Katharine ‘Kat’ Kramer is an accomplished producer, actress, singer, dancer, journalist, activist, and the Vice President of KNK Productions, Inc. and The Stanley Kramer Library. She founded “Kat Kramer’s Films that Change the World” to showcase motion pictures that raise awareness of important social issues. She follows in the footsteps of her late father, the legendary producer/director Stanley Kramer, who was known for taking artistic and financial risks by making movies about controversial subjects.
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| Kat Kramer |
Kat has appeared in such films as Going Shopping, Hollywood
Dreams, What Just Happened?, and Little Fockers. She currently
Co-Stars in the upcoming Season 5 of the popular web series Child of the
70’s. Kat has headlined at Awards shows and Galas for such luminaries as
Shirley MacLaine, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci. She is a former Miss Golden
Globe and proudly serves on the Advisory Board of the prestigious LA Press
Club. Kat is the Godchild/Namesake of screen icon Katharine Hepburn and the
West Coast Representative of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center.
I had the opportunity to
catch-up with Kat and chat with her for our 3rd interview, which I’m
grateful. We’re at the beginning of Awards Season and Kat as a long-time
Hollywood insider, always has a unique perspective, the current pulse on what’s
happening, and helpful words of advice for those pursuing a career in the film industry.
Ann: What are some of your favorite films from 2018
that you’re rooting for during this awards season and/or which ones do you
predict will win the most awards?
Kat: There are so many, Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse, Dumplin', Bohemian Rhapsody,
The Favourite, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, BlacKkKlansman,
On The Basis Of Sex, Cold War, Boy Erased, Girl, If Beale Street Could Talk, The Wife, Mary Poppins
Returns, and A Star Is Born,
since I'm a musical performer at heart, and many documentaries such as Quincy, RBG, Free Solo, and Jane Fonda In Five Acts. I can't
predict which ones will win. There are many award shows over the next
couple months and Oscar nominations are announced on January 22nd. I did
predict Rami Malek and Bohemian Rhapsody
would win at the Golden Globes. Sam Elliott
makes his scenes work in A Star Is Born
like he always does.
Ann: You’ve grown-up in Hollywood surrounded by the
most talented actresses and actors in film & TV, is there anyone you
haven’t met that you’d like to meet one day?
Kat: Well, I was born in Hollywood, but grew up
in the Seattle area and New York City. I moved back after having been a child
performer and met all of my idols, which makes me very lucky; mostly music
idols. I did meet the late David Bowie very briefly, but didn't have a
chance to meet him properly, so that was a loss. Would have liked to have met
Aretha Franklin. I would like to meet Rami Malek as I haven't had the chance
yet, even though he was at the Golden Globes a couple weeks ago. His
performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian
Rhapsody is brilliant, so that would be my current wish.
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| Lily Tomlin & Kat Kramer |
Ann: How many acting classes do you think you’ve
taken, during your acting career, and what is one of the most important things
you learned through your training that had a strong impact on you?
Kat: Well, I aspire to be a triple threat; I’ve been trained in acting,
singing, and dancing with many different teachers. As for acting, I always
rely on my own method when approaching a role. But, the late Herbert Berghof
told me, "Use your imagination;" I always follow that advice.
Ann: Do you prefer acting roles in comedy or would you like to perform
more in serious dramas?
Kat: I prefer both. They are the same in the sense that you have to
work from a place of truth. I have recently done comedic and dramatic
roles. Sometimes a black comedy or dramedy requires both comedic and dramatic
skills. Musical theatre is primarily acting, but incorporates music and dance.
Ann: Can you share the names of one
female actress and one male actor whom you’d love to work with in a film?
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| Jane Fonda & Kat Kramer |
Ann: Your mother, Karen Sharpe-Kramer, was a
successful actress who worked with some of the top actors in her day, what is
one thing she taught you that helped you in your acting career?
Kat: My mother is my manager and we're producing partners; I've learned more from her than anyone else. She always stresses the importance of learning ones craft and health and stamina as keys to longevity in show business.
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| Kat Kramer & Lily Tomlin |
Ann: Your father, Stanley Kramer, was a successful director, what did you learn from him that improved your skills as an actress?
Kat: My father, Stanley Kramer was a filmmaker; a
director/producer who was also a writer and editor in the beginning of his
career. He taught me to "take the work seriously, but yourself not at
all."
Ann: You and your mom, Karen Sharpe-Kramer, created The Stanley Kramer Award to be presented at the Producer's Guild of America Awards each year, what is the award for and who is receiving it this year?
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| Kat Kramer & Jane Fonda photo by Sheri Determan |
Kat: When my father passed away in 2001, my mother, who oversees the
Stanley Kramer Legacy, went to the Producer's Guild of America, of which she was
a member, and asked them to establish an award in his name to honor films,
filmmakers, and individuals who carry on the Stanley Kramer Legacy and who make
social justice films. My father was a filmmaker, but he made his mark as a
producer and she felt the PGA could benefit from an award that recognized
filmmakers of conscience. The first Stanley Kramer award was given to I Am Sam in 2002, and I've been actively
involved since the beginning helping to find the honorees. Some of these
include Angelina Jolie for her
directorial debut of In The Land Of Blood
And Honey, which she also produced, Sean Penn for his activism, The Antwone Fisher Story, Good
Night and Good Luck, An Inconvenient Truth, MILK, Precious, Hotel Rwanda, The Normal
Heart, Fruitvale Station, The Hunting Ground, Loving, and Get Out. The 2019 honoree is Jane
Fonda for her activism, producing of social issue films, and body of work,
which will be presented to her at the Producer’s Guild of America Awards on Saturday,
January 19th. I've always wanted Jane to get the Stanley Kramer
award and now it's finally happening!
Ann: You and I have always been
fans of the Netflix comedy series, Grace
and Frankie, starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin both of whom you know quite
well. Why do you believe it's as successful with the younger generation as it is
with the older?
Kat:
It's my favorite Netflix comedy and the show I most support and follow. This is
largely because of Lily, Jane, and Martin Sheen who has been involved with Kat Kramer's Films That Change The World
and hosted the 7th Anniversary; we presented the film he starred in BHOPAL: A Prayer For Rain. In Grace and Frankie, I love the story line
between Robert and Sol, played by another favorite, Sam Waterston. But, it's the
comedic situations that the characters, Grace and Frankie, find themselves in that make it funny. It's no secret I would love
to be on the show, which was already renewed for a 6th season, or I’d at least like
to be considered for a guest appearance. I've been lucky to have met most of
the cast and creators and many of my colleagues have guest starred. I've also
made a few suggestions to the powers that be and I'm glad they listened and
incorporated my ideas. One was the interracial marriage between Bud and
Allison, because my father made the 1967 interracial film classic Guess Who's Coming To Dinner and I felt
that Bud who is African American should have a Caucasian love interest.
As
you know I work with the deaf community in entertainment and they included deaf
talent in Season 3, which I advocated for. I’ve been trying to reunite Lily
with my friend Ed Asner and I've been developing a film project with a writer
and some producers for them, because they co-starred together back in the
1990's in a popular Christmas episode of X-Files.
Our project hasn't happened yet, but it was nice to see Ed as a guest star with
Lily on Season 5 of Grace and Frankie.
Ann: Do
you have any current films or projects you’re working on that you can share
with us to give us something to look forward to?
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| Kat, Daniel Hoffman, Paul Guilfoyle Turnover Photo by Sheri Determan |
Kat: I
have many up-coming projects, including a re-vamped version of my solo show, My Duet with Mick. There is the final
season of the web series, Child Of The
70's, where I’m a cast regular and associate producer; season 5 debuts on
February 1st. Can't give too much away as I created a new character that I’m
keeping under wraps. There are two short films I'm acting in: one is about the
effects of Alzheimer’s disease called, Mother's
Day Memories, and the other one is titled, Fate's Shadow, where I appear with my mother; that's a short about
reincarnation written, co-directed, and starring Michelle Arthur. It will be
made into a feature film as well, and we are set for that version. And last but
not least, the much anticipated film, TURNOVER,
which I play Fran Parveau; it's an indie feature dramedy, a foodie film that
celebrates diversity and inclusion. It was directed by the
dynamic Linda Palmer-Cardone,
who also co-wrote with Laree Griffiths. It's a mostly female producing team and
crew. We have a strong ensemble cast which includes deaf and down syndrome
talent in supporting roles. I'm also a co-producer and we plan to hit the Film
Festival circuit before a theatrical release.
Ann: Thank
you, Kat, for taking the time to interview with me.
To
learn more about Kat Kramer you can visit her website http://katharinekramer.com/ and connect
with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/katharine.kramer.92
.
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