---
name: "Kim Hunter"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/kim-hunter"
fi1m_id: "kim-hunter"
imdb_id: "nm0001375"
tmdb_id: 10539
wikidata_id: "Q59824"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "12 November 1922"
died: "11 September 2002"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-09-25T03:21:33.581935+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Kim Hunter

## Identity

Kim Hunter

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/kim-hunter
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** kim-hunter
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001375
- **TMDB ID:** 10539
- **Wikidata ID:** Q59824
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Hunter, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59824, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001375/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10539

Actor. Born 12 November 1922 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Died 11 September 2002.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 12 November 1922, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- **Died:** 11 September 2002
- **Active:** 1943–1971
- **Also known as:** Janet Cole
- **Frequently works with:** [Arthur P. Jacobs](https://film.one/person/arthur-p-jacobs.md), [Charlton Heston](https://film.one/person/charlton-heston.md), [Maurice Evans](https://film.one/person/maurice-evans.md), [Paul Dehn](https://film.one/person/paul-dehn.md), [Roddy McDowall](https://film.one/person/roddy-mcdowall.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1940s 77 (2), 1950s 88 (1), 1960s 83 (2), 1970s 64 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 75 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 4 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Science Fiction 3, Action 2, Adventure 2, Mystery 2, Action & Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $74m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Hunter, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59824, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001375/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10539

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*A Streetcar Named Desire*](https://film.one/film/a-streetcar-named-desire.md) (88)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Kim Hunter

> Kim Hunter makes affection convincing in films that give us plenty else to look at. We prize her emotional directness, particularly in *A Matter of Life and Death*, where June keeps the romance from becoming an excuse for elaborate scenery.

In *A Matter of Life and Death* (1946), Kim Hunter’s June is direct enough to make David Niven’s courteous Peter Carter seem someone she might actually choose. We believe her attachment before we have finished sorting out the fantasy. We were moved by the plainness of that affection: she makes the romance worth caring about even when there is so much scenery to admire. Hunter is particularly good at making an emotion clear within a performance that remains deliberately theatrical.

Her first film was the Val Lewton production *The Seventh Victim* (1943), in which she played Mary Gibson. She first played Stella Kowalski on Broadway in 1947, returning to the role opposite Marlon Brando in *A Streetcar Named Desire* (1951). Stella’s devotion, and the competing loyalties it brings, gave Hunter more difficult feelings to make intelligible. Her emotionally grounded work there is a useful corrective to any idea that the clarity of June meant she could only play uncomplicated affection.

Powell and Pressburger make room for Hunter within a warmly played ensemble in *A Matter of Life and Death*. Niven uses courtesy to manage Peter’s fear, and Roger Livesey gives Doctor Reeves a reassuring warmth; June’s directness matters alongside these more comforting manners. The speeches can labour their point, but the performances keep us interested in the people rather than waiting for the next effect.

Her later return to prominence came with Dr Zira, the sympathetic chimpanzee psychiatrist of *Planet of the Apes* (1968), a role she played in two sequels. The restrictive make-up put considerable weight on her voice, yet intelligence and warmth still come through. This apparently unlikely role makes sense beside June and Stella: Hunter gives us someone whose feelings we can understand, however unfamiliar the circumstances or the face. Start with *A Matter of Life and Death*.

## Biography

Kim Hunter, also credited as Janet Cole, was an American actress of stage, film and television. Born in Detroit, Michigan, she made her screen debut in 1943 and had her first starring role as June opposite David Niven in the British fantasy film *A Matter of Life and Death* (1946).

She created the role of Stella Kowalski in the original 1947 Broadway production of Tennessee Williams's *A Streetcar Named Desire* and reprised it in the 1951 film adaptation, winning the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. Hunter is also known for playing the chimpanzee psychiatrist Dr Zira in *Planet of the Apes* (1968) and its two sequels. She studied at the Actors Studio and received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Escape from the Planet of the Apes* (1971), Fi1m 77, as Dr. Zira — [page](https://film.one/film/escape-from-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Beneath the Planet of the Apes* (1970), Fi1m 50, as Zira — [page](https://film.one/film/beneath-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Planet of the Apes* (1968), Fi1m 84, as Zira — [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Mission: Impossible* (1966), Fi1m 82, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md)
- *A Streetcar Named Desire* (1951), Fi1m 88, as Stella Kowalski — [page](https://film.one/film/a-streetcar-named-desire.md)
- *A Matter of Life and Death* (1946), Fi1m 92, as June — [page](https://film.one/film/a-matter-of-life-and-death.md)
- *The Seventh Victim* (1943), Fi1m 62, as Mary Gibson — [page](https://film.one/film/the-seventh-victim.md)

## Complete filmography (95)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger* (2024), as (archive footage)
- *The Hiding Place* (2000), as Muriel
- *Out of the Cold* (1999), as Elsa Lindepu
- *Blue Moon* (1999), as Sheila Keating
- *Abilene* (1999), as Emmeline Brown
- *A Price Above Rubies* (1998), as Rebbitzn
- *Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil* (1997), as Betty Harty
- *Triumph Over Disaster: The Hurricane Andrew Story* (1993), as Elsa Rael
- *Bloodlines: Murder in the Family* (1993), as Vera Woodman
- *Mad About You* (1992), series, as Millie Barton
- *Two Evil Eyes* (1990), as Gloria Pym
- *Cross of Fire* (1989), series, as Mrs. Oberholtzer
- *Drop-Out Mother* (1988), as Leona
- *The Kindred* (1987), as Amanda Hollins
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Natalie Schoen
- *Three Sovereigns for Sarah* (1985), as Mary Easty
- *Private Sessions* (1985), as Rosemary O'Reilly
- *Three Sovereigns for Sarah* (1985), series, as Mary Easty
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Beatrice Vitello
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Mary Easty
- *Skokie* (1981), as Bertha Feldman
- *F.D.R.: The Last Year* (1980), as Lucy Rutherford
- *The Golden Gate Murders* (1979), as Sister Superior
- *Backstairs at the White House* (1979), series, as Ellen Wilson
- *Stubby Pringle's Christmas* (1978), as Mrs. Harper
- *The Case of the Baltimore Girls* (1978), as Dr. Martha Reed
- *The Oregon Trail* (1977), series, Actor
- *Once an Eagle* (1976), series, as Kitty Damon
- *Dark August* (1976), as Adrianna Putnam
- *The Dark Side of Innocence* (1976), as Kathleen Hancock
- *Born Innocent* (1976), as Mrs. Parker
- *The Impersonation Murder Case* (1975), as Fern
- *Ellery Queen: Too Many Suspects* (1975), as Marion McKell
- *Bad Ronald* (1974), as Elaine Wilby
- *The Rockford Files* (1974), series, as Mrs. Brockelman — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-rockford-files.md)
- *Unwed Father* (1974), as Judy Simmons
- *The Evil Touch* (1973), series, Actor
- *Police Story* (1973), series, Actor
- *The Magician* (1973), as Nora Coogan
- *Columbo* (1971), series, as Edna Matthews — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md)
- *Cannon* (1971), series, Actor
- *Escape from the Planet of the Apes* (1971), as Dr. Zira — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/escape-from-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *In Search of America* (1971), as Cora Chandler
- *Night Gallery* (1970), series, Actor
- *Beneath the Planet of the Apes* (1970), as Zira — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/beneath-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Dial Hot Line* (1970), as Mrs. Edith Carruthers
- *Medical Center* (1969), series, Actor
- *The Swimmer* (1968), as Betty Graham
- *The Young Loner* (1968), as Freda Williams
- *Planet of the Apes* (1968), as Zira — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Mannix* (1967), series, as Louise Dubrio
- *Ironside* (1967), series, as Athena Champion
- *CBS Playhouse* (1966), series, as Gerrie Mason
- *Mission: Impossible* (1966), series, Actor — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md)
- *Lilith* (1964), as Dr. Bea Brice
- *Breaking Point* (1963), series, Actor
- *Arrest and Trial* (1963), series, as Geraldine Weston Saunders
- *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1962), series, as Adelaide Winters
- *Dr. Kildare* (1961), series, as Emily Field
- *The Defenders* (1961), series, as Eileen Rolf
- *Give Us Barabbas!* (1961), as Mara
- *Special for Women* (1960), series, as Leora Davis
- *Playhouse 90: The Hiding Place* (1960), as Maria
- *Adventures in Paradise* (1959), series, as Vanessa Sutton Charles
- *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Ada Halle
- *Money, Women and Guns* (1958), as Mary Johnston Kingman
- *Naked City* (1958), series, as Edna Daggett
- *The Dark Side of the Earth* (1957), as Anna Rojas
- *The Comedian* (1957), as Julie Hogarth
- *The Young Stranger* (1957), as Helen Ditmar
- *Requiem for a Heavyweight* (1956), as Grace Carney
- *Playhouse 90* (1956), series, as Grace Carney, Julie Hogarth, Helen Bragg
- *Storm Center* (1956), as Martha Lockridge
- *Bermuda Affair* (1956), as Fran West
- *The Edge of Night* (1956), series, Actor
- *A Midsummer Daydream* (1955), as Elizabeth
- *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Bea Colter
- *Climax!* (1954), series, as Barbara Williams, Lynn Griffith, Ann Brewster
- *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Mary Murphy, Hilda, Edie Gauman
- *Deadline - U.S.A.* (1952), as Nora Hutcheson
- *Anything Can Happen* (1952), as Helen Watson
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Mara, Mrs. Harper, Polissena/Maria Celeste
- *A Streetcar Named Desire* (1951), as Stella Kowalski — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/a-streetcar-named-desire.md)
- *Lux Video Theatre* (1950), series, as Lina
- *Your Show of Shows* (1950), series, Actor
- *Robert Montgomery Presents* (1950), series, Actor
- *Suspense* (1949), series, as Emily
- *Studio One* (1948), series, as Maggie Church
- *The Philco Television Playhouse* (1948), series, Actor
- *A Matter of Life and Death* (1946), as June — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/a-matter-of-life-and-death.md)
- *You Came Along* (1945), as Frances Hotchkiss
- *When Strangers Marry* (1944), as Millie Baxter
- *Tender Comrade* (1944), as Doris Dumbrowski
- *The Seventh Victim* (1943), as Mary Gibson — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-seventh-victim.md)
- *Reconnaissance Pilot* (1943), as Catherine Cummings

## Gallery

- ![Kim Hunter](https://film.one/media/person/59105/gallery-7bb55535e11e.jpg) Kim Hunter — Unknown authorUnknown author, distributed by: Universal-International Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Kim_Hunter_Money%2C_Women_and_Guns_still.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Marius Goring, David Niven, Roger Livesey, Kim Hunter and Robert Coote in a production still for the British film A Matter of Life and Death.](https://film.one/media/person/59105/gallery-2d6d3d71dcac.jpg) Marius Goring, David Niven, Roger Livesey, Kim Hunter and Robert Coote in a production still for the British film A Matter of Life and Death. — Eric Gray, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/A_Matter_of_Life_and_Death_-_Production_still.jpg/1280px-A_Matter_of_Life_and_Death_-_Production_still.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jessica Tandy combing her hair under light bulb covered with Chinese lampshade, with Kim Hunter and Marlon Brando, in a scene from Tennessee Williams' play A St](https://film.one/media/person/59105/gallery-83565cc8d584.jpg) Jessica Tandy combing her hair under light bulb covered with Chinese lampshade, with Kim Hunter and Marlon Brando, in a scene from Tennessee Williams' play A St — Eileen Darby, Graphic House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Jessica_Tandy_with_Kim_Hunter_and_Marlon_Brando._cph.3b23243.II.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Jessica Tandy combing her hair under a light bulb covered with a Chinese lampshade, with Kim Hunter and Marlon Brando, in a scene from Tennessee Williams' play ](https://film.one/media/person/59105/gallery-d207c986abfa.jpg) Jessica Tandy combing her hair under a light bulb covered with a Chinese lampshade, with Kim Hunter and Marlon Brando, in a scene from Tennessee Williams' play  — Eileen Darby, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Jessica_Tandy_with_Kim_Hunter_and_Marlon_Brando._cph.3b23243.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Kim Hunter](https://film.one/media/person/59105/gallery-1489024f8b73.jpg) Kim Hunter — Image via TMDB
- ![Kim Hunter](https://film.one/media/person/59105/gallery-092de4d492fe.jpg) Kim Hunter — Image via TMDB
- ![Kim Hunter](https://film.one/media/person/59105/gallery-5371e1883439.jpg) Kim Hunter — Image via TMDB
- ![This vintage press photo from Universal for the film, A Matter of Life and Death (1946) (a.k.a. Stairway to Heaven) featuring future Oscar-winning actress Kim H (1947)](https://film.one/media/person/59105/gallery-bfbb6c8f5822.jpg) This vintage press photo from Universal for the film, A Matter of Life and Death (1946) (a.k.a. Stairway to Heaven) featuring future Oscar-winning actress Kim H (1947) — Universal Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/Kim_Hunter_%281947%29_A_Matter_of_Life_and_Death_%28front-full%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won

- 1952: Best Supporting Actress (won), for *A Streetcar Named Desire*

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 1951: Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (won), for *A Streetcar Named Desire*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/kim-hunter