Elizabeth Kerr Explained

Elizabeth Kerr
Birth Date:15 August 1912
Birth Place:Kansas City, Missouri, US
Occupation:Actor

Elizabeth Kerr (August 15, 1912  - January 13, 2000) was an American actress, theatre producer and director, perhaps best known for playing Cora Hudson in Mork & Mindy.

Early years

Kerr was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of John and Anna Kerr. She attended Northwestern University and the University of Kansas. As a girl, she dreamed of being an actress, but family responsibilities prevented her from doing so until she was a grandmother. After she married, she wrote reviews of books and plays for the newspaper that she and her husband owned. She also read book reviews at meetings of women's clubs, which she said helped to prepare her for acting.[1]

Career

Kerr's acting career began at the Pasadena Playhouse. She was selected for a role there after her first audition, and in two years she became a professional.[2]

Kerr's Broadway debut came in Angel in the Pawnshop (1951).[3] Her other Broadway credits included The Conquering Hero (1961), Redhead (1959), and The Righteous Are Bold (1955).[4] She also made national tours of a similar number of plays, besides performing in regional theatrical productions.

On television, Kerr played Mother Elliott in The Betty White Show,[5] and Cora Hudson in Mork & Mindy.

Kerr also produced plays. She founded the Glendale Civic Theater in 1947[6] and launched the Resident Theater in North Hollywood in 1952.[7] She also directed at the Resident Theater.[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: Even Mork respects Elizabeth Kerr . 21 April 2019 . . Newark, Ohio . Copley News Service . August 4, 1979 . 13 . Newspapers.com.
  2. News: Harper . Hilliard . Elizabeth Kerr: The Stage Was Her School . 21 April 2019 . . August 17, 1983 . Part II 7 . Newspapers.com.
  3. News: Grandma Reaches Broadway Via Dishes and Poetry Route . 21 April 2019 . . March 18, 1951 . 31 . Newspapers.com.
  4. Web site: Elizabeth Kerr . Internet Broadway Database . 21 April 2019 . https://archive.today/20190421014839/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/elizabeth-kerr-101867 . 21 April 2019.
  5. Book: Terrace . Vincent . Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 . January 10, 2014 . McFarland . Jefferson, N.C. . 978-0-7864-8641-0 . 94 . 2nd.
  6. News: 'Mork and Mindy' Star to Visit . 21 April 2019 . Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Chieftain . August 9, 1979 . 2 . Newspapers.com.
  7. News: Plays Will Be Showcased in Valley Theater . 21 April 2019 . The Los Angeles Times . November 9, 1952 . Part IV - 10 . Newspapers.com.
  8. News: von Blon . Katherine . Whimsical Comedy Entertaining Fare . 27 October 2021 . Los Angeles Times . October 27, 1953 . Part III - 9 . Newspapers.com.