# Kinsey Millhone from the alphabet series. What actress do you picture her as? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [December 28, 2020, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106 "2020-12-28T14:09:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/1 "2020-12-28T14:09:19Z")
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. > **[Farrah Forke - IMDb](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0286294/)** > > Farrah Forke. Actress: Heat. Farrah Forke was born on 12 January 1968 in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA. She was an actress and producer, known for Heat (1995), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993) and Wings (1990). She died on 25... I’m curious to see what any of you all who have read any of the books think. How do you picture Kinsey Millhone? ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/2 "2020-12-28T14:17:25Z")
I’ve read a few (when my g/f had them from the library !) For some reason i always pictured her with short hair. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/3 "2020-12-28T14:21:24Z")
> **[r/OldSchoolCool - Young Sigourney Weaver was cute as a button (1979)](https://www.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolCool/comments/hukvgb/young_sigourney_weaver_was_cute_as_a_button_1979/)** > > 2,220 votes and 125 comments so far on Reddit This is the first image to come to mind for me. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/4 "2020-12-28T15:17:39Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > I’ve just started reading Sue Grafton’s alphabet series, and so far I’m liking it. 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. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/5 "2020-12-28T15:29:59Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/6 "2020-12-28T17:59:05Z")
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). ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/7 "2020-12-28T18:42:43Z")
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](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083395/mediaviewer/rm1297334528/) in Cagney and Lacey. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/8 "2020-12-29T00:49:32Z")
I always picture her as looking like the [Drive version of Carey Mulligan](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780504/mediaviewer/rm4194549248/). However, if her family stay loyal to her wishes no-one will ever play the role. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2021, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/9 "2021-01-01T04:21:17Z")
> [@Author\_Balk](#): > > 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 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. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2021, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/10 "2021-01-01T07:29:45Z")
Been a while since I read any of the books, but I would go with Aly Michalka as [Peyton Charles](https://izombie.fandom.com/wiki/Peyton_Charles) in iZombie. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2021, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/11 "2021-01-01T13:36:59Z")
Rene Russo when she was younger. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/12 "2021-05-08T15:30:33Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/13 "2021-05-08T15:57:10Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > I’m about halfway through E is for Evidence, and still have a tough time picturing any one particular actress as Kinsey. Margaret Colin? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/14 "2021-05-08T18:06:16Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Margaret Colin She has played both police officers and private detectives on television. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/15 "2021-05-08T18:58:55Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/16 "2021-05-09T15:17:06Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/17 "2021-05-09T21:22:22Z")
I just thought of this thread yesterday when I was trimming my quarantine bangs with … nail scissors. > [@salinqmind1](#): > > 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. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/18 "2021-05-09T21:48:44Z")
> [@salinqmind1](#): > > One of my favorite actors ever is Maura Tierney, who is plain-but-pretty (or is it pretty-but-plain)… But is she cute? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Z7iU2HFUXaU/hqdefault.jpg "NewsRadio Clip - Pretty Vs. Cute") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7iU2HFUXaU) ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/19 "2021-05-10T04:51:02Z")
According to the choices here, pretty…She can be glammed up some, but no remarkable transformation. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106/20 "2021-05-10T06:11:04Z")
I always pictured [Ally Sheedy](https://images.app.goo.gl/jdxaqrW8eKfnXV4VA) or [Sharon Lawrence](https://images.app.goo.gl/NkGYX7jg7E6n1qnw8), personally. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinsey-millhone-from-the-alphabet-series-what-actress-do-you-picture-her-as/929106.md?page=2)