Kim Hamilton

Kim Hamilton
Hamilton with Ivan Dixon and Steven Perry in The Twilight Zone episode
"The Big Tall Wish" (1960)
Born
Dorothy Mae Aiken

(1932-09-12)September 12, 1932
Los Angeles, California, United States
DiedSeptember 16, 2013(2013-09-16) (aged 81)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Other namesKim Rousseau
OccupationActress
Years active1952–2010
Spouse(s)Robert Henry Hamilton (1951-1969)
Werner Klemperer (1997–2000; his death)
Children2

Kim Hamilton (born Dorothy Mae Aiken; September 12, 1932 – September 16, 2013) was an American film and television actress, as well as a director, writer, and artist. Her career spanned more than half a century, from the early 1950s to 2010.[1] Hamilton's early film credits included the 1959 film noir Odds Against Tomorrow opposite Harry Belafonte and The Leech Woman in 1960.[1] She was also one of the first African-American actors to appear on the soap opera Days of Our Lives and was the only African-American to appear in a speaking role on Leave It to Beaver.[2][1]

Hamilton portrayed, in an uncredited role, Helen Robinson in the 1962 film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, based on Harper Lee's novel of the same name. She was the film's last surviving African-American adult cast member with a speaking role.[3]

  1. ^ a b c Robe, Alan K. (2007-04-13). "Kim Hamilton interview with Alan K. Rode-PtS 1 and 2". Film Noir Foundation. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  2. ^ "Kim Hamilton, one of the first African-American actresses on "Days", passes away". SalemSpectator. 2013-08-29. Archived from the original on 2014-12-25. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  3. ^ "Harlem community honors 'Mockingbird' actress". USA Today. Associated Press. 2007-04-13. Retrieved 2013-10-13.