Kim Hamilton

Kim Hamilton
Hamilton with Ivan Dixon and Steven Perry in The Twilight Zone episode "The Big Tall Wish," 1960.
Born	Dorothy Mae Aiken (1932-09-12)September 12, 1932 Los Angeles, California, United States
Died	September 16, 2013(2013-09-16) (aged 81) Los Angeles, California, United States
Other names	Kim Rousseau
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1952–2010
Spouse(s)	Robert Henry Hamilton (1951–19??) Dave Geisel (1962–65; divorced) Werner Klemperer (1997–2000; his death)
Children	2

Kim Hamilton (born Dorothy Mae Aiken; September 12, 1932 – September 16, 2013) was an American film and television actress, whose career spanned from the 1950s to the 2010s. Her early film credits included the 1959 film noir Odds Against Tomorrow opposite Harry Belafonte and The Leech Woman in 1960. Hamilton was one of the first African-American actors to appear on the soap opera Days of Our Lives and was the only African-American to appear in a speaking role on Leave It to Beaver.

Hamilton portrayed, in an uncredited role, Helen Robinson in the 1962 film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, based on Harper Lee's novel of the same name. She was the film's last surviving African-American adult cast member with a speaking role.

Hamilton initially wanted to be a model but could not work in the fashion industry owing to her short stature and race. Instead, she found an advertisement in the Los Angeles Times that led to acting classes and an agent. Hamilton made her professional acting debut in the 1950s television sitcom Amos 'n' Andy. She played the girlfriend of Andy (Spencer Williams) on the show for several episodes.

She briefly moved to London to pursue acting. Hamilton was able to find some roles but returned to the United States after the British Actors' Equity Association and the Secretary of State for Employment denied her a work permit, a practice commonly used against American actors at the time.