Kay Lenz
Biography
Kay Ann Lenz, born March 4, 1953 in Los Angeles, California, is an American actress who began her career as a child performer. Primarily active in television, she has accumulated more than one hundred credited roles. Early guest appearances include episodes of The Streets of San Francisco, Gunsmoke, MacGyver, McCloud, Cannon and Petrocelli. In film, she played a lead role in White Line Fever (1975) and was cast in the 1976 miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man. Lenz’s work has been recognized with two Emmy Awards. She is also credited under the names Kay Ann Kemper and Kay Ann Lenz.
Career overview
Kay Ann Lenz was born on March 4, 1953 in Los Angeles, California, and began her career as a child performer. Transitioning to adult roles, she built a reputation primarily in television, accumulating more than one hundred acting credits. During the 1970s she appeared as a guest star on a number of popular series, including The Streets of San Francisco, Gunsmoke, MacGyver, McCloud, Cannon and Petrocelli. In film, Lenz secured a lead role in the 1975 western‑action picture White Line Fever before being cast in the 1976 television miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man. Her extensive television work continued into later decades, encompassing a variety of dramatic and genre programs.
Lenz’s performances have been recognized with two Emmy Awards, underscoring her impact on the small screen. Over the course of her career she has amassed more than one hundred credited appearances across both film and television, reflecting a sustained presence in the industry from her early childhood work through mature roles. Her career trajectory illustrates a shift from early child‑acting roles to a focus on television guest spots and leading parts in both series and feature films, establishing her as a versatile and enduring figure in American entertainment.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
104 titles- Sallywood (2024) as Kathryn Corrigan
- More Beautiful for Having Been Broken (2020) as Cassandra
- The Downside of Bliss (2020) as Mary
- Ding Dong, You're Dead! The Making of "House" (2017)
- The Secret Lives of Dorks (2013) as Mrs. Gibson
- Adventure Time (2010) as Bird Woman (voice)
- Heartland (2007) as Nadine
- Bones (2005) as Harriet White
- The Closer (2005) as Mrs. Tatem
- House (2004) as Mrs. Bradberry
- NCIS (2003) as Conny Quinn Wheeler
- Cold Case (2003) as Hillary Rhodes (2009)
- Cock & Bull Story (2003) as Clair Coleman
- The Agency (2001) as Police Interrogator
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Laura Sidle
- Cover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Family (2000)
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Linda Cavanaugh
- Once and Again (1999)
- The Magnificent Seven (1998) as Ella Gaines
- Marry Me or Die (1998)
- The Adventures of Ragtime (1998) as Detective Hill
- Gunfighter's Moon (1997) as Linda Yarnell
- Journey of the Heart (1997) as Marvelle
- A Gun, a Car, a Blonde (1997) as Peep / Madge
- Shakespeare's Plan 12 from Outer Space (1996) as Sebastian
- JAG (1995) as Judge Smith
- Shame II: The Secret (1995) as Ginny
- ER (1994) as Karen Palmieri
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Rocky McCann
- The Tick (1994) as American Maid (voice)
- Trapped in Space (1994) as Gillings
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993) as Constance Hunter
- Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa (1992) as Cowlamity Kate (voice)
- Falling from Grace (1992) as P.J. Parks
- Reasonable Doubts (1991) as Maggie Zombro
- Streets (1990) as Sargent
- Hitler's Daughter (1990) as Leona Crawford Gordon
- Hardball (1989)
- Murder by Night (1989) as Karen Hicks
- Headhunter (1989) as Katherine Hall
- Physical Evidence (1989) as Deborah Quinn
- Private Affairs (1989) as Bonnie
- Midnight Caller (1988)
- Fear (1988) as Sharon Haden
- CBS Summer Playhouse (1987) as Ray
- Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987) as Karen Sheldon
- Stripped to Kill (1987) as Detective Cody Sheenan
- Starman (1986)
- Heart of the City (1986) as Kathy Priester
- MacGyver (1985) as Kelly Nielson
- Moonlighting (1985) as Melissa
- House (1985) as Sandy Sinclair
- Scene of the Crime (1985) as Cloris Morton
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Jennie Wells
- Hunter (1984) as Alicia Fiori
- Finder of Lost Loves (1984) as Ellen Ross
- Charles in Charge (1984) as Joan Robinson
- Whiz Kids (1983)
- Prisoners of the Lost Universe (1983) as Carrie Madison
- Trial by Terror (1983) as Karen Armstrong
- Hotel (1982) as Mary Morowsky / Monique Bennett
- Cagney & Lacey (1982)
- Matt Houston (1982)
- Fast-Walking (1982) as Moke
- Simon & Simon (1981)
- Hill Street Blues (1981)
- The Fall Guy (1981)
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Sally DeForest
- Escape (1980) as Barbara Chilcoate
- The Hustler of Muscle Beach (1980) as Jenny O'Rourke
- The Passage (1979) as Leah Bergson
- Sanctuary of Fear (1979) as Carol Bain
- The Seeding of Sarah Burns (1979) as Sarah Burns
- Mean Dog Blues (1978) as Linda Ramsey
- The Initiation of Sarah (1978) as Sarah Goodwin
- Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II (1976) as Kate Jordache
- Rich Man, Poor Man (1976) as Kate Jordache
- The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday (1976) as Thursday
- Moving Violation (1976) as Cam Johnson
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Susan (uncredited)
- Upcoming Season (1975) as Susan
- White Line Fever (1975) as Jerri Kane Hummer
- Journey from Darkness (1975) as Sherry Williams
- Petrocelli (1974)
- Kodiak (1974) as Mary Taylor
- Unwed Father (1974) as Vicky Simmons
- The F.B.I. Story: The FBI Versus Alvin Karpis, Public Enemy Number One (1974) as Shirley
- The Underground Man (1974) as Sue Crandell
- American Graffiti (1973) as Jane
- A Summer Without Boys (1973) as Ruth Hailey
- Breezy (1973) as Breezy
- Lisa, Bright and Dark (1973) as Lisa Schilling
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972)
- The Weekend Nun (1972) as Audree Prewitt
- Cannon (1971)
- McCloud (1970)
- Medical Center (1969)
- Ironside (1967)
- The Monroes (1966)
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) as Joy Don Wyndham
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Lettie Graham
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Lisa Schilling
- Mistake
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Kay Lenz best known for?
Kay Lenz is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including More Beautiful for Having Been Broken (2020), Adventure Time (2010), The Abyss (1989), The 13th Warrior (1999).
When and where was Kay Lenz born?
Kay Lenz was born on March 4, 1953 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
How many credits does Kay Lenz have?
Kay Lenz has accumulated over 104 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2024.
What is Kay Lenz's background in cinema and television?
Kay Ann Lenz, born March 4, 1953 in Los Angeles, California, is an American actress who began her career as a child performer. Primarily active in television, she has accumulated more than one hundred credited roles. Early guest appearances include episodes of The Streets of San Francisco, Gunsmoke, MacGyver, McCloud, ...
Kay Lenz by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Lisa Schilling — aged about 1
- House (2004) as Mrs. Bradberry — aged about 51
- Adventure Time (2010) as Bird Woman (voice) — aged about 57
- Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II (1976) as Kate Jordache — aged about 23
- Bones (2005) as Harriet White — aged about 52
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Linda Cavanaugh — aged about 46
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