Lois Kelso Hunt

Lois Marie Kelso Hunt (July 16, 1926 – May 20, 2018)[1] was an American actress, theater director, and arts advocate.[2] A native of Oak Park, Illinois, she studied at the University of Michigan and Columbia University before pursuing a career as an English and drama teacher. Hunt relocated to Alexandria, Virginia in 1965, where she acted in local theater productions, and served as a director and producer of a touring production of Malcolm Boyd's They Aren't Real to Me (1966–1968).

Not to be confused with Lois Hunt.
Lois Kelso Hunt
Undated photo of Hunt
Born
Lois Marie Kelso

July 16, 1926 (1926-07-16)
Oak Park, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMay 20, 2018(2018-05-20) (aged 91)
Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Actress
  • teacher
Spouse(s)
Leon Hunt
​
​
(m. 1954; div. 1985)​
Children4

Hunt made her feature film debut portraying a domineering house mother in The House on Sorority Row (1982), which went on to become a cult film. She later appeared onscreen as a guest star on the series Homicide: Life on the Street in 1995, and later in a minor part in the comedy film Head of State (2003). Hunt spent much of her later life dedicated to various humanitarian and philanthropic causes in Alexandria. She died at Inova Alexandria Hospital of pneumonia in 2018, aged 91.

Biography

Hunt was born Lois Marie Kelso in Oak Park, Illinois on July 16, 1926[1] to Hugh Donnally Kelso and Lou Lillian Hammerlund.[3] She attended the University of Michigan, where she worked as a member of the student newspaper.[1] She subsequently earned a graduate degree from Columbia University, and began her career as a schoolteacher, teaching English and drama at Passaic Valley High School and St. Mary’s Hall, both in New Jersey.[1][4] In February 1954, she married Leon Gibson Hunt in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey.[5]

In 1965, Hunt relocated to Alexandria, Virginia, and worked as a stage actress, appearing in productions for the Washington, D.C. Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, Castle Performing Arts Center, and the Jewish Community Center.[4] From 1966 to 1968, Hunt toured as a director and producer of a stage production of They Aren't Real to Me, a one-act play by Episcopalian priest and gay rights activist Malcolm Boyd.[4]

In 1982, Hunt made her feature film debut in the slasher film The House on Sorority Row, portraying a domineering housemother murdered by her sorority.[1] Her performance was dubbed in post-production as her voice was not deemed menacing enough for the role.[6] No less, the picture went on to become a cult film.[7][8] On December 31, 1985, Hunt divorced her husband, Leon, following a one-year separation.[5] She would later appear onscreen again in an episode of Homicide: Life on the Street in 1995 ("Fire: Part II"),[9] and had a minor role in the comedy Head of State (2003).[1]

Hunt spent her later years dedicated to philanthropic and humanitarian causes in Alexandria, serving on the Alexandria Beautification Commission, and was also the chair of the Bicentennial Trees of Alexandria.[4] She was also president of the Taylor Run Civic Association, and volunteered time to Meals on Wheels and the Episcopal Peace Fellowship.[4] Hunt was a member of various political and humanitarian organizations, including the League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Women, Amnesty International, and the Alexandria Democratic Committee.[4]

Death

Hunt died of pneumonia at Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, aged 91.[1] She was predeceased by her eldest son, Nathaniel, who died in a swimming accident in 2011,[10] as well as her former husband, Leon Hunt.[1] She was survived by three other children.[4]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1982 The House on Sorority Row Dorothy Slater [1]
[9]
1995 Homicide: Life on the Street Mrs. Rosen Episode: "Fire: Part II"
2003 Head of State Lewis' Mother

References
  1. Lentz, Harris M. III (2019). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2018. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 178. ISBN 978-1-476-67033-1.
  2. "Lois Kelso Hunt". Alexandria Gazette. Alexandria, Virginia. June 29, 2018. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020.
  3. "Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1940" (May 18, 2016) Lois Marie Kelso, 16 Jul 1926; Oak Park, Cook, Illinois, United States, reference/certificate 1294, Cook County Clerk, Cook County Courthouse, Chicago; FHL microfilm.
  4. Theismann, Jeanne (June 29, 2018). "Obituary: Lois Kelso Hunt". The Connection. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  5. "Virginia, Divorce Records, 1918-1988" (August 20, 2018) Lois Marie Kelso and Leon Gibson Hunt, 31 Dec 1985; from "Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850"; citing Alexandria, , Virginia, United States, certificate #85-021679, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond. (Archived copy of certificate).
  6. "The Director on Sorority Row: An Interview with Mark Rosman". The Terror Trap. February 2001. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  7. "Saturday Nightmares: The House on Sorority Row (1983)". Dread Central. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.
  8. TV Staff (September 18, 2018). "80's Horror Cult Classic, THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW, In Theaters Nationwide for One Night Only". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  9. "Lois Kelso Hunt". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020.
  10. Bernstein, Adam (September 27, 2011). "Obituaries: Nathaniel Hunt". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020.
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