Kathleen Kirkham was an American actress who is best known for her roles in films such as “A Modern Musketeer,” “Tarzan of the Apes,” and “The King of the Turf.” She started her career in theater before moving to the big screen.
Personal and Family Life
Kirkham was born on April 15, 1895, in Menominee, Michigan. She was married to Harry N. Woodruff from 1917 onward. Despite her success in acting, she often portrayed characters that were much older than herself, including both vamp and mothering roles.
Career
Kirkham began her acting journey in stock theater in Wisconsin and developed her skills in dramatic schools. She frequently played antagonistic roles that became a defining part of her career. By the time of her passing, she had shifted career paths and worked as a cook in Santa Barbara, California.
Death and Legacy
Kathleen Kirkham passed away on November 7, 1961, in Santa Barbara, California. Her contributions to early cinema, particularly in supporting and villain roles, left a mark on the industry, even if she often played characters that were not the heroines of the stories.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| A Modern Musketeer | 1917-12-30 | Mrs. Dodge |
| He Comes Up Smiling | 1918-09-09 | Louise |
| The Foolish Matrons | 1921-06-19 | Annis Grand |
| The Adventures of Tarzan | 1921-12-01 | |
| The Sky Pilot | 1921-04-16 | Lady Charlotte |
| Sackcloth and Scarlet | 1925-03-22 | Beatrice Selignac |
| The Married Virgin | 1918-12-01 | Mrs. McMillan |
| Social Ambition | 1918-05-01 | Lucille Manton |
| The House of Lies | 1916-09-14 | Dorothy |
| The Devil’s Assistant | 1917-04-01 | Marion Dane |
| He’s a Prince! | 1925-10-05 | Girl’s Companion |
| For Husbands Only | 1918-09-01 | Mrs. Ellis |
| When Dawn Came | 1920-04-01 | Norma Ashley (as Cathleen Kirkham) |
| Josselyn’s Wife | 1919-05-05 | Lillian Josselyn |
| Beau Revel | 1921-03-19 | Alice Latham |
| The Triflers | 1920-01-12 | |
| The Masked Heart | 1917-07-02 | Helen Villiers |
| Nobody’s Kid | 1921-04-17 | |
| Pilgrims of the Night | 1921-09-26 | Lady Ellingham |
| The King of the Turf | 1926-02-28 | Letitia Selsby |
| The Eyes of the World | 1917-01-27 | Mrs. Taine – The Age |
| The Isle of Retribution | 1926-04-25 | Mrs. Hardenworth – Lenore’s Mother |
| The Seal of Silence | 1918-04-29 | Mrs. Loring |
| A Homespun Vamp | 1922-02-12 | Beatrice Carlisle |
| Tarzan of the Apes | 1918-01-27 | Alice Clayton – Lady Greystoke |
| The Romance of Tarzan | 1918-10-17 | Lady Greystoke |
| In Search of Arcady | 1919-06-01 | Barbara’s Aunt |
| The Gay Lord Quex | 1919-12-21 | Mrs. Jack Eden |
| The Calendar Girl | 1917-10-15 | Paula Ware |
| The White Moth | 1924-05-11 | Mrs. Delancey |
| Other Men’s Daughters | 1923-10-15 | Lottie Bird |