Kathleen Burke

Kathleen Burke was an American actor who is best known for her roles in Island of Lost Souls, The Last Outpost, and The Lion Man.

Personal and Family Life

Kathleen Burke was born on September 5, 1913, in Hammond, Indiana, USA. She had a career that began as a fashion model and included work on stage and radio in Chicago from a young age. Kathleen was married three times—first to Glen Nelson Rardin, then to Jose Fernandez, and lastly to Forrest Lloyd Smith, with whom she remained until her death.

Career

While working as a dental assistant, Kathleen entered a contest held by Paramount Pictures for the role of Lota the Panther Woman in Island of Lost Souls. She was chosen from over 60,000 entrants, which launched her brief film career, where she often played exotic characters and second leads in various productions during the 1930s.

Death and Legacy

Kathleen Burke passed away on April 9, 1980, in Chicago, Illinois, due to respiratory failure. Despite a relatively short film career, her role as the Panther Woman remains a significant part of her legacy, and she is remembered for her unique contributions to early horror cinema.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Island of Lost Souls 1932-12-24 Lota the Panther Woman
The Lives of a Bengal Lancer 1935-01-11 Tania Volkanskaya
Murders in the Zoo 1933-03-31 Evelyn Gorman
The Fighting Westerner 1935-03-01 Flora Ballard
Six of a Kind 1934-02-09 Woman (uncredited)
Nevada 1935-11-29 Hettie Ide
Mutiny Ahead 1935-03-01 Carol Bixby
The Lion Man 1936-08-12 Eulilah
Boy of the Streets 1938-01-08 Julie Stone
The Mad Game 1933-10-27 Marilyn Kirk
Sunset Pass 1933-05-26 Jane Preston
Craig’s Wife 1936-09-25 Adelaide Passmore
The Sheik Steps Out 1937-09-05 Gloria Parker
Rascals 1938-05-20 Dr. Carter’s Nurse
The Last Outpost 1935-10-11 Ilya
The Merry Widow 1934-11-02 Prisoner (uncredited)
Good Dame 1934-03-16 Zandra
The Awakening of Jim Burke 1935-05-18 Laura
Navy Wife 1935-09-17 Serena Morrison
Torch Singer 1933-09-08 Sobbing Girl
Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back 1934-08-15 Jane Sothern
School for Girls 1934-03-22 Gladys Deacon
Monster Madness: The Golden Age of the Horror Film 2014-08-01 The Panther Woman (archive footage)