Acting
Kathleen Key
Kathleen Key, born Kitty Lanahan on April 1, 1903, in Buffalo, New York, was an American actress known for her roles during the silent film era. She is particularly remembered for her portrayal of Tirzah in the iconic 1925 film "Ben-Hur." Key was part of a notable lineage as the great-great-granddaughter of Francis Scott Key, the writer of "The Star-Spangled Banner," and a distant relative of the celebrated author F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Her film career commenced in 1920 with a leading role in "The Jackeroo of Coolabong." Throughout the 1920s, she appeared in various films, occasionally credited as Kathleen Keys, but never attained the level of stardom that many contemporaries enjoyed, despite some noteworthy performances.
Key's personal life garnered attention as well, particularly her tumultuous romance with silent film star Buster Keaton, who was married at the time. Their relationship was marked by drama, including a legendary incident where Key's jealousy led her to ransack Keaton's dressing room, resulting in her near-blacklisting from Hollywood.
After stepping away from acting in 1936, Key lived at the Motion Picture Country House in Woodland Hills, California, until her passing on December 22, 1954, at the age of 51. She was laid to rest at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery. Despite her brief career, Kathleen Key's contributions to the silent film era remain a part of cinematic history.
