- Newport, Rhode Island News, Kathleen Hughes First Feminine Sensation Created By 3D, Thursday, July 9, 1953, Page 9.