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Kyle Egan Richards Umansky (née Richards; born January 11, 1969)[1] is an American actress, socialite, and television personality.[2] Since 2010, she has appeared as a main cast member on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and as of 2019, is the last remaining original full time cast member on the show.
Kyle Richards | |
|---|---|
 Richards in 2014 | |
| Born | Kyle Egan Richards January 11, 1969 Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Education | Central Union High School |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1974–present |
| Known for | |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives |
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She began her career as a child actress, appearing in a recurring role on Little House on the Prairie, and in several adventure and horror films, including Tobe Hooper's Eaten Alive (1976), The Car (1977), and Walt Disney’s The Watcher in the Woods (1980), as well as portraying Lindsey Wallace in John Carpenter's Halloween (1978) and later Halloween Kills (2021) and its sequel, Halloween Ends (2022). In 2017, she was a contestant on The New Celebrity Apprentice (also known as The Celebrity Apprentice 8), playing for the charity Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
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Richards was born on January 11, 1969, in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.[1] She is the daughter of Kathleen Mary Richards (née Dugan) and Kenneth Edwin Richards.[3][4] She was named after Kyle Rote, a football player who played for the New York Giants.[5] The couple separated in 1972 and Kathleen later remarried twice more. Richards' siblings are Kathy Hilton (born 1959), her older half-sister from her mother's first marriage to Lawrence Avanzino, and Kim Richards (born 1964),[6] as well as three paternal half-siblings from her father's first marriage, all of whom were adults by the time Richards was born. Nicky and Paris Hilton are her nieces. In 1987, she graduated from Central Union High School in El Centro, California.[7]
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1974–2009: Career beginnings and success with horror films
Richards began her acting career in 1974, portraying Julia in the television series Police Woman. She appeared in 18 episodes of NBC's Western historical drama television series Little House on the Prairie as Alicia Sanderson Edwards. Her sister, Kim, was also an actress, who appeared in one episode of Little House on the Prairie, the season before Kyle joined the cast. The two sisters played on-screen sisters in the 1977 thriller film The Car. Through the 1970s, Richards appeared on several television series, such as Flying High, Vega$, Fantasy Island, Time Express and Carter Country.
Richards portrayed Lindsey Wallace in the slasher film Halloween (1978) alongside Jamie Lee Curtis. Halloween became a widely influential film within the horror genre; it was largely responsible for the popularization of slasher films in the 1980s and helped develop the slasher genre. The film grossed $70 million at the worldwide box office and subsequently expanded into a Halloween franchise with thirteen sequel films.[8][9] She portrayed Ellie Curtis in the supernatural horror film The Watcher in the Woods (1980) alongside Bette Davis. She had one of the main roles as teenager Lissy Preston in the fantasy sitcom Down to Earth (1984–1987), which ran for seven seasons. The series followed the Preston family in daily situations.
Subsequent roles included nurse Dori Kerns in 21 episodes of NBC's medical drama series ER (1998–2006) and Lisa, a supporting character in the comedy film National Lampoon's Pledge This! (2006).[10] She had guest roles in several television shows, including C.S.I., 7th Heaven, City Guys, Beverly Hills, 90210, Love Boat: The Next Wave, and CHiPs.
2010–2022: Real Housewives and Halloween films
Since 2010, she has appeared as a main cast member on Bravo's reality television show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Richards continued acting, and played Tricia in Lifetime's television film Deadly Sibling Rivalry (2011) and Housewife Heather in the comedy film The Hungover Games (2014). In 2012, she graced the magazine cover of The Hollywood Reporter along with other Real Housewives franchise's cast members Vicki Gunvalson, Ramona Singer, Caroline Manzo and NeNe Leakes.[11] She was nominated for "Reality Star of 2019" award at the 2019 People's Choice Awards.[12][13] In 2013, she portrayed modeling agent Casey McGraw in three episodes of NBC's soap opera Days of Our Lives.[14][15] In 2017, Richards appeared as a contestant on The New Celebrity Apprentice and earned $25,000 for her charity of choice, Children's Hospital Los Angeles.[16][17] She was the 5th contestant fired, finishing in 12th place.
Richards co-executive produced Paramount Network's comedy television series American Woman (2018), which was inspired by her childhood in the 1970s.[18][19][20] On August 30, 2019, it was confirmed that Richards would reprise the role of Lindsey Wallace, the role she originated in the original 1978 film, in Halloween Kills.[21][22] Following a year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Halloween Kills had its world premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 8, 2021, and was theatrically released in the United States on October 15, 2021, by Universal Pictures.[23][24] The film made $4.85 million from Thursday night previews, the biggest for both an R-rated title and a horror film amid the pandemic.[25] The film has grossed a total of $131 million at the worldwide box office and stands as one of the year's highest grossing horror movies behind A Quiet Place Part II.[26][27] Her performance in the film attracted positive reactions from fans.[28]
Richards starred in The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, a spin-off featuring various women from The Real Housewives franchise, that premiered on November 16, 2021, on Peacock.[29][30] In August 2021, Richards started filming a christmas film, The Real Housewives of the North Pole in Utah, which aired on Peacock on December 9, 2021.[31][28] The film follows two "Christmas Queens" Trish, played by Richards and Diana, portrayed by Betsy Brandt,[32] who take part in decorating contest every year, but the two get into an argument just days before Christmas.[33][34] On October 25, 2021, Entertainment Weekly released first photos of the film.[35] On December 7, 2021, People magazine announced that Richards was returning for the upcoming sequel Halloween Ends to reprise her role as Lindsey Wallace.[28] In 2022, she was nominated for the second time in the category "The Reality TV Star of 2022" at the People's Choice Awards.[36][37]
2023–present: Continued acting roles
On April 3, 2023, Variety reported that Richards landed the role of involved mother Lola in the LGBTQ romance film The Holiday Exchange alongside Rick Cosnett and Taylor Frey.[38] The film premiered on October 1, 2024 on streaming services Amazon Prime Video and Peacock.[39]
In May 2023, she had a guest role as socialite Missy Moritz in the Hulu sitcom How I Met Your Father.[40] She was one of the women included on Variety's "40 Most Powerful Women on Reality TV in 2023" list, with the magazine writing: "Richards has kept her head held high, and has become a household name, after having been a child actor. She's even resumed acting, having returned to the Halloween films she was featured in as a kid."[41] She played Vivian Hayes in the romantic comedy film Beautiful Wedding (2024), released in limited theaters on January 24, 2024.[42] In October 2024, Richards was chosen as Reality Star of the Year by Us Weekly magazine, and in the accompanying interview, Richards announced that she is producing new television shows with actress Reese Witherspoon.[43]
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On February 25, 2014, Richards launched a clothing line for shopping network HSN.[44] The eight-piece collection was inspired by her personal style and was priced between $69.90 and $199.90.[44] Richards and Shahida Clayton debuted their clothing collection titled Kyle x Shahida at New York Fashion Week on September 8, 2019.[45][46] Richards is the owner of Kyle by Alene Too, a chain of boutiques in The Hamptons and New York City.[47][48] Her boutique in Beverly Hills opened in 2012 and closed in 2018 with plans to re-open the store in a new location.[49] In November 2021, Richards opened a luxury resort and loungewear boutique Kyle x Shahida in Palm Desert.[50][51]
Her memoir titled Life Is Not a Reality Show: Keeping It Real with the Housewife Who Does It All was published by HarperOne on December 27, 2011.[52] Richards shares tips on relationships, family and beauty in the book.[53]
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With her husband, Richards is listed on the "First Families" of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles which means they have donated US$100,000 or more to the hospital.[54] She also held fundraisers for the CHLA in 2013 and 2019, which were featured on the Real Housewives.[55][56]
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She has ten small tattoos, including two butterflies, a cowboy hat and a four-leaf clover.[57][58]
Relationships and family
In the 1980s, she dated actor C. Thomas Howell.[59] In 1988, at the age of 19, Richards married Guraish Aldjufrie from Indonesia while she was pregnant with their daughter Farrah Brittany (born October 31, 1988), but they separated in 1990 and divorced two years later.[60][61][62]
Richards met her second husband, Mauricio Umansky, a Los Angeles real estate agent, in 1994. The couple wed on January 20, 1996, when Richards was four months pregnant. Their daughter, Alexia Simone, was born on June 18, 1996. The couple have two more daughters, Sophia Kylie (born January 18, 2000) and Portia (born March 1, 2008). Richards converted to Modern Orthodox Judaism when she married Umansky.[63][64][65] She attends events at the Kabbalah Centre in Los Angeles.[63]
She resides in Encino with her husband and children.[66]
On July 3, 2023, People magazine reported that Richards and Umansky had separated after 27 years of marriage.[67] The couple later released a joint statement which denied they were divorcing, but admitted that they were going through a difficult period in their marriage.[68]
Health
In December 2020, it was reported that Richards tested positive for COVID-19, along with her co-star Dorit Kemsley and sister Kathy Hilton. Production for season 11 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was temporarily suspended.[69]
In July 2022, Richards stopped drinking alcohol and began to focus more on fitness and exercising.[70] She discussed her fitness journey in a cover story for Us Weekly magazine in December 2023.[70]
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Film and television
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Police Woman | Julie Faulkner | Episode: "The Cradle Robbers" |
| 1975 | Escape to Witch Mountain | Young Tia Malone | Uncredited |
| 1975–1982 | Little House on the Prairie | Alicia Sanderson Edwards / Samantha | 19 episodes |
| 1976–1978 | Police Story | Viki Jo Vero / Shannon / Nance | 3 episodes |
| 1976 | Eaten Alive | Angie | |
| 1977 | A Circle of Children | Sarah | TV movie |
| The Car | Debbie | ||
| The Father Knows Best Reunion | Ellen | TV movie | |
| Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas | Ellen | TV movie | |
| 1978 | Halloween | Lindsey Wallace | |
| The Wonderful World of Disney | Naomi | Episode: "The Million Dollar Dixie Deliverance" | |
| Flying High | Katie | Episode: "The Vanishing Point" | |
| 1979 | Vega$ | Julie Travis | Episode: "Kill Dan Tanna!" |
| Fantasy Island | Rebecca | Episode: "Cornelius and Alfonse/The Choice" | |
| Time Express | Billie Jane Culper | Episode: "Rodeo/Cop" | |
| Carter Country | Gerry | 4 episodes | |
| Friendships, Secrets, and Lies | Livia | TV movie | |
| Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and Grill | Laurie Jean | TV movie | |
| 1980 | Once Upon a Family | Liz Demerjian | TV movie |
| The Watcher in the Woods | Ellie Curtis | ||
| Beulah Land | Young Sarah | TV mini-series | |
| 1981 | Concrete Cowboys | Isobel | Episode #1.1 |
| Halloween II | Lindsey Wallace | Archival footage | |
| Hellinger's Law | Julie Braden | TV movie | |
| 1982 | This is Kate Bennett ... | Jennifer Bennett | TV movie |
| CHiPs | Jodi | Episode: "The Spaceman Made Me Do It" | |
| 1984–1987 | Down to Earth | Elizabeth 'Lissy' Preston | 106 episodes |
| 1989 | Curfew | Stephanie Davenport | Lead role |
| 1990 | Escape | Lydia | |
| 1998 | Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher | N/A | Episode: "Model Citizen" |
| Love Boat: The Next Wave | Scheming Woman | Episode: "Captains Courageous" | |
| 1998–2006 | ER | Nurse Dori Kerns | 21 episodes |
| 1999 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Anna Murphy | Episode: "Bobbi Dearest" |
| City Guys | Kate | Episode: "Miracle on 134th Street and Lexington Avenue" | |
| 2003 | 7th Heaven | Matt's Patient | Episode: "Life and Death: Part 1" |
| 2006 | Pledge This! | Lisa | |
| 2011 | Deadly Sibling Rivalry | Tricia | Lifetime television film |
| 2012 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Ms. Young | Episode: "Play Dead" |
| 2013 | Days of Our Lives | Casey McGraw | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | The Hungover Games | Heather | |
| 2021 | The Prince | Kyle Richards | Voice; episode: "Beverly Hills" |
| The Housewives of the North Pole | Trish | Peacock original film[71] | |
| Halloween Kills | Lindsey Wallace | ||
| 2022 | Halloween Ends | ||
| 2023 | How I Met Your Father | Missy Moritz | Episode: "Family Business" |
| 2024 | The Holiday Exchange | Lola Williams | |
| Beautiful Wedding | Vivian Hayes |
As herself
| Year | Show | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2003–2006 | The Simple Life | 3 episodes |
| 2005 | I Want To Be a Hilton | 4 episodes |
| 2010–present | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Main cast; 281 episodes |
| 2013 | Vanderpump Rules | Episode: "Tooth or Consequences" |
| Betty White's Off Their Rockers | Episode: "Episode #2.8" | |
| 2013, 2022 | Whose Line Is It Anyway? | Episode: "Kyle Richards" and "Kyle Richards 2" |
| 2014 | The Doctors | Episode: "Compulsive Behaviors Triggered by Medication?/ Reality
Star Reveals Secret Health Struggle/Dangers of Prescription Drugs" |
| 2015–2024 | Entertainment Tonight | Guest and guest co-host; 21 episodes |
| 2015 | Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce | Episode: "Rule #58: Avoid the Douchemobile" |
| 2015–2016 | FabLife | 3 episodes |
| 2016, 2021 | Keeping Up with the Kardashians | Episode: "Lord of the Cougars" and "The End of An Era" |
| 2017 | The New Celebrity Apprentice | Contestant; 7 episodes |
| 2019 | Match Game | Episode: "Horatio Sanz/Sherri Shepherd/Thomas Lennon/
Ellie Kemper/ Kenan Thompson/Kyle Richards" |
| 2020 | Barkitecture | Episode: "Kyle Richards: Real Housedogs of Beverly Hills" |
| Celebrity Family Feud | Episode: "Andy Cohen vs. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
and Kevin Nealon vs. Drew Carey" | |
| 2021 | The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip | 7 episodes |
| 2022–2024 | Buying Beverly Hills[72] | 4 episodes |
| 2024 | We Are Family | Episode: "Who's Your Daddy?" |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | "G.U.Y." | Lady Gaga | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Band |
| 2023 | "Fall in Love with Me" | Morgan Wade | Love interest[73] |
As producer
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | American Woman | Co-executive producer | 11 episodes |
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| Year | Ceremony | Award | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films | Best Supporting Actress | The Watcher in the Woods | Nominated |
| Young Artist Awards | Best Young Motion Picture Actress | Nominated | ||
| 1984 | Best Young Actress in a Movie Made for Television | This Is Kate Bennett... | Nominated | |
| 1985 | Best Young Actor/Actress in a Cable Series or Program | Down to Earth | Nominated | |
| 2019 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite Reality TV Star | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Nominated |
| 2022 | MTV Movie & TV Awards | Most Frightened Performance | Halloween Kills | Nominated |
| People's Choice Awards | The Reality TV Star Of 2022 | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Nominated | |
| 2024 | People's Choice Awards | The Reality TV Star of the Year[74] | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Nominated |
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- Richards, Kyle (December 27, 2011). Life Is Not a Reality Show: Keeping It Real with the Housewife Who Does It All. New York, NY: HarperOne. ISBN 978-0062113481.
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