Kathrine Baumann, a native of Independence, Ohio, embarked on a remarkable journey that would take her to the pinnacle of success. As a varsity cheerleader at Independence High School, she spent eight years perfecting her skills, a testament to her dedication and passion.
By 1970, Baumann's talents had earned her a spot as the first runner-up in the Miss America Pageant, where she excelled in the Talent and Swimsuit awards segments. Leveraging her Miss America scholarship funds, she pursued filmmaking courses at UCLA and spent a summer studying abroad at Oxford University, where she refined her craft under the guidance of renowned actor Agnes Moorehead.
Baumann's 15-year acting career was marked by numerous guest appearances on television productions, including M*A*S*H, Knight Rider, Simon and Simon, The Fall Guy, Fantasy Island, CHiPS, and The Dukes of Hazzard, among others. Her standout performance in the "Henry In Love" M*A*S*H episode, penned by Oscar-winning producer Larry Gelbart, is widely regarded as one of the top three M*A*S*H episodes ever made.
In 1988, Baumann launched "Kathrine Baumann Beverly Hills," a jewelry store in Beverly Hills, California, which eventually earned her the nickname "Beverly Hills Bag Lady." The store's pop-art/pro sports team themed handbags have solidified her reputation as the "Queen of Hollywood's Red Carpet," with clients ranging from Joan Rivers and Suzanne Somers to actress Bai Ling and Dionne Warwick. CNN has even dubbed her the "female Andy Warhol."
