Kay Johnson
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- November 29, 1904 in Mount Vernon, New York, USA
- Died
- November 17, 1975
- Active Years
- 1929–1954 (26 Years)
- Total Credits
- 24 credits in database
Biography
Catherine Townsend Kay Johnson was an American stage and film actress born in Mount Vernon, New York, on November 29, 1904. She died on November 17, 1975. Following a performance of The Silver Cord at the Repertory Theater in Los Angeles, California, she was signed to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by Cecil B. DeMille. Her film debut was in the 1929 production Dynamite. Her filmography includes The Ship from Shanghai, This Mad World, Billy the Kid, and The Spoilers. She also appeared in a screen adaptation of Such Men Are Dangerous and the 1954 British film Jivaro, also known as Lost Treasure of the Amazon. Johnson was married to actor John Cromwell and had two children.
Career overview
Catherine Townsend Kay Johnson was an American stage and film actress born in Mount Vernon, New York, on November 29, 1904. Her professional career began following a performance of The Silver Cord at the Repertory Theater in Los Angeles, California, which was produced by Simeon Gest of the Figueroa Playhouse. This performance led Cecil B. DeMille to sign her to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Johnson made her film debut in the 1929 production Dynamite, written by Jeanie Macpherson and featuring Charles Bickford and Conrad Nagel. Production on this film was delayed while Johnson recovered from an appendectomy.
Throughout her career, Johnson appeared in numerous films, including The Ship from Shanghai, This Mad World, and Billy the Kid, all released in 1930. She also appeared in The Spoilers in 1930 alongside Gary Cooper and Betty Compson. Additionally, she was cast opposite Warner Baxter in a screen adaptation of the Elinor Glyn story Such Men Are Dangerous, which was adapted by Fox Film. Johnson eventually stepped away from her prominent stage and film career to focus on her family life as the wife of actor John Cromwell and mother to their two children. Her final film appearance was in the 1954 British film Jivaro, also known as Lost Treasure of the Amazon. Johnson died on November 17, 1975.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Kay Johnson.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
24 titles- Jivaro (1954) as Umari
- Mr. Lucky (1943) as Mary Ostrander
- Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake (1942) as Helena
- Hellzapoppin' (1941) as Lena - Lady Looking for Oscar
- The Real Glory (1939) as Mrs. Manning
- White Banners (1938) as Marcia Ward
- Call of the Wild (1935) as Show Girl (uncredited)
- Jalna (1935) as Alayne Whiteoaks
- Village Tale (1935) as Janet Stevenson
- Of Human Bondage (1934) as Norah
- This Man Is Mine (1934) as Bee McCrae
- Eight Girls in a Boat (1934) as Hannah
- Their Big Moment (1934) as Eve Farrington
- American Madness (1932) as Phyllis Dickson
- Thirteen Women (1932) as Helen Dawson Frye
- The Single Sin (1931) as Kate Adams
- The Spy (1931) as Anna Turin
- Passion Flower (1930) as Katherine Pringle Wallace 'Cassy'
- Madam Satan (1930) as Angela Brooks
- The Ship from Shanghai (1930) as Dorothy Daley
- Billy the Kid (1930) as Claire
- This Mad World (1930) as Victoria
- The Spoilers (1930) as Helen Chester
- Dynamite (1929) as Cynthia Crothers
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Kay Johnson best known for?
Kay Johnson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Mr. Lucky (1943), The Real Glory (1939), Of Human Bondage (1934), How to Survive a Marriage (1974).
When and where was Kay Johnson born?
Kay Johnson was born on November 29, 1904 in Mount Vernon, New York, USA. They passed away on November 17, 1975.
How many credits does Kay Johnson have?
Kay Johnson has accumulated over 24 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1929 to 1954.
What is Kay Johnson's background in cinema and television?
Catherine Townsend Kay Johnson was an American stage and film actress born in Mount Vernon, New York, on November 29, 1904. She died on November 17, 1975. Following a performance of The Silver Cord at the Repertory Theater in Los Angeles, California, she was signed to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by Cecil B. DeM...
Kay Johnson by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Mr. Lucky (1943) as Mary Ostrander — aged about 38
- Of Human Bondage (1934) as Norah — aged about 29
- Thirteen Women (1932) as Helen Dawson Frye — aged about 27
- The Real Glory (1939) as Mrs. Manning — aged about 34
- Madam Satan (1930) as Angela Brooks — aged about 25
- Passion Flower (1930) as Katherine Pringle Wallace 'Cassy' — aged about 25
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Kay Johnson.