Kim Walker[1] (born Kimberly Anne Walker; June 19, 1968 – March 6, 2001[2]), was an American film and television actress. She is best known for her role as Heather Chandler in the 1988 black comedy Heathers.[3] Walker's sole starring role came in the 1995 independent drama film A Reason to Believe, where she portrayed the character Judith.

Kim Walker
Walker in Heathers (1988)
Born
Kimberly Anne Walker

(1968-06-19)June 19, 1968
New York, U.S.
DiedMarch 6, 2001(2001-03-06) (aged 32)
OccupationActress
Years active1986–2000

Walker was born on June 19, 1968, in New York. She attended Grace Church School and Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, where she was classmates with Christian Slater and Jennifer Aniston. She reportedly remained close friends with both Slater and Aniston throughout her life. After high school, Walker and Aniston shared an apartment in Los Angeles during the early stages of their acting careers.[4][5]

Walker was the daughter of Ruth Mary (née Weigel) and Herb Walker. She died at her home in Studio City on March 6, 2001, at the age of 32, from cerebral herniation due to a malignant glioma. A craniotomy had been performed in January 1999 in an attempt to treat the tumor. She was buried at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, New York. Walker had been diagnosed with the brain tumor several years before her death.[6][7]

In 2002, the Kim Walker Memorial Fund was established at Grace Church School. Walker's family established the Kim Walker Shining Star Drama Fund to celebrate her life, her love of performing, and to honor her memory. The annual Kim Walker "Shining Star" Drama Award, created by her mother and brother, honors students with dedication and talent in the performing arts.[8]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1986 Crime Story Teenager Episode: "Old Friends, Dead Ends"
1987 Student Exchange Kit Television movie
1989 Heathers Heather Chandler
1989 TV 101 Becky Episode: "Clicks"
Say Anything... Sheila
Highway to Heaven Ellen Kayhill Episode: "The Source"
Deadly Weapon Traci
The Preppie Murder Candace Television movie
1990 The Outsiders Cherry Valance 13 episodes
Hunter Allison Janowitz Episode: "Where Echoes End"
1991 The Julie Show Kiki Television movie
1992 Nervous Ticks Janice
Picket Fences Debbie Caton Episode: Pilot
Down the Shore Hillary Episode: Hey Sis, You Up?
1993 Matlock Becky Smith Episode: "The Competition"
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. Caitlin Ward Episode: "Mail Order Brides"
1994 The Favor Jill Topical Alternative title: The Indecent Favour
Gambler V: Playing for Keeps Louisa Television movie
1995 A Reason to Believe Judith
1998 Somewhere in the City Molly, Texas Acting Student
2000 Killing Cinderella Laurel Final role

References

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  1. ^ Steen, M. F. (2010). Celebrity Death Certificates 3. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-7864-5935-3.
  2. ^ Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 783. ISBN 978-0-7864-7992-4.
  3. ^ Maslin, Janet (March 31, 1989). "When a Not-So-Bad Girl Turns Very, Very Bad". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "Daily News from New York, New York". November 10, 1998.
  5. ^ "The Tragic Death of 'Heathers' Star Kim Walker". August 12, 2024.
  6. ^ "Obituary of Ruth M. Walker | Weigand Brothers Funeral Home".
  7. ^ "Kim Walker".
  8. ^ "GCS Kim Walker Shining Star Video 2022".
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