Phyllis Kirk

Phyllis Kirk

Deceased · Born: Sep 18, 1927 · Died: Oct 19, 2006

Personal Details

BornSep 18, 1927 Plainfield, New Jersey, USA

Biography

Phyllis Kirk, a talented actress of Danish heritage, was born in Syracuse, New York, and embarked on a multifaceted career, initially working as a waitress and perfume counter clerk before transitioning into modeling. Her stage presence soon led to roles on stage, which in turn paved the way for her entry into the world of Hollywood.

As a contract player at MGM and later at Warner Brothers, Kirk's most iconic role was likely that of a woman stalked by the maniacal sculptor Vincent Price in the 1953 film House of Wax. However, it was on the small screen that her talents truly shone, as she took on dramatic roles in numerous prestigious television series, earning her the distinction of being featured on the covers of both TV Guide and Life magazines.

One of her most well-known television roles was that of Nora Charles, the vivacious and quick-witted wife of Peter Lawford, on the popular series The Thin Man in 1957. Throughout her acting career, Kirk also ventured into journalism, working as an interviewer and writer for the American Civil Liberties Union.

After her final acting roles in the 1970s, Kirk transitioned into a career in public relations before eventually retiring.

Career

{"id":10455,"title":"The Twilight Zone","year":1959,"character":"Victoria West","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-twilight-zone-1959","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/24g2krjs3n00.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/24g2krjs3n00.jpg"},"released":1}
1959
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone as Victoria West
{"id":82415,"title":"The Sad Sack","year":"1957","character":"Maj. Shelton","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-sad-sack","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82415.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82415.jpg"},"released":1}
1957
The Sad Sack
The Sad Sack as Maj. Shelton
{"id":66426,"title":"City After Midnight","year":"1957","character":"Eve Atwood","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/city-after-midnight","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_66426.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_66426.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":10485,"title":"The Thin Man","year":1957,"character":"Nora Charles","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-thin-man","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_10485.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_10485.jpg"},"released":1}
The Thin Man
The Thin Man as Nora Charles
{"id":67005,"title":"Back from Eternity","year":"1956","character":"Louise Melhorn","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/back-from-eternity","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7t7db21ka5k0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7t7db21ka5k0.jpg"},"released":1}
1956
Back from Eternity
Back from Eternity as Louise Melhorn
{"id":186616,"title":"Johnny Concho","year":"1956","character":"Mary Dark","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/johnny-concho","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_186616.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_186616.jpg"},"released":1}
Johnny Concho
Johnny Concho as Mary Dark
{"id":67013,"title":"Canyon Crossroads","year":"1955","character":"Katherine Rand","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/canyon-crossroads","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67013.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67013.jpg"},"released":1}
1955
Canyon Crossroads
Canyon Crossroads as Katherine Rand
{"id":186672,"title":"Playwrights '56","year":"1955","character":"The Girl","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/playwrights-56","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_186672.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_186672.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":94900,"title":"River Beat","year":"1954","character":"Judy Roberts","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/river-beat","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_94900.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_94900.jpg"},"released":1}
1954
River Beat
River Beat as Judy Roberts
{"id":103831568,"title":"Climax!","year":1954,"character":"Mrs. Evans","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/climax","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103831568.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103831568.jpg"},"released":1}
Climax!
Climax! as Mrs. Evans
{"id":67846,"title":"Thunder Over the Plains","year":"1953","character":"Norah Porter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/thunder-over-the-plains","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67846.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67846.jpg"},"released":1}
1953
{"id":6408,"title":"House of Wax","year":"1953","character":"Sue Allen","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/house-of-wax-1953","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5t68bf08bp60.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5t68bf08bp60.jpg"},"released":1}
House of Wax
House of Wax as Sue Allen
{"id":67316,"title":"Crime Wave","year":"1953","character":"Ellen Lacey","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/crime-wave-1953","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1p0pccsb1hc0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1p0pccsb1hc0.jpg"},"released":1}
Crime Wave
Crime Wave as Ellen Lacey
{"id":67999,"title":"About Face","year":"1952","character":"Alice Wheatley","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/about-face","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67999.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67999.jpg"},"released":1}
1952
About Face
About Face as Alice Wheatley
{"id":67942,"title":"The Iron Mistress","year":"1952","character":"Ursula de Varamendi","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-iron-mistress","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67942.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67942.jpg"},"released":1}
The Iron Mistress
The Iron Mistress as Ursula de Varamendi
{"id":68094,"title":"Just This Once","year":"1952","character":"Young Lover on Ferry","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/just-this-once","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68094.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68094.jpg"},"released":1}
Just This Once
Just This Once as Young Lover on Ferry
{"id":68159,"title":"She's Working Her Way Through College","year":"1952","character":"Co-Ed (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/shes-working-her-way-through-college-1952","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68159.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68159.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":68057,"title":"Stop, You're Killing Me","year":"1952","character":"Nurse (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/stop-youre-killing-me-1952","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68057.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68057.jpg"},"released":1}
Stop, You're Killing Me
Stop, You're Killing Me as Nurse (uncredited)
{"id":68355,"title":"Three Guys Named Mike","year":"1951","character":"Kathy Hunter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/three-guys-named-mike","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68355.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68355.jpg"},"released":1}
1951
{"id":103834779,"title":"The Philco Television Playhouse","year":1951,"character":"Dolly","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-philco-television-playhouse","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103834779.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103834779.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":82794,"title":"Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone","year":"1950","character":"Kay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/mrs-omalley-and-mr-malone-1950","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82794.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82794.jpg"},"released":1}
1950
{"id":68833,"title":"Two Weeks with Love","year":"1950","character":"Valerie Stresemann","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/two-weeks-with-love","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68833.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68833.jpg"},"released":1}
Two Weeks with Love
Two Weeks with Love as Valerie Stresemann
{"id":68774,"title":"A Life of Her Own","year":"1950","character":"Jerry","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-life-of-her-own","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68774.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68774.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":68733,"title":"Our Very Own","year":"1950","character":"Zaza","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/our-very-own-1950","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68733.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68733.jpg"},"released":1}