Kim Winona (born Constance Elaine Mackey; October 10, 1930 – June 23, 1978), also credited as Connie Buck, was an American actress, mostly playing Native American roles in Western television programs.

Kim Winona
A smiling woman with fair skin and dark hair
Connie Buck (Kim Winona), from a 1954 newspaper
Born
Constance Elaine Mackey

October 10, 1930
South Sioux City, Nebraska
DiedJune 23, 1978(1978-06-23) (aged 47)
Los Angeles, California
Other namesConstance M. Marlow, Connie Buck
OccupationActress
Children2

Early life

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Winona was born Constance Elaine Mackey in South Sioux City, Nebraska, the daughter of Elaine G. Melior. She lived in Spokane, Washington, as a girl.[1] She was an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux people,[2] and her mother was active in compiling records of Native American family trees.[3]

Career

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Winona worked as a secretary and model when she first lived in Los Angeles.[4] On television she had a regular role as Morning Star in Brave Eagle (1955–1956),[5][6] of which she explained that "The script writers have never made me say 'Ugh', 'Me catchum this', or 'Me wantum wampum.'"[7] The show was praised for casting several Native American actors in regular roles, and for having a Chippewa technical advisor.[8] While in this role, she was a guest marshal of the Hesperia Days parade in Hesperia, California.[9]

As Connie Buck, she also appeared in The Man Called X (1956), Bolt of Lightning (1957),[10] Cheyenne (1958), The Rough Riders (1958), 26 Men (1957–1958), Northwest Passage (1959), Gunsmoke (1959),[11] Black Saddle (1959), Bat Masterson (1960),[12] and Rawhide (1959–1960). She had a role in the film Gun Fight (1961), and was hired to promote the film Apache (1954), despite not appearing in it.[2] She also painted and did sculpture.[13][14][15]

Personal life

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Winona married four times and divorced three times. Her first husband was Harvey L. Buck; they married in 1949 in Spokane.[14] Her third husband was John Gilbert Stewart; they married in 1972 in Los Angeles and divorced in 1976. Her last husband was Charles Marcus "Chic" Sorenson; they married in 1977. She had two daughters, Migan (Mimi) Richman, and Michelle Stewart. Michelle is a young adult and supernatural thriller writer under the pen name Michelle Morningstar. Kim Winona died in 1978, aged 47 years, in Los Angeles.[16] Correction I am jim richman and Kim and I were together for 8 years had a daughter---Mimi Richman

References

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  1. ^ FSR (1954-08-07). "Young Actress Awaits Word of Good Role in TV Series". Spokane Chronicle. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b Shearer, Lloyd (1956-02-26). "From Tepee to TV". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 90. Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Metzger, Joyce Owen (1979-08-01). "The Family Tree". Spokane Chronicle. p. 47. Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Indian Charmer from South Dakota". Star Tribune. 1956-02-19. p. 99. Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Hawes, William (2001-12-26). Filmed Television Drama, 1952-1958. McFarland. pp. 133, 237. ISBN 978-0-7864-1132-0.
  6. ^ "WGN-TV to Carry Cheyenne Series; Opens Tomorrow". Chicago Tribune. 1957-06-09. p. 37. Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Lieber, Leslie (1956-07-08). "TV Smokes the Peace Pipe". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. 95. Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Scott, Vernon (1957-02-03). "Eagle Top Indiams TV Totem Pole". Detroit Free Press. p. 74. Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Junior Rodeo Feature of Hesperia Days". San Bernardino Sun. June 7, 1956. p. 17. Retrieved August 2, 2021 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  10. ^ Phillips, Mark; Garcia, Frank (2014-05-12). Science Fiction Television Series: Episode Guides, Histories, and Casts and Credits for 62 Prime-Time Shows, 1959 through 1989. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-1030-6.
  11. ^ Armstrong, Stephen B. (2011-09-07). Andrew V. McLaglen: The Life and Hollywood Career. McFarland. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-7864-8670-0.
  12. ^ Rainey, Buck (2015-11-17). Western Gunslingers in Fact and on Film: Hollywood's Famous Lawmen and Outlaws. McFarland. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-4766-0328-5.
  13. ^ "Kim Winona". The Pittsburgh Press. 1956-01-22. p. 127. Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b "All She Had to Do Was Be Herself". Daily News. 1956-05-27. p. 115. Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Tries for Award". Spokane Chronicle. 1949-02-02. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Constance E. Sorenson". Spokane Chronicle. 1978-06-27. p. 9. Retrieved 2021-08-02 – via Newspapers.com.
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