Architect's daughter Kay Johnson studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Art and first appeared on Broadway in the 1923 production of "Go West, Young Man". Her usual stage personae from then on were intelligent sophisticates. In 1929, she was "discovered" by Cecil B. DeMille during a performance of "The Silver Chord" in Los Angeles and, subsequently, cast in roles unworthy of her talents, such as "Dynamite", "Madame Satan" and "The Passion Flower". When not the lead, she was given a better chance in supporting roles, particularly in "Of Human Bondage" 1934) and "Jalna" (1935). She exited Hollywood in 1943 and returned to the stage, appearing with Ralph Bellamy in "State of the Union" in 1945.
Ex-mother-in-law of Julie Cobb.
Mother of actor James Cromwell.