If Kathrine Baumann can’t make you smile, she’s not about to give up. Kathy Lynn Baumann grew up in the small town of Independence, Ohio, where she tapped into her enthusiasm, strength, and determination at an early age. These traits combined with her sunny “can do” attitude and amazing talents propelled this winner to the top.
In 1970, Kathrine fulfilled one of her dreams by winning first runner-up in the Miss America Pageant and the coveted Talent and Swimsuit awards out of 70,000 contestants. Using her Miss America scholarship funds, Kathrine enrolled in filmmaking courses at UCLA and spent a summer studying abroad at Oxford University. Kathrine also studied acting under the auspices of the renowned actor, Agnes Moorhead.
During her 15-year acting career, Ms. Baumann guest-starred in a variety of television productions including M*A*S*H*, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Knight Rider, Simon and Simon, The Fall Guy, Fantasy Island, Trapper John M.D., CHIPS, Dukes of Hazard, Vega$ and several Movies of the Week. The “Henry In Love” M*A*S*H* episode, written for Kathrine by Oscar-winning producer Larry Gelbart, is ranked as one of the top three M*A*S*H* episodes along with those guest-starring John Ritter and Robin Williams. Ms. Baumann co-starred with Jane Seymour in the #1-rated Movie of the Week, “The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders”, which remains one of Kathrine’s favorite roles since she portrayed the "bad girl" rather than being cast in the usual girl-next-door role. While under contract to 20th Century Fox, Ms. Baumann’s film credentials included a co-starring role with Richard Harris and Chuck Connors in “99 44/100% Dead.”
Known for her talent, charm and classic beauty, Kathrine was selected as the spokeswoman for such mega companies as Schlitz, Rubbermaid, The Family Fitness Centers, and Chrysler. Ms. Baumann was also featured in several top selling posters along with the legendary Farrah Fawcett from Charlie’s Angels.
At the height of her acting career, Kathrine was involved in an accident that left her with 272 stitches in her left leg, one of a pair that had been titled “The Most Beautiful” by Hollywood studios and admitted her to the ranks of Marlene Dietrich, Betty Grable, Ann Margaret, Raquel Welch, and Marilyn Monroe. In spite of the sudden end to her movie career, Ms. Baumann was determined to triumph in the face of adversity and turned to art and design to reinvent herself. Her art work was featured in the window of Rodeo Drive’s Dyansen Gallery along with artists including Norman Rockwell, Frank Galo, and Erte.
In a supreme act of faith and armed with unwavering “purse"-erverance, Baumann launched Kathrine Baumann Beverly Hills and is now affectionately celebrated as the “Beverly Hills Bag Lady.” Combining her natural talent for design with her showmanship and experience in marketing and as a spokesperson and as an actress, Ms. Baumann creates whimsical and couture minaudières that have established her as the “Queen of Hollywood’` Red Carpet.” This world-renowned “Beverly Hills Bag Lady,” touted by CNN as the “female Andy Warhol,” has certainly come a long way from those humble beginnings in Independence, Ohio.
“If it makes you smile, it’s my bag”
-Kathrine Baumann
