I’ve just started reading Sue Grafton’s alphabet series, and so far I’m liking it. Regarding Kinsey Millhone, are there any particular actresses or other celebrities who you picture her looking like? So far the only description I’ve run across is that she’s 32 years old. For some reason or another I’m picturing her like Farrah Forke during the time she played Alex on Wings.
I’m curious to see what any of you all who have read any of the books think. How do you picture Kinsey Millhone?
I’ve read a few (when my g/f had them from the library !)
For some reason i always pictured her with short hair.
This is the first image to come to mind for me.
Just popped in to say “Enjoy your time in Santa Teresa!” Don’t miss the diner, great goulash (or whatever Rosie decides to serve you instead).
As to Kinsey’s “look”, keep in mind that the stories are set firmly in the '80s (the plots would fall apart with access to cell phones and internet). So the actress has to look like almost forty years ago. Hollywood would have to NOT make the mistake they always seem to, of having current makeup and hair (and teeth) back in the past.
ETA: Don’t worry. Grafton told her kids she’d haunt them if they ever sold the film rights.
I was surprised that pjd pictured her with short hair, but Wiki says:
Kinsey is 5’6" tall, and weighs about 118 pounds. She has short, dark, thick hair that she trims with nail scissors, being generally uninterested in her physical appearance.
I wonder if that last line is why I don’t have a clear picture of Kinsey in my mind (despite having spent years with her). So I guess I’m no help in this thread… but I couldn’t resist!
Oh, try the audiobooks as well – Judy Kaye is a perfect Kinsey.
I thought she had short curly hair, I think it was a popular hair style in the early 80s, but maybe more of a ‘mom’ type practical haircut. She’s not too tall, thin, dresses plainly. Her face is non-distinctive, she wears little or no makeup.
Sorry, FtB, she does not at all resemble Farrah Forke, especially as she appeared on Wings. But if these books are made into movies I’m positive they’ll use an actress who will not at all convey the non-descript appearance a detective would cultivate, so a younger version of Farrah is very likely. There some chance she ends up looking just like Jennifer Lawrence.
On another place I go to, there was a discussion with fans about who they thought should portray her. Sandra Bullock was frequently mentioned (but it would have to be her in her 30s). I checked some of them and the one that seems closest to me is Cobie Smulders (I don’t know who she is - I am just going by pictures).
I read a number of the books back when they were released and I pictured her as a more petite Tyne Daly in her role as Mary Beth Lacey in Cagney and Lacey.
I always picture her as looking like the Drive version of Carey Mulligan. However, if her family stay loyal to her wishes no-one will ever play the role.
I think either of them might’ve fit the role, or maybe Diane Lane when she was younger. As it happens, Cobie Smulders in the recently-renewed-then-cancelled-dammit detective show Stumptown was kinda sorta playing a Milhone-esque character, although in Seattle, and with PTSD, alcoholism and some serious family complications.
Been a while since I read any of the books, but I would go with Aly Michalka as Peyton Charles in iZombie.
Rene Russo when she was younger.
I’m about halfway through E is for Evidence, and still have a tough time picturing any one particular actress as Kinsey. On the other hand, my mental picture of Henry Pitts and Rosie formed rather quickly. For Rosie, I picture Kate Mulgrew as Red from Orange is the New Black. In my mind, Henry Pitts, looks like Ian Abercrombie’s portrayal of Mr. Pitt from Seinfeld, mostly because of the similarity of last names.
Margaret Colin?
She has played both police officers and private detectives on television.
Either of the Hunts - Bonnie or Helen - might’ve done well in the role, back in the day. Or Laura Linney, come to think of it.
Sue Grafton worked in Hollywood at one time and was very much against making her character into a tv show or movie…I always thought of Kinsey Millhone as rather plain and unremarkable in looks, the better to blend into the background in her work as a private detective. One of my favorite actors ever is Maura Tierney, who is plain-but-pretty (or is it pretty-but-plain) - a no-makeup look. A young Maura Tierney, with short snippy hair - I would love to see her as KM
I just thought of this thread yesterday when I was trimming my quarantine bangs with … nail scissors.
I agree with this. I’d be disappointed if Kinsey were played by some of the more glamorous examples given. She wasn’t ugly, more than just plain. An unmadeup Maura Tierney would work.
But is she cute?
According to the choices here, pretty…She can be glammed up some, but no remarkable transformation.
I always pictured Ally Sheedy or Sharon Lawrence , personally.