Kim Hunter

Kim Hunter Profile Photo

Characters played by Kim Hunter

Zira — Planet of the Apes (1968)

Compassionate chimpanzee scientist who studies humans and aids time-traveling apes.

Zira — Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)

Chimpanzee psychologist and scientist, wife of Cornelius, mother of Caesar

Stella Kowalski — A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

A pregnant woman who welcomes her sister into her home despite tensions between them. She remains strongly attracted to her husband even after his violence, struggles to believe the accusation against him, and finally flees with her baby after her sister is taken away.

Dr. Zira — Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)

Chimpanzee psychologist and scientist, wife of Cornelius, mother of Caesar

June — A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

American radio operator at a coastal base who receives Peter's final transmission, meets him after his crash, falls in love, and testifies in the afterlife court to save his life.

Rebbitzn — A Price Above Rubies (1998)

Rebbitzn is the widow of Rebbe Moshe and becomes an unexpected source of understanding for Sonia. She explains that Sonia’s words about being consumed by fire awakened love in the Rebbe after many years, and that he subsequently suffered a heart attack. She also helps Sonia reclaim her property from Sender’s safe.

Mary Gibson — The Seventh Victim (1943)

A young student at Highcliffe Academy who leaves school to search for her missing older sister, Jacqueline. In New York, Mary investigates La Sagesse, consults Judd and Irving, survives danger connected to the Palladists, and helps organize an effort to find Jacqueline.

Nora Hutcheson — Deadline - U.S.A. (1952)

Ed Hutcheson's former wife. Her impending remarriage adds personal tension and distraction for the protagonist during the newspaper's critical survival crisis.

Adrianna Putnam — Dark August (1976)

A local psychic considered a witch by townspeople. Jackie consults her to cure Sal's symptoms. Adrianna confirms a curse, advises burning the studio, and conducts a protection ritual with Sal, Jackie, Theo, and Lesley. She is fatally shot by McDermott mid-ritual, though the ritual's magic inadvertently backfires on him.

Helen Watson — Anything Can Happen (1952)

A court reporter, Helen is moved by Giorgi's honest and eloquent defense and invites him to help identify folk music. She becomes his close friend, travels to California to care for her aunt, and later rushes to Giorgi's farm to protect his orange crop from frost. She accepts his marriage proposal.

Martha Lockridge — Storm Center (1956)

Martha Lockridge is the assistant librarian and Paul Duncan's romantic partner. Her connection to Duncan places her close to the conflict surrounding Alicia Hull, whose dismissal and public condemnation are intensified by Duncan's political ambitions and accusations about Alicia's past associations.

Elaine Wilby — Bad Ronald (1974)

Ronald's overprotective mother, Elaine plans for him to become a doctor and hopes he will cure her illness. After he accidentally kills Carol, she hides him in a concealed living space and tells him to pretend he ran away. She later dies unexpectedly during gallbladder surgery.

Career Overview

Kim Hunter has 90 screen credits in a career dating back to 1943. Their work spans 2 cinematic universes — most prominently Planet of the Apes with 3 titles. Signature works include Planet of the Apes, Beneath the Planet of the Apes, A Streetcar Named Desire. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
female
Known Credits
90
Birth Date
1922-11-12
Birth Place
Detroit, Michigan, USA

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 2 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q59824), public domain (CC0).