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. Hamilton's early film credits included the 1959 film noir Odds Against Tomorrow opposite Harry Belafonte and The Leech Woman in 1960. 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.
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.
Early life and career Hamilton was born in Los Angeles, California and, as a young woman, initially wanted to work as a model. However, she said she could not find work in the fashion industry, owing to her short stature and race. Instead, prompted by an advertisement in the Los Angeles Times, she enrolled in acting classes and enlisted the services of an agent. Hamilton made her professional acting debut in the 1950s television sitcom Amos 'n' Andy, playing the girlfriend of Andy (Spencer Williams) in several episodes.
She briefly moved to London to pursue acting there. 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 a work permit, a practice commonly used against American actors at the time.
Hamilton appeared in more than 60 television series and television films throughout her career. In 1960, she guest-starred in an episode of The Twilight Zone titled "The Big Tall Wish." In 1963 and 1964, she played a high-school librarian on two episodes of the popular series My Three Sons. She was also one of the first black actresses to appear on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. She made numerous guest appearances on popular television shows, including Adam-12, The Thin Man, General Hospital, Sanford and Son, Good Times, The Jeffersons, In the Heat of the Night, All In The Family, and Law & Order. She portrayed 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 works, she was credited as Kim Rousseau.
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. Hamilton's honor was part of series of Columbia University's Big Read program, which focused on To Kill a Mockingbird through guest lectures, productions, and panel discussions.
Personal life and death Kim Hamilton was married twice. Her first marriage, at age 18, was to Robert Henry Hamilton in 1951. They had two children and divorced ten years later. Her son Robert predeceased her.. She then dated German-born actor Werner Klemperer for more than two decades before they married in 1997. They remained together until Klemperer's death on December 6, 2000.
In her later years, Hamilton divided her time between her home in Manhattan and her other residence in her hometown of Los Angeles. In 2013, four days after her 81st birthday, she died of undisclosed causes while in Los Angeles.
Filmography
Films Year Title Role Notes 1957 Something of Value Kipi's Wife Uncredited 1959 Odds Against Tomorrow Ruth Ingram 1960 Young Malla 1961 Teegra, Yasmin's Servant Uncredited 1962 A Public Affair Mrs. Hendrickson 1962 To Kill a Mockingbird Helen Robinson, Tom's Wife Uncredited 1966 Nurse 1971 Kotch Emma Daly 1973 Heavy Traffic Voice 1981 Body and Soul Mrs. Johnson
Television Year Title Role Notes1955Damon Runyon TheaterSeason 1 Episode 5: "Numbers and Figures"1955CharmaineSeason 4 Episode 8: "Kingfish Teaches Andy to Fly"1957General Electric TheaterMirandaSeason 6 Episode 1: "The Questioning Note"1958EmmelineSeason 1 Episode 37: "The Screaming Doll" 1960 Frances Season 1 Episode 27: "The Big Tall Wish"1961WhiplashMartin WatlingSeason 1 Episode 15: "The Remittance Man"196187th PrecinctFirst SunbatherSeason 1 Episode 1: "The Floater"1962Sally Wick2 episodes1962CheckmateMiss Williams (Mrs. in credits)Season 2 Episode 24: "Trial by Midnight"1962Alfred Hitchcock Presents The Maid Season 7 Episode 36: "First Class Honeymoon"1962Stoney BurkeBeth Ann SutterSeason 1 Episode 5: "The Mob Riders"1962–1963Ben CaseyDorothy Garrison / Jane Demarest2 episodes 1963 77 Sunset Strip Letha Season 6 Episode 6: "White Lie" 1963Leave it to Beaver The Maid Season 6 Episode 17: "The Parking Attendants"1963–1964My Three SonsLibrarian 2 episodes1965Dr. KildareNurse HammondSeason 5 Episode 1: "Behold the Great Man"1966Daniel BooneNaomiSeason 3 Episode 8: "Onatha"1967Me and BenjyVivianTV Movie1967InsightBarbara Walton / Diane2 episodes 1967–1974 Mannix Alice Bradley / Hallie Woods / Diana Lee 3 episodes1968General HospitalDr. Tracy AdamsEpisode 1412: "Episode #1.1412"1968–1982Days of Our LivesNurse West / Miss Jenkins / Nurse Leona / Penelope Wade7 episodes 1969–1972 Delores Sutton / Mildred Jameson 2 episodes1971Here's LucyJane the Office ManagerSeason 4 Episode 1: "Lucy and Flip Go Legit"1971Season 1 Episode 10: "Run for Daylight" 1972–1975 Sanford and Son Carol Davis / Grace 2 episodes1973Police StoryHarriet ParsonsSeason 1 Episode 0: "Slow Boy" 1973 Adam-12 Mrs. Hardy / Mrs. Anderson 2 episodes1973–1974Duty Nurse / Irene2 episodes1974ShaftMarcia TylerSeason 1 Episode 5: "Shaft and the Cop Killer" 1974 Kojak Sergeant Donna Mill Season 2 Episode 3: "Hush Now, Don't You Die" 1974 All in the Family Mrs. Helen Willis Season 4 Episode 20: "Lionel's Engagement"1974Chopper OneNurseSeason 1 Episode 10: "Deadly Carrier"1974MoochNurseTV Movie1974That's My MamaMelvinaSeason 1 Episode 5: "Clifton's Sugar Mama"1975Emergency!Estelle Lee DickensSeason 5 Episode 2: "The Old Engine Cram" 1975 Good Times Betty Edwards Season 3 Episode 5: "Florida's Rich Cousin"1975Marcus Welby, M.D.Elsbeth Byars / Velma Stokes2 episodes1975BronkHannahSeason 1 Episode 12: "Deception"1977Future CopJune BundySeason 1 Episode 4: "Carlisle Girl"1977Marge Franklin / Nurse (voice)TV Movie1978Project U.F.O.Diane ArmstrongSeason 1 Episode 3: "Sighting 4003: The Fremont Incident"1978Doctors' Private LivesKittyTV Movie1978A Family Upside DownPaulaTV Movie1978Lady of the HouseMaryTV Movie1978Vega$ErnieSeason 1 Episode 9: "Lost Women"1978–1979Tarzan and the Super 7Microwoman / Christy Cross / Mother Plant (voice)33 episodes1979StoneCarla BrownTV Movie1979StoneCarla BrownSeason 1 Episode 0: "Pilot"1979Carol SimpsonSeason 2 Episode 5: "A Silent Cheer"1980Quincy M.E.Mrs. HesterSeason 5 Episode 19: "T.K.O."1981SanfordAdmitting ClerkSeason 2 Episode 3: "Fred Has the Big One"1981Buck Rogers in the 25th CenturyNurse PaultonSeason 2 Episode 4: "Mark of the Saurian" 1983 Pauline Season 9 Episode 14: "My Maid... My Wife"1983ABC Weekend SpecialMrs. StoweSeason 6 Episode 4: "All the Money in the World"1983–1984Matt HoustonJudge / Nathaniel's Mother2 episodes1984St. ElsewhereJudge Dr. Linda PurcellSeason 2 Episode 12: "Hearing"1984Paper DollsEleanor4 episodes 1984 Guiding Light Victoria Tamerlaine Spaulding Episode dated December 31984RiptideMrs. CollinsSeason 2 Episode 8: "It's a Vial Sort of Business"1985Gimme a Break!DellaSeason 4 Episode 18: "Alabamy Bound: Part 2" 1985 Alice Mrs. Reynolds Season 9 Episode 15: "Vera's Grounded Gumshoe"1986Simon & SimonNurse Elsa JelkesSeason 6 Episode 12: "Tonsillitis"1987Designing WomenAnnabelleSeason 2 Episode 3: "Anthony Jr."1990Star Trek: The Next GenerationSongiSeason 4 Episode 9: "Final Mission" 1991–1994 In the Heat of the Night Mrs. Johnson / Ellen Shore 2 episodes1992–1996Law & OrderJudge Vivian Jackson / Marcella Klein2 episodes1993Trade WindsMadame DeGaulleMiniseries3 episodes1996Rosine ChalmersSeason 1 Episode 20: "Past Imperfect"2002GirlfriendsMother Dent (voice)Season 2 Episode 14: "Willie or Won't He II: The Last Chapter?"2002Supreme Court JusticeSeason 7 Episode 2: "Convictions" 2008 Private Practice Frances Season 2 Episode 6: "Serving Two Masters"
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