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Phyllis Kirk Obituary
Kirk died of a post cerebral aneurysm at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, said her publicist, Dale Olson.
Born Phyllis Kirkegaard in Plainfield, N.J., she moved to New York City in her late teens to study acting and shortened her last name to Kirk. She appeared in several Broadway plays before moving to Hollywood, where she co-starred with such leading men as Frank Sinatra ("Johnny Concho") and Jerry Lewis ("The Sad Sack").
She gained the most attention for her role in "House of Wax" because it was the first major 3-D movie.
Kirk later worked in television, memorably playing Peter Lawford's wife in the series "The Thin Man." She was also a regular on "The Red Buttons Show" and hosted the ABC talk show "The Young Set."
Her acting career slowed down by the late 1950s and she turned her focus to social causes.
She spoke out against the death sentence of convicted murderer Caryl Chessman, whom police nicknamed the "Red Light Bandit." Kirk visited Chessman several times in prison until he was executed in 1960.
After the 1965 Watts race riots, she helped fund two preschool programs for poor families in the South Los Angeles neighborhood. She later launched a career in public relations.
Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press
63 Entries
John Simon Taylor
November 22, 2024
I just had the pleasure of watching "A world of his own" last night....each time I watch it...it just refreshes my love for Phyllis Kirk. Her persona is lightning on screen...along with her beauty, her timing, her classy fashions, and her hypnotizing, luminous eyes. I would have loved to have seen her in person.....
Maria Ciaccia
June 23, 2020
When I was a child, I wanted to be Nora Charles, as played by the beautiful Phyllis Kirk, more than anything. She was an early inspiration for me to move to New York, wear beautiful clothes, and be as sophisticated and glamorous as she was. Now that I am older, I realize that what really makes her a role model is her incredible social activism.
NORA
September 19, 2018
You were beauty
May 4, 2017
Donald Danard
How you can show support
Minnie Beltran
March 16, 2016
A light for you in heaven.
Minnie Beltran
March 16, 2016
I first saw Phyllis Kirk. She was wonderful in it. I still watch her, in the Thin Man. They are still showing re-runs. She made the characters she played believable. She certainly had a lot of class. I loved her hairdo, in the thin man. May she RIP.
September 18, 2014
Happy Birthday, my pretty. Rest in peace. Miss you
September 5, 2014
Interesting side note, Phyliss dated the noted comedian and satirist Mort Sahl for a while in the late 50's/early 60's....
Patti
September 18, 2013
Happy Birthday Phyllis. You are missed.
Tom Connolly
August 22, 2013
Phyllis was my baby sitter back in the early fifties in Elizabeth,N.j.
Patti
September 18, 2012
Happy Birthday beautiful lady,You are remembered today and always Rest in Peace
Patti
December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas dear lady sleep in heavenly peace.
Patti
December 17, 2011
I just read all of the posts again and it seams everyone agrees that she was an exceptionally beautiful woman. So much so that a song wrighter(Lew Spence) saw her in a resterant,after mustering up his courage, walked up to her and said you are beautiful. He then wrote a song called that face.you can google Fred Astaire and hear the song Mr. Spence wrote for our Phyllis
patti
October 24, 2011
i first saw phyllis kirk on the night that thin man premiered and fifty four years later her hold is still there.she was beautiful sexy and oh so classy. no one can compare.i never had the pleasure to meet her, but some day. rest in peace you are missed patti
patti
September 18, 2011
phyllis kirk is my idol from the first time i saw her her class beauty and talent can never be matched i miss her verry much rip and happy birthday
Kathy Walsh
February 11, 2011
Phyllis had a mother that was a nurse and I met her... she was a wonderful woman and she was my Mother's private nurse when she was in the hospital in 1970'ish. She was a very kind and good nurse and she told us many stories about her daughter and she was very proud of her and loved her.
Daniel Calado
October 19, 2010
Rest in peace, dear Phyllis Kirk.
I really hope wherever you are you'll enjoy the work of art I'm making for you that all your fans will be able to see through youtube coming January or February.
We miss you*
Matthew Schacht
January 17, 2010
I never knew Phyllis Kirk until after she passed. I learned about her today in fact. I was in the kitchen and heard her voice on the radio. She was reading a This I Believe essay, and I had to stop what I was doing to listen. Rarely are words used so meaningfully.
I am sorry that such a person is no longer with us, but I know she must have touched many lives before passing, because two years after her death and in only four minutes, her power is still felt.
My sincerest regards.
Nolee Carole
May 26, 2009
If you want to see a recent picture of Phyllis Kirk, just put her name in Google and one will come up. She aged well.
june dean
January 30, 2009
I pretended to be Nora Charles when I was a preteen. I loved how she looked, tried to copy her hairstyle and be like her. I would get so angry at my younger sister if I thougt she was trying to be like Phyllis Kirk, she was MINE. I miss her so much, have never been affected by any other actress as I did Phyllis kirk. She was more beautiful than any actress today and so much classier.
Big Skinny Brown
January 15, 2009
A fine actress, she made the fifties and sixties a bit more bearable. I hope she has found peace.
Big Skinny Brown
Linda Deane
July 31, 2008
Still looking online for any recent pictures of Phyllis Kirk! She was my all time favorite! After The Thin Man, I lost track of her, and never seem to find any more recent photos of her...maybe her sister, Ms. Megan Flax would be so kind as to put some recent photos online for her fans! I would dearly love to see her in more recent times! Ms. Kirk is still missed by all her fans!
Rhonda Rose
April 17, 2008
The Thin Man was my favorite show as a kid. I thought she was so pretty and chic. I have often searched for that series to buy but no one seems to know how I can purchase it. They always try to tell me I want the later movies with Powell & Loy I have those already but would rather have my favorite.
They just don't make them like Phyllis any more. Too bad. My sincere sympathy to her family and to all of us who cared for her. Her true spirit really shined on my tv screen!
John Taylor
December 3, 2007
It's so good to read these comments and to learn that so many other people besides me were touched by the artistry and warmth of Phyllis Kirk. I never met her, but I agree with another poster that she came off as someone who would be wonderful to have as a friend. I really miss her. Thanks to all who have written.
Ellen Krauss
September 18, 2007
As a baby boomer I grew up watching TV. One of my favorite shows was "The Thin Man." I enjoyed Ms. Kirk's kookie way. I have a VHS copy of "Back From Eternity" which I watched the day she died. Today I remember her on what would have been her 80th birthday.
dennis allen
August 30, 2007
When i was a kid i watched the Thin Man TV series and i was quite smitten with Ms. Kirk. Although, i was only eight years old i thought she was beautiful, smart and chic. Some 5o years later my opinion has not changed.
Pamela Boras
August 29, 2007
I thought of her today and wondered why I had not "Googled" her before today. She was my very favorite actress when I was little. I was saddened to learn that she had gone Home. I read an interview she did and was delighted to find that I would have loved her as a friend. I remember the spread in TV Guide so many years ago and the clothes she modeled in Petite Size 7. God love her.
R F
April 1, 2007
I am indeed saddened to hear of the passing of Ms. Phyllis Kirk, one of the brightest stars in the silver screen and "Golden Age of Television" firmament and one of my personal celebrity favorites. She was in every way an actress' actress--unique, beautiful, charming, talented, intelligent and witty. Although I never met her, and saw her only on screeen and television, she was a wonderful gift for this world.
Her persona enriched the screen in a very unique way.
Sincere condolences to her family and friends
Linda Deane
March 29, 2007
I already signed this once, but just read all the messages again, and decided to write more. I don't think alot of folks knew Phyllis Kirk's work. She was soooo talented and so lovely. My girlfriends and I couldn't wait until Friday nights, to watch The Thin Man, and I saw her in alot of movies too. I'm always searching for TV movies that she was in, so I can purchase them, but never seem to find them available. She was wonderful. Would love to know more about her life and her recent years, and see more recent photos. She really was my idol. My condolences to the family.
Douglas Curphey
March 17, 2007
I was saddened to read that Phyllis Kirk Has passed away.
I have very fond memories of her in about 1957 when she spent a term as a school teacher, for Englaish and drama, particularly the art of mime.
I must add that this was in the North-East of England in the UK,.
It has mystified me that there has been no reference to this aspect of her career, brief though it was.
I remember her talking fondly about colleagues such as Debbie Reynolds and Jane Powell!
Does anyone else know about this period of her life?
Megan Flax
February 26, 2007
On behalf of the family and myself, thank you for your many heartfelt condolances and your memories of her perfomances and her effect on your lives. We miss her very much, but know she is at
peace. Sincerely, Megan Flax, her sister.
Steve Owen
February 22, 2007
To the friends and relatives of Phyllis Kirk....
Please let me express my sadness at hearing that this great lady has left us.
She was a wonderful actress and
a great human being...
RIP
DON HUGGINS
February 20, 2007
JUST WATCHED PHYLLIS TODAY 2/20/07 ON TV IN "OUR VERY OWN". IT IS AN EXCELLANT MOVIE, JUST WISH PHYLLIS'S ROLE COULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE MORE MEATY.. SHE WAS A WONDERFUL ACTRESS, ENJOYED HER IN EVERYTHING I SEEN HER IN...
John Melvin
January 30, 2007
I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Phyllis Kirk. I have adored her since I was a child. Her absolute striking, stunning beauty, her charm, unsurpassed sophistication, poise and incredible ability to pull you in and bring you to your knees has intrigued me relentlessly over the years. To this day I think she is the most beautiful woman who ever walked this earth. My condolence to all.
Linda D
December 14, 2006
As a little girl, I adored Phyllis Kirk. I've spent many hours looking for more recent pictures of her, to no avail. I was so obsessed with her beauty! You all let me know if you see any newer pictures of her....she was my idol!
William Drennan
October 31, 2006
Ah, I am so saddened. As an adolescent, I frankly fixated on Phyllis Kirk, thinking of her as the ideal woman: beautiful, urbane, intelligent, impossibly sophisticated. Lord, receive her into your Kingdom.
The Velasquez Family
October 25, 2006
We have the movie of "The House Of Wax" where she played the lady that Vincent Price the role that he played the mad scientist wanted her to be the wax figure of "Maria Antoinette", she played a very good role.
Patsy Jo Reed Sircy
October 25, 2006
Sympathy to all who loved her!! Very sorry about your loss! PJ - fan and retired nurse
Paula Norris
October 24, 2006
Thank You so much for sharing your wife, mother, relative, PhyllisKirk with us the OriginalBabyboomers (1946 - 1964)...we must have bought our first tv when I was 8 years old (1955), and TheThinMan was my MostFavorite tv show~the handsome PeterLawford and his adorable, pragmatic wife, PhyllisKirk (Nick and Nora Charles, I believe ?) and the cutest little dog, Asta...I am still an ardent collector of memoralbilia, memories and such of the time period and will forever remember the tv series..
Rosalie
October 24, 2006
I was a little girl in Brooklyn watching The Thin Man and so much wanted to have her Cheek Bones. I remember dreaming that some day I would look like her. Such a classy gal.
Carol Dell-Grant
October 24, 2006
To the Kirk Family
Thank you for sharing Ms. Kirk on the screen and for social causes. Not many people in her status would even care but she did.
You are beautiful!
Norma Lynn Blackshear
October 24, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
M Daniel
October 23, 2006
Rest In Peace.Pretty Lady
Judy Kloe
October 23, 2006
As a long time fan of Phyllis Kirk, my personal favorite is The Thin Man. Peace to her family and friends. Through her work she will always remain in our hearts.
GLORIA MARTINEZ
October 23, 2006
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Betsy Gurney
October 23, 2006
One of my earliest recollection of television was watching "The Thin Man". My parents would allow me to stay up late so I could see this program. I really enjoyed this show and am sorry to hear of Phyllis Kirk's passing. She was a wonderful actress and a good opposite for Peter Lawford.
joe peluso
October 23, 2006
she was a very good actress
Kasey
October 23, 2006
I had the privilege of briefly working with Phyllis in the early '80s when she was at the local CBS affiliate in Los Angeles when she was doing Public Relations for the station. She was a wonderful person, highly intelligent, great sense of humor, and I was very happy to have had the opportunity to get to know her.
Yvette Vayon
October 23, 2006
I remember watching Phyllis Kirk as a child. She had a velvet smooth voice and a cheerful smile. It gave me pleasure to watch her and Peter Lawford in "The Thin Man." Her work off stage may not have drawn much attention as other persons but, it is my hope that her work will live on in the little people she tried to help.
charles hasley
October 22, 2006
I Love Phyllis Kirk, we all Love Phyllis Kirk.
Ellen Coburn
October 22, 2006
My condolences go out to the family of Phyllis Kirk. She was a very talented actress. She also helped many people in thier time of need. A beautiful person, inside and out. God bless her family she leaves behind.
TERESA
October 22, 2006
I SEND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. I WAS BORN IN 1955 BUT THE FIRST TIME I WATCHED HOUSE OF WAX IT BECAME MY FAVORITE MOVIE AND STILL IS. I ALWAYS THOUGHT MS. KIRK WAS BEAUTIFUL.
Maria Regan
October 22, 2006
I loved Ms. Kirk in "The Thin Man". I was a little girl when I came from Italy in 1958 and daddy finally bought us a Black and White TV after a fire sale. That was about l960. Daddy encouraged us to watch TV so that we could learn English. The Thin Man became one of my favorite shows. Many times thru the years I have remembered Ms. Kirk with great affection. My condolences to all that loved her and will miss her. I will miss her. Maria Concetta Calabrese-Regan
Lila Mach
October 22, 2006
I enjoyed her acting very much, and, apparently, she was a caring and accomplished human being as well. Her movies and TV appearances are part of my growing up days. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Pat NADEAU
October 22, 2006
My deepest condolences to the family. Ms. Kirk always bought beauty to the screen
Helena & Neil Perlmutter
October 22, 2006
Our sympathy to the family of Phyllis Kirk. She was a wonderful actress.
Jeffrey Miller
October 22, 2006
She did a great job in a Twilight Zone episode #36 called "A World of His Own" in l960. Ms. Kirk played Victoria West, the wife of Gregory West, playwright, played by well known actor Keenan Wynn. I'm a huge TZ fan and unfortunately this is all I remember her by. I love this episode and her role plus it is the only one of the 156 TZ episodes that has Rod Serling, the creator of the series, playing himself as an actor at the end. I will treasure her role in this episode forever. If you have never seen it, the series is on DVD and airs on Sci Fi channel late at night.
MARY EBERSOLE
October 22, 2006
TO THE KIRK FAMILY;
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
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