Shirley Knight
Shirley Knight | |
|---|---|
 Shirley Knight in 1963 | |
| Born | July 5, 1936 Goessel, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | April 22, 2020 (aged 83) San Marcos, Texas, U.S. |
| Other names | Shirley Knight Hopkins |
| Alma mater | Wichita State University |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1959–2018 |
| Spouse(s) | Gene Persson (m. 1959, div. 1969)[1] John Hopkins (m. 1969, d. 1998) |
| Children | 2, including Kaitlin Hopkins |
Shirley Knight Hopkins (July 5, 1936 – April 22, 2020)[2] was an American actress who appeared in more than 50 feature films, television movies, television series, and Broadway and Off-Broadway productions in her career playing leading and character roles. She was a member of the Actors Studio.
Knight was nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress: for The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960) and Sweet Bird of Youth (1962).[3] In the 1960s, she had leading roles in a number of Hollywood movies such as The Couch (1962), House of Women (1962), The Group (1966), The Counterfeit Killer (1968), and The Rain People (1969). She received the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her role in the British film Dutchman (1966).
In 1976, Knight won a Tony Award for her performance in Kennedy's Children. In later years, she played supporting roles in many films, include Endless Love (1981), As Good as It Gets (1997), Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002), and Grandma's Boy (2006). For her performances on television, Knight was nominated eight times for a Primetime Emmy Award (winning three), and she has received a Golden Globe Award.
Early life
Knight was born in Goessel, Kansas, the daughter of Virginia (née Webster) and Noel Johnson Knight, an oil company executive.[4] She spent her young life in Mitchell, Kansas, and later lived in Lyons, Kansas, where she graduated from high school. She began studying to be an opera singer at age 11.
At the age of 14, she wrote a short story that was published in a national magazine. Knight later attended Phillips University and Wichita State University. After studying at the Pasadena Theatre School she began her film career in 1959. She then went to New York and began her theatre career. She trained in acting with Jeff Corey, Erwin Piscator, Lee Strasberg, and Uta Hagen at HB Studio.[5][6][7]
Career
Knight's feature films include The Group (1966), The Dutchman (1966), Petulia (1968), The Rain People (1969), Juggernaut (1974), As Good as It Gets (1997), and Elevator (2011), in which she plays one of several people trapped in a Wall Street elevator with a bomber.
Knight was cast in 1958 and 1959 as Mrs. Newcomb in 20 of the 29 episodes of the television series Buckskin, with Tom Nolan, Sally Brophy, and Mike Road. She became a Warner Brothers Television contract star who while on breaks filming movies appeared in television series such as Maverick, Bourbon Street Beat, Sugarfoot, Cheyenne, and The Roaring 20s.[8]
A life member of The Actors Studio,[9] Knight's stage credits include Three Sisters (1964), We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1966), Kennedy's Children (1975), which earned her the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play,[10] and A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur (1979).
She was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play twice, for Landscape of the Body and The Young Man from Atlanta, for which she received another Tony nomination.[10] She also appeared in Come Back, Come Back, Wherever You Are, (2009) an original play by Arthur Laurents.
Her television credits include Target: The Corruptors!, The Eleventh Hour, The Outer Limits ("The Man Who Was Never Born"), The Reporter, The Fugitive, The Invaders, The Virginian, Murder, She Wrote, Thirtysomething, Law & Order, L.A. Law, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Maggie Winters, ER, House M.D., Crossing Jordan, Cold Case, and Hot in Cleveland, among others.[citation needed] Knight also appeared in Barnaby Jones in the episode titled "Fantasy of Fear" (02/25/1975).
She appeared in various television movies, including Playing For Time and Indictment: The McMartin Trial. For the latter, she won both the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie and the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. Her guest performance in thirtysomething earned her a 1988 Emmy for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series. She won an Emmy in 1995 for her guest performance in the NYPD Blue episode "Large Mouth Bass".[11]
She appeared in the first segment of If These Walls Could Talk. She also had a recurring role on Desperate Housewives.[12]
Personal life
Knight was married to American actor and producer Gene Persson from 1959 until their divorce in 1969. They had one child, actress Kaitlin Hopkins (born February 1, 1964).
Her second marriage was to English writer John Hopkins from 1969 until his death in 1998. She and Hopkins raised her daughter with Persson together. They had one child, elementary school teacher Sophie C. Hopkins.[13]
Knight died of natural causes on April 22, 2020, at her daughter’s home in San Marcos, Texas. She was 83.[14]
Filmography
Film
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958–1959 | Buckskin | Mrs. Newcomb | 20 episodes |
| 1960 | 77 Sunset Strip | Mari Ellen Taylor | Episode: "Fraternity of Fear" |
| 1961 | Maverick | Nancy Powers | Episode: "The Ice Man" |
| 1961 | The Roaring 20s | Ellie Hollis | Episode: "Big Town Blues" |
| 1962 | Naked City | Kathy Meigs | Episode: "Five Cranks for Winter... Ten Cranks for Spring" |
| 1962, 1965 | The Virginian | Susan Morrow / Clara Malone | 2 episodes |
| 1963 | The Outer Limits | Noel Anderson | Episode: "The Man Who Was Never Born" |
| 1964 | The Fugitive | Janice Pruitt | Episode: "The Homecoming" |
| 1965 | The Fugitive | Mona Ross | Episode: "A.P.B." |
| 1966 | The Fugitive | Jane Washburn | Episode: "Echo of a Nightmare" |
| 1967 | The Invaders | Margaret Cook | Episode: "The Watchers" |
| 1967 | The Outsider | Peggy Leydon | TV movie |
| 1968 | Shadow Over Elveron | Joanne Tregaskis | TV movie |
| 1973 | The Streets of San Francisco | Mary Rae Dortmunter | Episode: "A Room With a View" |
| 1973 | Circle of Fear | Beth | Episode: "Legion of Demons" |
| 1973 | The Lie | Anna | TV movie |
| 1973 | Orson Welles Great Mysteries | Margot Brenner | Episode: "The Power of Fear" |
| 1974 | The Country Girl | Georgie Elgin | TV movie |
| 1974 | Nakia | Faye Arnold | Episode: "Pete" |
| 1975 | Barnaby Jones | Kay Lewiston | Episode: "Fantasy of Fear" |
| 1975 | Friendly Persuasion | Eliza Birdwell | TV movie |
| 1975 | Medical Story | Phyllis Lenahan | TV movie |
| 1976 | Return to Earth | Joan Aldrin | TV movie |
| 1976 | 21 Hours at Munich | Anneliese Graes | TV movie |
| 1978 | The Defection of Simas Kudirka | Genna Kudirka | TV movie |
| 1979 | Champions: A Love Story | Barbara Harlich | TV movie |
| 1979 | A Last Cry for Help | Joan Muir | TV movie |
| 1980 | Playing for Time | Frau Lagerfuhrerin Maria Mandel | TV movie Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie |
| 1982 | Kennedy's Children | Carla | TV movie |
| 1982 | Nurse | Sylvia Dennis | Episode: "Euthanasia" |
| 1982 | Tales of the Unexpected | Elizabeth Bourdon | Episode: "A Woman's Help" |
| 1984 | Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense | Ann Fairfax Denver | Episode: "The Sweet Scent of Death" |
| 1984 | With Intent to Kill | Edna Reinecker | TV movie |
| 1985–1987 | Spenser: For Hire | Katie Quirk | 2 episodes |
| 1987–1990 | Thirtysomething | Ruth Murdoch | 2 episodes Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series |
| 1989 | Murder, She Wrote | Grace Fenton | Episode: "Smooth Operators" |
| 1989 | The Equalizer | Kay | Episode: "Time Present, Time Past" Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series |
| 1990 | Murder, She Wrote | Grace Lambert | Episode: "Always a Thief" |
| 1990 | Matlock | Phyllis Todd | Episode: "The Mother" |
| 1991 | Bump in the Night | Katie | TV movie |
| 1991 | Shadow of a Doubt | Mrs. Potter | TV movie |
| 1991 | To Save a Child | Rinda Larson | TV movie |
| 1991 | Law & Order | Melanie Cullen | Episode: "The Wages of Love" Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series |
| 1993 | L.A. Law | Belinda Collins | Episode: "Hello and Goodbye" |
| 1993 | When Love Kills: The Seduction of John Hearn | Edna Larson | TV movie |
| 1993 | Angel Falls | Edie Wren Cox | Television series |
| 1993 | A Mother's Revenge | Bess Warden | TV movie |
| 1994 | Baby Brokers | Sylvia | TV movie |
| 1995 | Children of the Dust | Aunt Bertha | TV movie |
| 1995 | Fudge | Mrs. A | Episode: "Fudge-a-mania" |
| 1995 | NYPD Blue | Agnes Cantwell | Episode: "Large Mouth Bass" Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series |
| 1995 | Indictment: The McMartin Trial | Peggy Buckey | TV movie Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie |
| 1996 | Stolen Memories: Secrets from the Rose Garden | Sally Ann | TV movie |
| 1996 | Cybill | Loretta | Episode: "Romancing the Crone" |
| 1996 | If These Walls Could Talk | Mary Donnelly | TV movie |
| 1998–1999 | Maggie Winters | Estelle Winters | 16 episodes |
| 1998 | The Wedding | Gram | Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture |
| 1998 | Significant Others | Mrs. Callaway | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | A Father for Brittany | Donna Minkowitz | TV movie |
| 2001 | The Fugitive | Delores Dalkowski | Episode: "Past Perfect" |
| 2001 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Dr. Wharton | Episode: "Repression" |
| 2001 | My Louisiana Sky | Jewel Ramsey | TV movie |
| 2002 | Ally McBeal | Helen Apple | Episode: "Homecoming" |
| 2002 | ER | Mrs. Burke | Episode: "Insurrection" |
| 2003 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Rose Granville | Episode: '"Tragedy" |
| 2004 | Crossing Jordan | Frances Littleton | Episode: "Most Likely" |
| 2005 | House | Georgia Adams | Episode: "Poison" |
| 2005–2007 | Desperate Housewives | Phyllis Van De Kamp | 5 episodes Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series |
| 2009 | Drop Dead Diva | Millie Carlson | Episode: "Dead Model Walking" |
| 2010 | Hot in Cleveland | Loretta | Episode: "Meet the Parents" |
| 2012 | The Mob Doctor | Ann Wilson | Episode: "Turf War" |
References
- ^ "Gene Persson dies at 74". Variety. June 20, 2008. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ Admin (2020-04-22). "Actress Shirley Knight is Dead: Cause of Death Has Not Been Confirmed". Immi Guy. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
- ^ "("Shirley Knight" search results)". Academy Awards Database. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
- ^ "Shirley Knight Biography". Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ HB Studio Alumni
- ^ "Shirley Knight biography and filmography - Shirley Knight movies". Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ "Shirley Knight's Biography". www.shirleyknight.org. Retrieved 2019-09-30.
- ^ "An Interview With Shirley Knight". July 1, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ Garfield, David (1980). "Appendix: Life Members of The Actors Studio as of January 1980". A Player's Place: The Story of The Actors Studio. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc. p. 278. ISBN 0-02-542650-8.
- ^ a b "("Shirley Knight" search results)". Tony Awards. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
- ^ "Shirley Knight - Television Academy". Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ "Shirley Knight Plays a Desperate Former Housewife in Cycling Past the Matterhorn, Opening Sept. 29 - Playbill". Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ "ACTORS' DIALOGUE: Shirley Knight & Kaitlin Hopkins". Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (April 22, 2020). "Shirley Knight, Adventurous Actress and Two-Time Oscar Nominee, Dies at 83". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
External links
- Shirley Knight at the Internet Broadway Database
- Shirley Knight at IMDb
- Shirley Knight at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Shirley Knight at the Wisconsin Historical Society's Actors Studio audio collection, 1956-1969
- Shirley Knight at the TCM Movie Database
- Shirley Knight at AllMovie
- TheaterMania.com
- TalkMoviesWorld.com
- Shirley Knight discography at Discogs
- 1936 births
- 2020 deaths
- People from Marion County, Kansas
- American film actresses
- American stage actresses
- American television actresses
- Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe (television) winners
- Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie Primetime Emmy Award winners
- Actresses from Kansas
- Tony Award winners
- Wichita State University alumni
- Volpi Cup for Best Actress winners
- Volpi Cup winners
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- Actresses from Los Angeles