Kay Johnson was an American actress who is best known for her roles in Of Human Bondage, Mr. Lucky, and Dynamite.
Personal and Family Life
Born as Catherine Townsend Johnson on November 29, 1904, in Mount Vernon, New York, she was the daughter of architect Thomas Robert Johnson and Grace Darling Townsend. She began her education at the Drew Seminary for Young Women and pursued her dream of acting at Sargent’s Dramatic School of the American Academy of Dramatic Art. In 1928, she married actor John Cromwell, and they had two sons, including the well-known actor James Cromwell.
Career Highlights
Kay Johnson’s acting career spanned from the late 1920s to the 1940s, where she showcased her talent in films such as Madam Satan, The Ship from Shanghai, and American Madness. Her most significant role came when she portrayed Norah in Of Human Bondage, directed by her husband Cromwell. Despite her success, she chose to prioritize her family over her career after their divorce in the late 1940s, stepping back from the public eye.
Death and Legacy
Kay Johnson passed away on November 17, 1975, from a heart attack at her home in Waterford, Connecticut, just days before her 71st birthday. She left behind a legacy marked by her classy on-screen presence and contributions to early Hollywood cinema, though she remains a somewhat overlooked figure in film history.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamite | 1929-12-13 | Cynthia Crothers |
| Billy the Kid | 1930-10-16 | Claire |
| Madam Satan | 1930-09-20 | Angela Brooks |
| American Madness | 1932-08-15 | Phyllis Dickson |
| Of Human Bondage | 1934-07-20 | Norah |
| Mr. Lucky | 1943-07-01 | Mrs. Mary Ostrander |
| The Spoilers | 1930-09-20 | Helen Chester |
| Village Tale | 1935-06-15 | Janet Stevenson |
| Jalna | 1935-08-09 | Alayne Whiteoaks |
| The Adventures of Mark Twain | 1944 | Not specified |
| The Single Sin | 1931-02-23 | Kate Adams |
| This Man Is Mine | 1934-04-13 | Bee McCrae |