Kathleen Hughes

This article is about the American actress. For the Irish historian, see Kathleen Hughes (historian).
Kathleen Hughes
Mara Corday, Hughes, Myrna Hansen and Allison Hayes in So This Is Paris (1955)
Born
Elizabeth Margaret von Gerkan

(1928-11-14) November 14, 1928 (age 96)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
EducationFairfax High School
Alma materLos Angeles City College
University of California, Los Angeles
Occupation(s)Film, stage, television actress
Years active1948–1998
Known for
SpouseStanley Rubin (1954–2014; his death)
Children4

Kathleen Hughes (born Elizabeth Margaret von Gerkan; November 14, 1928)[1] is an American retired actress who appeared during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Early life

Hughes was born in Hollywood, California, on November 14, 1928. Her uncle, F. Hugh Herbert, was a playwright who authored Kiss and Tell and The Moon Is Blue.[2][3][1] Her desire to act was inspired by a film she saw featuring Donald O'Connor, which gave her the idea that "acting looked like fun."[3] After graduating from Fairfax High School, Hughes attended Los Angeles City College and UCLA.[4]

Motion pictures

Hughes was discovered in a Little Theater production in 1948. Signed to a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox, she made 14 films for the studio.[citation needed] She appeared in five motion pictures for Universal Studios, including the cult film It Came From Outer Space. Hughes co-starred with Edward G. Robinson in a 1953 crime drama, The Glass Web, and opposite Rock Hudson in an adventure film that year, The Golden Blade.

Television

By 1956, Hughes was appearing in television series. She played in episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1956–1957), Telephone Time (1956), The Bob Cummings Show (1958), The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, 77 Sunset Strip (1959), Hotel de Paree (1959), Tightrope! (1959), General Electric Theater (1960–1962), The Tall Man (1961), Bachelor Father (1962), Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1965), and I Dream of Jeannie (1967).

In 1962, Hughes played the role of murder victim Lita Krail in the sixth-season 1962 episode of Perry Mason, entitled "The Case of the Double-Entry Mind". She played the recurring role of Mrs. Coburn on the television series The Ghost & Mrs. Muir. She appeared on M*A*S*H as Lorraine Blake, wife of unit commander Henry Blake, in a home movie she sent to him. Hughes portrayed Mitch, a secretary, on the NBC drama Bracken's World (1969–1971).[5]

Stage

Hughes' favorite stage role was in the play The Seven Year Itch.[3]

Personal life

On July 25, 1954, Hughes married Stanley Rubin, the producer of Bracken's World, at the home of her uncle.[6] The couple had one daughter and three sons. The marriage lasted 59 years, until Rubin died on March 2, 2014, at the age of 96.[7]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1949 Mother Is a Freshman Rhoda Adams
Mr. Belvedere Goes to College Kay Nelson
It Happens Every Spring Sarah
1950 Where the Sidewalk Ends Secretary
Mister 880 Secretary
I'll Get By Secretary
1951 Take Care of My Little Girl Jenny Barker
I'll See You in My Dreams Nurse
1952 For Men Only Tracy Norman
Sally and Saint Anne Lois Foran
1953 It Came from Outer Space Jane
The Golden Blade Bakhamra
Thy Neighbor's Wife Anushka
The Glass Web Paula Ranier
1954 Dawn at Socorro Clare
1955 Cult of the Cobra Julia Thompson
1956 Three Bad Sisters Valerie Craig
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Marian Koster Season 2 Episode 11: "The Better Bargain"
1957 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ann Nash Season 2 Episode 29: "Vicious Circle"
1958 Unwed Mother Linda
1966 Promise Her Anything Bit part
1967 The President's Analyst White House Tourist
1971 The Late Liz Elaine Rich
1972 Pete 'n' Tillie Party Guest
1974 The Take School Nurse
1990 Revenge Mother Superior
1998 Welcome to Hollywood Woman in curlers
2017 Swamp Women Kissing Booth Matilda

References

  1. ^ a b Mason, Buddy (January 8, 1953). "Behind the Movie Sets". The Algona Upper Des Moines. Algona, Iowa. p. 42. Retrieved July 19, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Hughes, Kathleen (1928–)". Encyclopedia.com. Cengage. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Kathleen Hughes is still growing up". The Argus. Fremont, California. February 22, 1970. p. 45. Retrieved July 19, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ "Behind the Movie Sets". The Los Angeles Times. February 9, 1949. p. 7. Retrieved September 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010. McFarland & Company, Inc.; ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7. P. 129.
  6. ^ "Kathleen Hughes Weds". Newport Daily News. Newport, Rhode Island. Associated Press. July 26, 1954. p. 7. Retrieved July 19, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ Pool, Bob (March 4, 2014). "Stanley Rubin dies at 96; prolific writer-producer of TV and film". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2020.

Sources