Kim Darby is an American actress best known for her defining lead role in the 1967 classic Western "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," which established her as a prominent figure in Hollywood at a young age. This profile examines Darby’s career trajectory, her most significant screen performances, and how her IMDb record reflects a blend of iconic early work and sustained, though less frequent, projects over decades. Drawing on verified credits and industry sources, it explains her standing among classic-era actresses and the lasting recognition she maintains through both her breakout performance and measured later work.
Early Life and Entry Into Acting
Born Deborah Zerby in Los Angeles in 1947, Darby began her career as a model before transitioning into acting in the mid 1960s. Her first notable screen exposure came through television appearances, after which she was cast in a major studio Western that would become her signature role. These formative experiences shaped her public identity and established a foundation that would later be cataloged in detail on IMDb, including birth name, date of birth, and physical attributes listed in her profile.
Breakout Role: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Darby’s casting as Sundance Kid’s girlfriend, Etta Place, in George Roy Hill’s 1969 film (released in 1967) brought her widespread recognition at age 20. The movie’s enduring popularity continues to anchor her public recognition, and her performance remains a touchstone in discussions of 1960s Westerns and the representation of women in the genre. This role dominates summaries of her work on IMDb and is typically the first significant credit visible in her filmography.
Impact on Career and Public Perception
While Darby appeared in other film and television projects before and after this film, the long term cultural memory of her career is closely tied to Butch Cassidy. Industry narratives often emphasize the challenges of transitioning from such a high profile debut into a sustained career, and IMDb reflects this pattern through a filmography that alternates between notable supporting roles and long gaps between releases.
Verified Filmography Highlights
Beyond her signature Western, Darby’s verified IMDb credits include a range of genre films and television guest spots that illustrate the breadth of her early work. These entries document her activity in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as well as her more limited output in later decades.
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid | 1969 | Etta Place | Signature role; major Western |
| The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid | 1972 | Emma | Supporting role in crime drama |
| Welcome to Hard Times | 1967 | Anna Trumbo | Early leading role in Western |
| The Name of the Game | 1968 1970 | Various TV roles | Notable television guest appearances |
| The Rebels | 1971 | Lorna | TV movie; lead performance |
Television Work and Later Career
Darby’s television credits span both the late night action drama era and later episodic appearances, demonstrating versatility across formats. Her work includes recurring and guest roles in series well known during their original runs, and these performances are consistently documented in her IMDb profile under the television section.
- Notable guest spots in genre series such as The Name of the Game and The F.B.I.
- Lead television movie roles in the 1970s, including The Rebels (1971).
- Reduced but documented activity in the 1980s and beyond, with select appearances that maintain her visibility on IMDb.
Personal Background and Public Identity
Darby has been private about personal matters, but publicly available biographies confirm key biographical details that align with her IMDb entries. These include her date of birth, birth name, and family background, all of which contribute to the structured identity presented on her profile page.
Legacy and Recognition in Film History
Although Darby’s output slowed after the 1970s, her legacy is anchored by the enduring popularity of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Film historians and audiences continue to reference her performance, and this ongoing recognition is reflected in how her IMDb page remains one of the first results when searching her name.
Comparative Context Among Classic Actresses
Compared with peers who debuted in similar era Westerns, Darby’s IMDb profile is distinguished by a combination of a high profile breakout and a relatively lean subsequent filmography. This pattern shapes how she is discussed in retrospectives and influences her placement in curated lists related to classic Hollywood and Western cinema.
How to Interpret an IMDb Profile
An IMDb page for an actor or actress typically includes filmography, personal details, and user contributed data such as ratings and photos. For Kim Darby, her profile emphasizes her early lead role while also preserving a record of later work, even when that work was infrequent. Understanding how these fields are populated can help contextualize her visibility and the longevity of her online presence.
- Filmography sections list verified credits in chronological order.
- Personal details, including date of birth and known for tags, support accurate identification.
- Ratings and user reviews reflect ongoing audience interest in key titles.
Conclusion
Kim Darby’s career is defined by a memorable debut in a landmark Western and a subsequent pattern of selective projects that still earn her measurable recognition decades later. Her IMDb record captures this arc, balancing her breakthrough performance with a curated, though sometimes sparse, professional history. For researchers, journalists, and fans, her profile remains a reliable, verifiable source for understanding her place in Hollywood.