Shirley Knight Biography (1936?-)

Full name, Shirley Enola Knight; born July 5, 1936 (some sources cite 1937),in Goessel, KS; daughter of Noel Johnson (an oil company executive) and Virginia (maiden name, Webster) Knight; married Eugene "Gene" Persson (an actor and producer), 1959 (divorced, 1969); married John Richard Hopkins (a writer),1969 (died, July 23, 1998); children: (first marriage) Kaitlin (an actress and singer); (second marriage) Sophie C. (a writer). Addresses: Agent: The Gage Group, 14724 Ventura Blvd., Suite 505, Los Angeles, CA 91403.

Nationality: American
Gender: Female
Occupation: Actress, singer
Birth Details: July 5, 1936?; Goessel, Kansas, United States

Famous Works

CREDITS
Film Appearances
(Uncredited) Bit part, Picnic, Columbia, 1955
Sister Maria, Five Gates to Hell, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1959
Grace Kennedy, Ice Palace, Warner Bros., 1960
Reenie Flood, The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, Warner Bros., 1960
Erica Hayden, House of Women, Warner Bros., 1962
Heavenly Finley, Sweet Bird of Youth, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1962
Terry, The Couch, Warner Bros., 1962
Caroline Gordon/Stevenson, Flight from Ashiya (also known as Ashiya kara no hiko), United Artists, 1964
Polly Andrews, The Group, United Artists, 1966
Polo, Petulia, Warner Bros., 1966
Lula, Dutchman (also known as The Dutchman), Continental Distributing/Planet, 1967
Natalie Ravenna, The Rain People, Warner Bros., 1969
Angie Peterson, The Counterfeit Killer (also known as Crackshot), Universal, 1970
Beatrice, Secrets (also known as Adultery), Lone Star, 1971
Barbara Banister, Juggernaut (also known as Terror on the Britannic), United Artists, 1974
Hannah Meredith, Beyond the Poseidon Adventure, Warner Bros., 1979
Anne Butterfield, Endless Love, Universal, 1981
Jerolyn, The Sender, Paramount, 1982
Aunt Fergie, The Secret Life of Houses, c. 1994
Edith Niedelmeyer, Color of Night, Buena Vista, 1994
Mona Dickens, Death in Venice, California, First Run Features, 1994
Donna and mother, Benders (short film), 1994
Mom Smalley, Stuart Saves His Family, Paramount, 1995
Edie Danziger, Diabolique, Warner Bros., 1996
Irma Gill, Somebody Is Waiting, Redhead Films/LIVE Entertainment/Rank, 1996
Beverly Connelly, As Good as It Gets (also known as Old Friends), Sony Pictures Entertainment, 1997
Doris Knight, Little Boy Lost (also known as Little Boy Blue), Castle Hill, 1997
Grace Postlewait, The Man Who Counted, 1998
Jo Beth Anderson, 75 Degrees in July, Cut Entertainment Group, 2000
Elanora Davis, Angel Eyes, Warner Bros., 2001
(Uncredited) The Center of the World, Artisan Entertainment/SummitEntertainment, 2001
Aunt Claire, P.S. Your Cat Is Dead, TLA Releasing, 2002
Nancy Plummer, The Salton Sea, Warner Bros., 2002
Necie Rose Kelleher, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Warner Bros., 2002
Mercedes Mayfield, A House on a Hill, Calliope Films, 2003
Miss Christina, Fly Cherry (short film), Power Up Films, 2003
Tibetan voices, Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion, Artistic License Films, 2003
Ann, Open Window, 2005
Lea, Thanks to Gravity, Voyage Entertainment, 2005
Marianne, Locked In (short film), Locked In Productions/Vineyard Properties, 2005
Peggy, To Lie in Green Pastures (short film), Red Dilemma, 2005
The Needs of Kim Stanley (documentary), Frozen Motion Films, 2005
Bea, Grandma's Boy, Twentieth Century-Fox, 2006
Appeared as Virginia in the unreleased film Prisoners, Twentieth Century-Fox.
Film Work
Coproducer, Dutchman (also known as The Dutchman), Continental Distributing/Planet, 1967
Director, Far from Home (short film), American Film Institute, 1994
Television Appearances
Series
Mrs. Newcomb, Buckskin, NBC, 1958-59
Edie Wren Cox, Angel Falls, CBS, 1993
Estelle Winters, Maggie Winters, CBS, 1998-99
Miniseries
Mrs. Hunt, The Billionaire Boys Club, NBC, 1987
Edna Larson, When Love Kills: The Seduction of John Hearn (also known as Soldiers of Misfortune), CBS, 1993
Aunt Bertha, Children of the Dust (also known as A Good Day toDie), CBS, 1995
Mary Donnelly, "1952," If These Walls Could Talk, HBO, 1996
Gram (Miss Caroline), Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Wedding (also known as The Wedding), ABC, 1998
Movies
Peggy Leydon, The Outsider, NBC, 1967
Joanne Tregaskis, Shadow over Elveron, NBC, 1968
Eliza Birdwell, Friendly Persuasion (also known as Except for Me and Thee), ABC, 1975
Annaliese Graese, 21 Hours at Munich, ABC, 1976
Joan Aldrin, Return to Earth, ABC, 1976
Genna Kudirka, The Defection of Simas Kudirka, CBS, 1978
Barbara Harlich, Champions: A Love Story, CBS, 1979
Frau Lagerfuhrerin Maria Mandel, Playing for Time, CBS, 1980
Edna Reinecker, With Intent to Kill (also known as Urge to Kill), CBS, 1984
Katie Leonard, Bump in the Night, CBS, 1991
William's mother, "Hogg's Heaven," Showtime 30-Minute Movie, Showtime, 1992
Bess Jordan (some sources cite Bess Warden), A Mother's Revenge (also known as Desperate Justice and A Mother's Justice), ABC, 1993
Esther, The Yarn Princess (also known as More Than a Miracle), ABC, 1994
Martha, A Part of the Family, Lifetime, 1994
Sylvia, Baby Brokers (also known as Stolen Hearts), NBC, 1994
Betty, Dad, the Angel & Me, Family Channel, 1995
Mrs. Apfel (Mrs. A), Fudge-a-Mania, ABC, 1995
Peggy McMartin Buckey, Indictment: The McMartin Trial (also knownas The Naked Movie Star Games and Nothing but the Truth: The McMartin Story), HBO, 1995
Delia, The Uninvited (also known as The Haunting of Patricia Johnson, The House at the End of the Street, and Victim of the Haunt), CBS, 1996
Esther Melville, Mary & Tim (also known as Tim), CBS, 1996
Joan Hart, Dying to Be Perfect: The Ellen Hart Pena Story, ABC, 1996
Jolene Maggart (some sources cite Colleen Parker), A Promise to Carolyn, CBS, 1996
Sally Ann, Stolen Memories: Secrets from the Rose Garden (also known as Forbidden Memories and The Rose Garden), Family Channel,1996
Margaret, Convictions, Lifetime, 1997
Donna Minkowitz, A Father for Brittany (also known as A Changeof Heart), CBS, 1998
Harriet Winslow, A Marriage of Convenience (also known as Un mariage de convenance), Lifetime, 1998
Jewel, My Louisiana Sky, Showtime, 2001
Mrs. Finch, Shadow Realm, Sci-Fi Channel, 2002
Mrs. Ashboro, Mrs. Ashboro's Cat (also known as Ghost Cat and Le chat fantome), Animal Planet, 2003
Joanna, Sexual Life, Showtime, 2005
Specials
Georgia Elgin, "The Country Girl," Hallmark Hall of Fame, NBC, 1974

Kennedy's Children, CBS, 1982
Helen Potter, "Shadow of a Doubt," Hallmark Hall of Fame, CBS, 1991
Awards Presentations
Presenter, The 34th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 1962
The 30th Annual Tony Awards, ABC, 1976
Presenter, The 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Fox, 1995
The 51st Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1997
Episodic
Betty, "The Long March," Playhouse 90, CBS, 1958
Heide, "Better Than a Cannon," The Restless Gun, NBC, 1959
Jenny Cooper, "Incident in No Man's Land," Rawhide, CBS, 1959
Kathy, "The Baron of Broken Lance," Bronco, ABC, 1959
Lily Akins, "Stampede," The Texan, CBS, 1959
Lynn, "A Dime a Dozen," Hawaiian Eye, ABC, 1959
Mrs. Newcomb, "Little Heathen," Buckskin, NBC, 1959
Shirley, "The Parents," Johnny Staccato, NBC, 1959
"Showdown at Abilene," The Texan, CBS, 1959
Ginger Martin, "Fatal Cruise," Hawaiian Eye, ABC, 1960
Jennifer Morgan, "The Kahuna Curtain," Hawaiian Eye, ABC, 1960
Mari Ellen, "Fraternity of Fear," 77 Sunset Strip, ABC, 1960
Miriam, "The Power of Suggestion," Surfside 6, ABC, 1960
Susy, "The Shape of the River," Playhouse 90, CBS, 1960
Vera, "Key to the City," Bourbon Street Beat, ABC, 1960
Ellie Hollis, "Big Town Blues," The Roaring 20s, ABC, 1961
Linda Lord, "Little Star Lost," Surfside 6, ABC, 1961
Molly Durrock, "The Invaders," Bronco, ABC, 1961
Nancy Powers, "The Ice Man," Maverick, ABC, 1961
"The Trial," Lawman, ABC, 1961
Jan Coates, "Elegy for a Bookkeeper," Surfside 6, ABC, 1962
Kathy Meigi, "Five Cranks for Winter ... Ten Cranks for Spring," NakedCity, ABC, 1962
Phyllis, "A Book of Faces," Target: The Corruptors, ABC, 1962
Susan Morrow, "The Man from the Sea," The Virginian, NBC, 1962
"You Can't Escape," The United States Steel Hour, CBS, 1962
Anne, "And God Created Vanity," Eleventh Hour, NBC, 1963
Charmian Scott, "The Takers," The DuPont Show of the Week, NBC, 1963
Hilary, "The Broken Year," Alcoa Hour (also known as Alcoa Premiere), ABC, 1963
Noel Anderson, "The Man Who Was Never Born," The Outer Limits, ABC, 1963
Rhoda Waggner, "Run, Little Man, Run," Arrest and Trial, ABC, 1963
"Fair Young Ghost," The United States Steel Hour, CBS, 1963
Bethany Windell, "A Voice Loud and Clear," The Defenders, CBS, 1964
Janice Pruitt, "The Homecoming," The Fugitive, ABC, 1964
Phone operator, "Extension Seven," The Reporter, CBS, 1964
Clara Malone, "Lost Yesterday," The Virginian, NBC, 1965
Mona Ross, "A.P.B.," The Fugitive, ABC, 1965
Angie Peterson, "The Faceless Man," Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theater, NBC, 1966
Jane Washburn, "Echo of a Nightmare," The Fugitive, ABC, 1966
Margaret Cook, "The Watchers," The Invaders, ABC, 1967
Emily Castleton, "Majesty," The Jazz Age, 1968
Amy Martin, "The Ten Days That Shook Kid Curry," Alias Smith and Jones, ABC, 1972
(As Shirley Knight Hopkins) Beth, "Legion of Demons," Ghost Story,NBC, 1972
"A Standard for Manhood," The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (also known as The Bold Ones), NBC, 1972
"That Quiet Earth," Thirty-Minute Theatre, BBC, 1972
"Girl on the Run," Jigsaw, ABC, 1973
"Legion of Demons," Circle of Fear, NBC, 1973
"The Lie," CBS Playhouse (also known as Playhouse 90), CBS,1973
"A Room with a View," The Streets of San Francisco, ABC, 1973
Margot Brenner, "The Power of Fear," Great Mysteries (also known as Orson Welles "Great Mysteries"), syndicated, 1973, also Anglia Television
Amy Calloway, "Tainted Lady," Medical Center, CBS, 1974
"Hell Is Upstairs," Marcus Welby, M.D., ABC, 1974
"Pete," Nakia, ABC, 1974
Kay Lewiston, "Fantasy of Fear," Barnaby Jones, CBS, 1975
"Please Stand by for Murder," Wide World of Mystery, ABC, 1975
"Web of Fear," The Manhunter, CBS, 1975
"A Necessary End," Nurse, CBS, 1982
Ann Denver, "Sweet Scene of Death," Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense (also known as Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense: Sweet Scene ofDeath), [Great Britain], c. 1984
Katie Quirk, "Internal Affairs," Spenser: For Hire, NBC, 1985
Katie Quirk, "The Heart of the Matter," Spenser: For Hire, ABC, 1987
Ruth Murdoch, "The Parents Are Coming," thirtysomething, ABC, 1987
Grace Fenton, "Smooth Operators," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1989
Kay, "Time Present, Time Past," The Equalizer, CBS, 1989
Grace Lambert, "Always a Thief," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1990
Phyllis Todd, "The Mother," Matlock, NBC, 1990
Ruth Murdoch, "Arizona," thirtysomething, ABC, 1990
Melanie Cullen, "The Wages of Love," Law & Order, NBC, 1991
Belinda Collins, "Hello and Goodbye," L.A. Law, NBC, 1993
Agnes Cantwell, "Large Mouth Bass," NYPD Blue, ABC, 1995
Dr. Margo Hearst, "Facing the Fire," VR.5 (also known as Avenging Angel, Virtual Reality, VR, and VR5), Fox, 1995
Loretta, "Romancing the Crone," Cybill, CBS, 1996
"The Seed Jar," Chicken Soup for the Soul, PAX TV, 1999
Delores Dalkowski, "Past Perfect," The Fugitive, CBS, 2001
Dr. Wharton, "Repression," Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (also known as Law & Order: SVU and Special Victims Unit), NBC, 2001
Herself, Intimate Portrait: Brooke Shields, Lifetime, 2001
Helen Apple, "Homecoming," Ally McBeal, Fox, 2002
Mrs. Burke, "Insurrection," ER (also known as Emergency Room), NBC, 2002
Mrs. Finch, "Harmony," Night Visions, Fox, 2002
Rose Granville, "Tragedy," Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (also known as Law & Order: SVU and Special Victims Unit), NBC, 2003
Dottie, "Factory Girls," Cold Case, CBS, 2004
Frances, "Most Likely," Crossing Jordan, NBC, 2004
Georgia Adams, "Poison," House (also known as House, M.D.),Fox, 2005
Phyllis Van De Kamp, "Next," Desperate Housewives, ABC, 2005
Phyllis Van De Kamp, "You Could Drive a Person Crazy," Desperate Housewives, ABC, 2005
Phyllis Van De Kamp, "You'll Never Get Away from Me," Desperate Housewives, ABC, 2005
Guest, The View, ABC, 2005
Appeared as Mrs. Germaine in One Life to Live, ABC; appeared as Mrs. Callaway in "Matters of Gravity" and "My Left Kidney," both unaired episodes of Significant Others, Fox.
Pilots
Mark Dolphin, CBS, c. 1965
Phyllis Lenahan, Medical Story, CBS, 1975
Rinda Larson, To Save a Child (also known as The Craft), ABC, 1991
Edie Wren Cox, Angel Falls, CBS, 1993
Trish, Loomis, CBS, 2001
Stage Appearances
Alison, Look Back in Anger, Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena, CA, 1958
Katherine, Journey to the Day, Theatre de Lys (now Lucille LortelTheatre), New York City, 1963
Irina, Three Sisters, Actors Studio, Morosco Theatre, New York City, 1964
Lula, Dutchman, Warner Playhouse, Los Angeles, 1965
Constance, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Lincoln Center Theater, Ethel Barrymore Theater, New York City, 1966
Jenny Zubitsky, "Better Luck Next Time," and Helen Windsor, "A Walk in Dark Places," Rooms, Cherry Lane Theatre, New York City, 1966
Jean, And People All Around, Bristol Old Vic Theatre, Bristol, England, 1967
Janet, The Watering Place, Music Box Theatre, New York City, 1969
Sara Melody, A Touch of the Poet, Gardner Centre Theatre, Brighton, England, 1970
Title role, Antigone, Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham, England, 1971
Economic Necessity, Haymarket Theatre, Leicester, England, 1973
Carla, Kennedy's Children, John Golden Theatre, New York City, 1975-76
Blanche DuBois, A Streetcar Named Desire, McCarter Theatre, Princeton, NJ, 1976, also appeared in other productions of the play
Betty, Landscape of the Body, Drake Theatre, Chicago, IL, then NewYork Shakespeare Festival, Public Theatre, Estelle R. Newman Theatre, New York City, 1977
Lieutenant Lillian Holiday, Happy End, Chelsea Theatre Center, Theatre Four, New York City, 1977
Dorothea, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC, 1978, then Hudson Guild Theatre, New York City, 1979
Ruth, Losing Time, Manhattan Theatre Club, Stage 73, New York City, 1979
Lil, I Won't Dance, Studio Arena Theatre, Buffalo, NY, 1980
Lola, Come Back, Little Sheba, Roundabout Theatre Stage I, New York City, 1984
Colette, "Colette in Love," Women Heroes: In Praise of Exceptional Women, Series B, off-Broadway production, 1986
The Depot, 1987
The Cherry Orchard, Arena Stage, Washington, DC, 1988
Amanda Wingfield, The Glass Menagerie, McCarter Theatre, 1990-91
Gillian, The Marriage Play, McCarter Theatre, 1991-92
Lily Dale Kidder, The Young Man from Atlanta, Longacre Theatre, New York City, 1997
Madame Arcati, Blithe Spirit, Pasadena Playhouse, 2000
The Autumn Garden, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, 2001
J. S., Necessary Targets, Hartford Stage, Hartford, CT, beginning2001, then Variety Arts Theatre, New York City, 2002
Esther, Cycling past the Matterhorn, Harold Clurman Theatre, New York City, 2005
Appeared in The Vagina Monologues, Westside Theatre (Downstairs),New York City; also appeared in The Importance of Being Earnest.
Radio Appearances
Appeared in radio productions.
RECORDINGS
Audiobooks
Ron Milner and Steve Albrezzi, Ruby McCollum, L.A. Theatre Works,1999
WRITINGS
Screenplays
Far from Home (short film), American Film Institute, 1994

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

Periodicals

Back Stage, April 11, 1997, p. 17
Celebrity Sleuth, Volume 4, issue 5, 1991, pp. 52-53; Volume 8, issue 6, 1995, pp. 92-93

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