Celia Kaye
 | This article needs to be updated. (April 2022) |
Celia Kaye | |
|---|---|
 Senior yearbook photo | |
| Born | Celia Kay Burkholder February 24, 1942 |
| Other names | Celia Milius |
| Years active | 1962–2015 |
| Spouse | John Milius (1978–?) |
Celia Kaye (born Celia Kay Burkholder; February 24, 1942) is an American actress.[1][2] She is most famous for her starring role in the 1964 film adaptation of Island of the Blue Dolphins which won her a Golden Globe award.[3]
Early life
Kaye is of German and Cherokee ancestry and was born in Carthage, Missouri to chemical engineer John W. Burkholder and his wife, Kathryn, who ran a private preschool. When she was one year old her family moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where her younger brother Johnny was born. She is a graduate of Henry C. Conrad High School (now Conrad Schools of Science) as well as Philadelphia Modeling and Charm School.[2]
Career
In 1959 Kaye moved to California, where she won a scholarship to the Pasadena Playhouse, graduating in 1961. She soon moved from the stage to television with a major role in the sitcom The New Loretta Young Show. Her role on this show, as Loretta Young's daughter, Marnie, almost didn't happen as the role was originally cast with Portland Mason who was later fired.[4] While working on the show she continued her education, attending Los Angeles City College at night and studying modern jazz at Eugene Loring's American School of Dance. She became a movie star when she landed the lead role in the 1964 movie Island of the Blue Dolphins.[2][5]
There were originally 1,500 applicants for the role of Karana which Kaye ultimately was chosen for. Although her Cherokee heritage wasn't known by the producer at the time she was cast, the press for the movie played it up, drawing attention to the fact that she looked "like an Indian with her dark hair and skin".[6][7] Following the release of the film, she was awarded the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer in 1965, alongside Mia Farrow and Mary Ann Mobley.[8]
She continued to have smaller roles for a number of years, including being a look-alike extra for Merle Oberon on The Day of The Locust.[5]
Personal life
Kaye married director John Milius on February 26, 1978. They later divorced after having one child together but remain friends.[9]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Tales of Wells Fargo | Julie Trenton | ep. The Traveler |
| 1962 | The New Loretta Young Show | Marnie Massey | 26 episodes |
| 1963 | The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet | Celia / Pledge | 1 ep. each |
| 1964 | Wagon Train | Ann Shelby | ep. The Clay Shelby Story |
| 1967 | The Green Hornet | Melissa Neal | 2 eps |
| 1967 | The Iron Horse | Emily | ep. Decision at Sundown |
| 1967 | Insight | Jenny | ep. All the Little Plumes in Pain |
| 1970 | The Young Lawyers | Helen | ep. Where's Aaron |
| 1973 | Adam's Rib | Francis | ep. Illegal Aid |
| 1973 | Don't Be Afraid of the Dark | Anne | TV Movie |
| 1974 | Little House on the Prairie | Willa Sweeney | ep. 100 Mile Walk |
| 2015 | Class | Rose | TV Movie, credited as Celia Milius |
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Island of the Blue Dolphins | Karana | Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress |
| 1965 | Wild Seed | Daphne | |
| 1965 | Fluffy | Sally Brighton | |
| 1972 | The Final Comedown | Rene Freeman | |
| 1976 | Rattlers | Woman in Bathtub | |
| 1978 | Big Wednesday | Bride of the Bear | |
| 1988 | Vampire at Midnight | Sandra |
References
- ^ "1959 Conradian Yearbook" (PDF). 1959. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Young Celia Kaye Promising Actress". Lewiston Evening Journal. April 13, 1963. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ^ Vernon Scott (February 9, 1965). "Julie Andrews Honored; 'Fair Lady' Feud Ends". Deseret News. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ^ Mason v. Lyl Productions (Supreme Court of California 1968-07-26), Text.
- ^ a b Tom Buckley (June 2, 1974). "'The Day of the Locust': Hollywood, by West, by Hollywood". New York Times. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ^ "Boys' Life". Boy Scouts of America, Inc. July 1964. p. 14. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- ^ O'Dell, Scott; Schwebel, Sara L. (4 October 2016). "Island of the Blue Dolphins: The Complete Reader's Edition". Univ of California Press. pp. 61, 77. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- ^ "Winners & Nominees 1965". The Golden Globes. Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
- ^ "Amanda Milius". Independent Women's Forum. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
External links
- Celia Kaye at IMDb
- Celia Kaye at the TCM Movie Database
- Celia Kaye Tribute to Loretta Young
- An Interview with Celia Kaye, Actress Who Played Karana
 | This article about an American actor is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |