Kim Hamilton (born Dorothy Mae Aiken; September 12, 1932 – September 16, 2013) was an American film and television actress, whose career spanned from the 1950s to the 2010s.[1] Her early film credits included the 1959 film noir, Odds Against Tomorrow, opposite Harry Belafonte, and The Leech Woman in 1960.[1] Hamilton, who was one of the first African American actors to appear on the soap opera, Days of our Lives,[2] broke the color barrier[clarification needed] on the television series, Leave It to Beaver.[1]
Hamilton portrayed, in an uncredited role, Helen Robinson in 1962 film adaptation, 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.
Hamilton initially wanted to be a model, but could not work in the fashion industry due to her short stature and race.[1] Instead, she found a advertisement in the Los Angeles Times, which led to acting classes and an agent.[1] Hamilton made her professional acting debut in the 1950s television sitcom, Amos 'n' Andy.[1] She played Andy's (Spencer Williams) girlfriend on the show for several episodes.[1]
She briefly moved to London to pursue acting.[1] Hamilton was able to find some roles, but returned to the United States after the British Actors' Equity Association and the Secretary of State for Employment denied her work permit, a practice commonly used against American actors at the time.[1]
Hamilton appeared in more sixty television series and television films throughout her career. In 1960, she guest starred in an episode The Twilight Zone called "The Big Tall Wish."[1] She became one of the first black actresses to appear on the soap opera, Days of Our Lives,[2] Other roles included guest spots on The Thin Man, General Hospital,[4] Sanford and Son, In the Heat of the Night and Law & Order. She played Songi in "Final Mission" a 1990 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Her last television credit was a 2008 episode of the ABC series, Private Practice.
Hamilton was also an artist, director, and writer. In her final credits, she was credited as Kim Rousseau.[5]
In December 2007, Hamilton was honored for her career achievements by Columbia University and the Harlem community at an event held at the Museum of the City of New York.[3] Hamilton's honor was part of series of Columbia University's Big Read program, focusing on To Kill a Mockingbird through guest lectures, productions, and panel discussions.[3]
Personal life[edit]
Hamilton was born Dorothy Mae Aiken on September 12, 1932 in Los Angeles, California.[2] A former resident of Harlem, she divided her time between her homes in Los Angeles and the Upper West Side of Manhattan.[3]
She was married three times in her life and had two children; her son, Robert, predeceased her. Her first marriage, at age 18, was to Robert Henry Hamilton (1951 until divorce later that decade); this union produced two children. A third marriage was to television director, Dave Geisel (1962–65). She dated German-born actor Werner Klemperer for more than two decades before their marriage in 1997.[1] They remained together until Klemperer's death on December 6, 2000.[6]
Death[edit]
Hamilton died of undisclosed causes on September 16, 2013, aged 81, in Los Angeles, California.
