
Kathleen Key
ActingAbout Kathleen Key
From Wikipedia: Kathleen Key (April 1, 1903 – December 22, 1954) was an American actress who achieved a brief period of fame during the silent era. She is best remembered for playing Tirzah in the 1925 film Ben-Hur. Key was the great-great granddaughter of Francis Scott Key, composer of "The Star Spangled Banner", and a distant cousin of author F. Scott Fitzgerald. Born Kitty Lanahan in Buffalo, New York, she debuted in films in 1920 in the film The Jackeroo of Coolabong, playing a lead role. From that point on to the end of the 1920s, Kathleen Key, sometimes credited as Kathleen Keys, starred in several films, but never really reached stardom, and was never given much credit for the roles she had, although there were some exceptions. In the early '20s, Key had a well-known love affair with silent-film actor Buster Keaton, who was married at the time. As told in Keaton's biography, the actor attempted to call off the relationship, but Key flew into a jealous rage and ransacked his MGM dressing room, which caused her to be virtually blacklisted afterward by the movie industry. It is also stated that Keaton refused to give Key a monetary loan. A telegram, sent by one of Keaton's friends who had heard about the argument, comically read: "Congratulations. Hear you are off Key." After her retirement in 1936, Keys spent the rest of her days in moderate comfort at the Motion Picture Country House in Woodland Hills, California, where she died at the age of 51 in 1954. Her interment was located at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery.
Kathleen Key Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Kathleen Key reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 30 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Kathleen Key's work falls within the Western genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 80% of Kathleen Key's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Bells of San Juan, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Kathleen Key Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Kathleen Key's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Kathleen Key has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | Klondike Annie | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Thunder in the Night | Party Guest | Average | Similar → |
| 1930 | Sweeping Against the Winds | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | The Phantom of the North | Colette | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | Golf Widows | Ethel Dixon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1927 | Irish Hearts | Clarice | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | Hey! Hey! Cowboy | Emily Decker | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Desert's Toll | Muriel Cooper | Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Flaming Frontier | Lucretia | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Money Talks | Vamp | Flop | Similar → |
| 1926 | Under Western Skies | Milly Lewis | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ | Tirzah | Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | The Big Parade | Miss Apperson (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | A Lover's Oath | Sherin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | 1925 Studio Tour | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1924 | Revelation | Madonna | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Sea Hawk | Andalusian Slave Girl | Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Trouble Shooter | Nancy Brewster | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | The Man from Brodney's | Neenah | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | Reno | Yvette - The Governess | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | North of Hudson Bay | Estelle MacDonald | Average | Similar → |
| 1923 | The Rendezvous | Varvara | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | Hell's Hole | Mabel Grant | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | Bells of San Juan | Florrie Engel | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | West of Chicago | Señoria Gonzales | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | Where's My Wandering Boy Tonight? | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | The Fighting Breed | Enid MacDonald (as Ethel Payton) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse | Georgette (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | The Rookie's Return | Gloria | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | The Jackeroo of Coolabong | Edith MacDonald | Super Hit | Similar → |
Kathleen Key - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Kathleen Key?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Kathleen Key is "Bells of San Juan" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Kathleen Key acted in?
Kathleen Key has been featured in at least 30 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Kathleen Key?
Other notable films include "Irish Hearts", "The Man from Brodney's", and "The Trouble Shooter".




