Did you know she was from Kansas City? 10 legendary women who shaped film and TV
Many iconic actresses, such as Ginger Rogers, Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, Betty Lynn, Dee Wallace, and Ellie Kemper, are instantly recognizable for their contributions to film and television. What many might not realize is that they all have ties to the Kansas City area.
From Kansas City, Ginger Rogers and Jean Harlow became Hollywood legends, with Rogers winning an Academy Award and Harlow shaping the image of the “Blonde Bombshell.” Joan Crawford, though born in Texas, spent part of her childhood in Kansas City, where her entertainment ambitions began. Betty Lynn, best known as Thelma Lou on “The Andy Griffith Show,” also hails from Kansas City.
Dee Wallace, famous for her role in “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” and Ellie Kemper, known for “The Office” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” both grew up in the area as well. Even Lori Saunders, remembered for her role in “Petticoat Junction,” has Kansas City roots.
These actresses prove that Kansas City has played an influential role in shaping the entertainment industry, with many of these women starting their careers in the heart of the Midwest before achieving Hollywood stardom.
Now, let’s take a closer look at 10 actresses from Kansas City.
Barbara Lawrence: “Oklahoma!”
Barbara Jo Lawrence was born February 24, 1930, in Carnegie, Oklahoma, and she moved to Kansas City as a teenager where she began modeling before transitioning to film.
Her Hollywood debut came in Billy Rose’s “Diamond Horseshoe” followed by her standout role in “Margie.” She appeared in notable 20th Century Fox films like “A Letter to Three Wives” and “Thieves’ Highway” and later starred in “Oklahoma!” as Gertie Cummings. Other credits include “Arena” and “Kronos.”
After retiring from acting, Barbara became a successful real estate agent. Married three times, she had four children. She was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1960. Barbara passed away in Los Angeles in 2013 at age 83.
Betty Lynn: “The Andy Griffith Show”
Betty Lynn, born August 29, 1926, and best known as Thelma Lou on “The Andy Griffith Show,” was born and raised in Kansas City. The only child of Elizabeth Ann and George A. Dailey, a civil engineer, Betty discovered her passion for performing early in life.
While she enjoyed success on stage and in films, it was her role as Barney Fife’s (Don Knotts) devoted girlfriend on “The Andy Griffith Show” that made her a household name. Her portrayal of Thelma Lou remains a cherished part of television history.
Though she never married, Betty stayed connected with her fans, making regular appearances at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, North Carolina, where she lived in her later years. She passed away there in 2021 at the age of 95.
Dee Wallace: “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”
Dee Wallace, born December 14, 1948, in Kansas City, Kansas, is an actress best known for her role as Mary Taylor in the blockbuster “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.”
Raised by her mother, Maxine, a community theater actress, Dee found early inspiration in acting.
After earning an education degree from the University of Kansas and briefly teaching drama, Dee pursued acting full-time.
She gained recognition in the horror genre with “The Hills Have Eyes,” “The Howling” and “Cujo” often acting alongside her husband, Christopher Stone, who passed away suddenly in 1995.
Edie McClurg: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
Edie McClurg, retired actress and comedian from Kansas City, was known for her sharp comedic timing and gained fame through supporting roles in iconic films like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” and “Carrie.” She was born July 23, 1945.
Born to Mac, a mailman, and Irene McClurg, an FAA secretary, Edie attended Catholic schools in Kansas City before earning her BA from the University of Missouri–Kansas City in 1967. She later earned a master’s degree from Syracuse University in 1970. Her early career included work as a DJ, newswoman, and producer at NPR affiliate KCUR-FM.
With a career spanning decades, Edie appeared in beloved films such as “Mr. Mom,” ,“Flubber” and “A River Runs Through It.”
Ellie Kemper: “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 2, 1980, Ellie Kemper is an actress best known for her roles as Erin Hannon on “The Office” and Kimmy Schmidt in “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” She has also appeared in notable films such as “Bridesmaids”, “21 Jump Street”, “Sex Tape,” and “Home Sweet Home Alone.”
Gillian Flynn: “Gone Girl”
Gillian Flynn, born February 24, 1971, in Kansas City, is an author, screenwriter, and producer, best known for her critically acclaimed thriller and mystery novels “Sharp Objects,” “Dark Places” and “Gone Girl.” Her works have been translated into 40 languages, and by 2016 “Gone Girl” had sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
Ginger Rogers: “Kitty Foyle”
Ginger Rogers was born on July 16, 1911, in Independence. She was an actress, dancer, and singer, best known for her iconic partnership with Fred Astaire in RKO musical films during the 1930s. Rogers won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Kitty Foyle.”
Throughout her career, Rogers worked in stage, film, radio, and television, becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars during its Golden Age. She was the only child of Lela Owens, a newspaper reporter, and William McMath, an electrical engineer.
Although Rogers married five times, she never had children. In 1994, Independence designated her birthplace as a historic landmark. Rogers passed away on April 25, 1995, at age 83 in Rancho Mirage, California.
Jean Harlow: “Blonde Bombshell”
Jean Harlow, born on March 3, 1911, in Kansas City, was one of the most iconic figures of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Known for her platinum blonde hair, she became the leading sex symbol of the early 1930s. Harlow was often referred to as the “Blonde Bombshell” and “Laughing Vamp” for her portrayal of sultry, provocative characters.
Harlow was the daughter of Mont Clair Carpenter, a dentist, and Jean Poe Harlow, the daughter of a wealthy real estate broker.
Harlow’s career began when she was signed by Howard Hughes, who cast her in “Hell’s Angels.” After struggling in a few films, she was brought to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1932, where she starred in a string of hits such as “Red-Headed Woman,” “Red Dust” and “Dinner at Eight” (1933).
Sadly, Harlow died of kidney failure on June 7, 1937, at the age of 26, while filming “Saratoga.” MGM completed the film using body doubles, and it became the highest-grossing film of 1937, as well as the most successful of Harlow’s career.
Joan Crawford: “Mildred Pierce”
Joan Crawford was known for her powerful performances in Hollywood’s Golden Age. Born in San Antonio, Texas, Crawford spent part of her childhood in Kansas City, after her family moved there in 1917. She attended St. Agnes Academy, working as a student in exchange for her education, and later went to Rockingham Academy. During her time in Kansas City, Crawford began to nurture her ambitions in entertainment.
Crawford’s career took off in the 1920s when she signed with MGM. By the 1930s, she became a top star, known for her roles in rags-to-riches stories. However, after a decline in the late 1930s, she made a successful comeback in 1945 with “Mildred Pierce,” which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Crawford’s personal life was marked by four marriages and five adopted children, with strained relationships with her older children. She became involved with Pepsi-Cola after marrying the company’s president, Alfred Steele. After his death, she served on the board of directors until retiring in 1973. Crawford died in 1977 at the age of 69.
Lori Saunders: “Petticoat Junction”
Lori Saunders born October 4, 1941, in Kansas City, is best known for her role as Bobbie Jo Bradley on the popular TV series “Petticoat Junction” appearing in 147 episodes. In addition to “Petticoat Junction,” Saunders made appearances in “Green Acres” and “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
Beyond acting, Saunders had a brief music career in the 1960s, releasing the single “Lonely Christmas” and performing with her co-stars as “The Girls from Petticoat Junction.”
This story was originally published December 24, 2024 at 1:54 PM.
