Life and career

Lankford was born in Montebello, California. She made her screen debut in 1976 movie Harry and Walter Go to New York, and later began television career appearing in episodes of sitcoms such as Happy Days. In 1978, she was cast as female lead opposite Joe Namath in the short-lived NBC sitcom The Waverly Wonders. Later that year, she played the leading role in the teen comedy film Malibu Beach.

In 1979, Lankford was cast as Ginger Ward, one of original lead characters, in the CBS prime time soap opera Knots Landing. She starred on show during first four season, before leaving in 1983. In 1980, she also had role opposite Chuck Norris in the action film The Octagon, and the following years co-starred with Don Meredith in thriller Terror Among Us. After leaving Knots Landing, she guest-starred on Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, and Cheers. In 1988, she had supporting role in the horror film Cameron's Closet, and was regular cast member in the ABC detective drama Murphy's Law.

Lankford spend 1990s playing guest starring roles on television series such as In the Heat of the Night, Chicago Hope and Diagnosis: Murder, and well as appearing in films Missing Pieces (1992) and Night of the Running Man (1995). She reprised her Knots Landing character in Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac in 1997. After retirement from acting, Lankford created own horse business in Colorado called Kim Lankford's Living Horsemanship.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Lankford lived with, and was romantically involved with, Warren Zevon. Lankford was close friend with Susan Berman. She dated Robert Durst, who murdered Berman in 2000. In 2015, Lankford has appeared in HBO documentary series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst.

Filmography

Film

Television

[ Source: Wikipedia ]