Kay Johnson
Catherine Townsend Johnson (November 29, 1904 – November 17, 1975) was an American stage and film actress. Family. Johnson was born in Mount Vernon, New York. Her father was architect Thomas R. Johnson, who worked in the firm of Cass Gilbert, the architect of several noteworthy buildings in New York City, including the Woolworth Building, the New York Customs House, and many library buildings. When she was a junior, she dropped out of Grew Seminary to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Career. Stage. Johnson's professional acting debut was in "Beggar on Horseback", and she acted  in "R.U.R." in Chicago. She moved to California after appearing in "The Little Accident" in Providence, Rhode Island. She was accompanied by her soon-to-be husband John Cromwell, who worked as a director in Hollywood. Johnson's Broadway credits included "State of the Union" (1945), "A Free Soul" (1928), "Crime" (1927), "No Trespassing" (1926), "One of the Family" (1925), "All Dressed Up" (1925), "The Morning After" (1925), "Beggar on Horseback" (1925), "Beggar on Horseback" (1924), and "Go West, Young Man" (1923). Films. Johnson was signed to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by Cecil B. DeMille following a performance  of "The Silver Cord" at the Repertory Theater in Los Angeles, California. The play was produced by Simeon Gest of the Figueroa Playhouse. Her film debut came in "Dynamite" (1929), written by Jeanie Macpherson and featuring Charles Bickford and Conrad Nagel. Production was delayed while Johnson recovered from an appendectomy. She went on to appear in "The Ship from Shanghai" (1930), "This Mad World" (1930), "Billy the Kid" (1930), "The Spoilers" (1930) with Gary Cooper and Betty Compson, DeMille's "Madam Satan" (1930), "Passion Flower" (1930), Capra's "American Madness" (1932), "Thirteen Women" (1932), "Of Human Bondage" (which starred Leslie  Howard and Bette Davis), "Jalna" (1935) and "Mr. Lucky" (1943). Johnson was cast opposite Warner Baxter in a screen adaptation of "Such Men Are Dangerous" by Elinor Glyn. The story was adapted to the screen by Fox Film. Johnson's final film appearance was in the 1954 British film "Jivaro" (also known as "Lost Treasure of the Amazon"). Personal life and death. Johnson married actor, director, and producer John Cromwell, and they had a son, actor James Cromwell. Johnson and Cromwell divorced. On November 17, 1975, Johnson died from a heart attack at her home in Waterford, Connecticut. Kay Johnson