Kathy Kersh Has Not Appeared In A Movie In Over 40 Years – All You Need To Know

Kathy Kersh – born December 15, 1942, is 81 years old.

When she emerged in the spotlight in the early ’60s, Kathy Kersh showed a lot of potential to be the next big star on TV. She possessed the looks and talent, attracting the people that mattered in the entertainment industry. Known for movies like The Americanization of Emily (1964), Gemini Affair (1975), The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), and the Batman TV series, classic TV enthusiasts would be familiar with the screen beauty.

However, the promising career didn’t survive for long as she gradually disappeared from the spotlight. Luckily, she left a lot to be learned from her during her active days on both the small and big screens.

How old is Kathy Kersh now?

The actress was born on December 15, 1942, in Los Angeles, California, USA, and she is 81 years old. However, we can’t confirm the identities of her parents or any sibling. Kathy was raised in her birthplace where she probably went to school but details of her educational background have not been made available.

She, however, grew into a beautiful woman, enough to win a pageant. The actress also started nurturing her dreams of going into the showbiz industry quite early. This is probably what inspired her entrance for a pageant.

Kersh won Miss Rheingold in 1962

Rheingold Beer dominated the alcoholic beverages market in New York and beyond from 1883 but it was sold by the founding family in 1963. Before the company changed ownership, it held an annual pageant where one woman was elected to become the brand’s ambassador for the year. The contest started in 1942 and continued until 1964, just after the company was sold.

Kathy won the 1962 version before the contest phased out two years later. This introduced her to the limelight as most winners of the contest get to appear on popular radio and television shows. The exposure was what led to the launch of her acting career.

Producer Martin Ransohoff had great plans for Kathy Kersh in the early ’60s until Sharon Tate showed up

She was ready to take the industry by storm after winning the Rheingold pageant. Kathy had the looks and personality it takes to make it but getting the right platform wasn’t a walk in the park. When she met producer Martin Ransohoff, he expressed his desire to turn her into a screen sensation. He even gave her an exclusive contract to launch the venture but all that changed the next year when Sharon Tate came into the picture.

Martin met Sharon and saw greater potential in her. He was overwhelmed with her talent, pushing Kersh aside in the process. Howbeit, Kathy wasn’t entirely wiped out of the picture as she worked with Sharon on several projects. In fact, the two women became friends in the process until Sharon died in 1969.

Kathy Kersh, Sharon Tate, and co-stars – image source

Her acting career began officially in 1963

While she won Miss Rheingold in 1962, it was in 1963 that Kathy launched her acting career on the set of the TV series My Favourite Martian as Jennifer, Burke’s Law as Girl, and The Lloyd Bridges Show as Mary. 1964 was a prolific year for the actress who landed many roles in most of the projects that she is still remembered for. The Beverly Hillbillies as Marian Billington, The Nut House!!, Wendy and Mer, and The Americanization of Emily as 3rd ‘Nameless Broad’ are the projects she featured in that year.

She continued to bag more roles, mostly on the small screen, and joined the cast of the Batman TV series in 1966. On the show, she depicted Cornelia in two episodes. Her last credited role was as Jessica in Gemini Affair which was released in 1975. The film touches on issues that are prevalent in modern times, including homosexuality and drugs. Since then, fans have often asked where is Kathy Kersh and what is she up to?

Where is Kathy Kersh? Here’s why she has been missing from the screen for over 40 years

While she was a regular face on popular TV series in the 1960s and 1970s, Kathy could not keep up. The last time she was seen in an acting role was in 1975 and since then, she has not resurfaced.

The same year, after what seemed like a voluntary hiatus from acting, Kersh launched a music career. She only managed to drop a single titled Hurt So Bad in August 1975. Burt Ward, who was married to her at the time, produced the project. However, the music venture ended before it even started. For now, we can only confirm that Kathy Kersh is alive but her current status is not really public knowledge. After her last marriage ended, the former actress went to business school where she acquired skills that helped her join the commercial real estate business.

Kathy Kersh’s movies and TV shows

TV series

• The Lloyd Bridges Show as Mary – 1963
• My Favorite Martian as Jennifer – 1963
• The Beverly Hillbillies as Marian Billington – 1964
• Wendy and Me as Sheila – 1964
• The Americanization of Emily as 3rd ‘Nameless Broad’ – 1964
• Shindig! as Self – Singer – 1965
• Burke’s Law as Girl / Sweet Young Thing / Candy – 1963-1965
• Ben Casey as Tina – 1965
• The Man from U.N.C.L.E. as Sophie – 1965
• Batman as Cornelia – 1966
• Premiere as Marie – 1968
• Love, American Style as Tina – 1971

Movies

• The Nut House!! (TV Movie) – 1964
• Gemini Affair as Jessica – 1975

Kathy Kersh got married twice

After meeting Max Baer, Jr. on the set of The Beverly Hillbillies, they dated briefly but the relationship didn’t last. Her career was still at its budding stage at this time. She went into her first marriage with Vince Edwards the next year but ended things with him and moved on with Burt Ward.

Vince Edwards (13 June 1965 – 1965 divorced)

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Though he passed on in 1996, Vince Edwards was active in the entertainment industry while he was alive. He was an actor, director, and singer. As an actor, he was known for depicting the titular role of Ben Casey and as Major Cliff Bricker in The Devil’s Brigade.

Kathy was his first wife but the marriage barely survived a year. Despite the short-lived union, they produced a child, a daughter named Devera Edwards. Their marriage started and ended in 1965, with Kathy citing mental anguish as the reason behind the split. While Kathy Kersh didn’t have more kids, Edwards got two more daughters from his marriage to actress Linda Fister.

Read Also: Brooke Markham: Revealing Facts About The Foursome Star

Burt Ward (25 February 1967 – 1969, divorced)

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Kathy Kersh’s second husband is an American actor and activist. He is popular for his role as Batman’s sidekick Robin. Other projects he is known for include The New Adventures of Batman (1977), Legends of the Superheroes (1979), Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016), Batman vs. Two-Face (2017), and Crisis on Infinite Earths (2019). He was first married to Bonney Lindsey before their divorce in 1967. Shortly afterward, he married Kersh.

Kathy met Burt while working on the set of Batman where the latter played the role of Robin while Kersh was a guest star. Three months into their relationship, they got married but just like the first, her second marriage didn’t last either. It, however, managed to last from 1967 to 1969. Burt has since moved on and been in one unsuccessful marriage with Mariana Torchia and is still married to Tracy Posner with whom he tied the knot sometime in 1990.

Fast facts

How old is Kathy Kersh?

Born on December 15, 1942, in Los Angeles, California, USA, Kathy Kersh is currently 81 years old.

Who played Cornelia on Batman?

Kathy Kersh depicted the role of Cornelia in the Batman TV series in the ’60s. Her character is a moll/henchwoman to the Joker (Cesar Romero)

Who is Burt Ward married to?

Kathy Kersh’s ex-husband Burt Ward has been married to Tracy Posner since 1990 and they have a daughter named Melody Lane Ward.