Karen Arthur

Karen Arthur (born August 24, 1941) is an American television and film director, producer, and actress. She directed more than 40 feature and made-for-television movies, miniseries, and television series. In 1985, she became the first woman to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series.

Arthur began her career as an actress, appearing in the 1967 romantic comedy film A Guide for the Married Man, and later co-starred in the drama film Winning (1969). She made several guest-starring appearances on television series before making her directorial debut with the 1975 crime drama film, Legacy, which received a special prize at the Locarno Film Festival. She later directed feature films The Mafu Cage (1978) and Lady Beware (1987).

Early life and education Karen Arthur was born on August 24, 1941 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Career Arthur made her television debut appearing in an episode of NBC sitcom The Monkees in 1966 and the following year featured in the romantic comedy film A Guide for the Married Man. In 1969, Arthur played a supporting role in the drama film Winning opposite Paul Newman. She also made more than 15 guest-starring appearances on television series such as The Wild Wild West, The Big Valley, That Girl, Get Smart, The Doris Day Show, Mannix, Ironside and The Streets of San Francisco.

In 1975, Arthur made her directorial debut with the crime drama film Legacy starring Joan Hotchkis. She later directed three more feature films, including Lady Beware (1987) and The Mafu Cage (1978),

She worked as an episodic director on Hart to Hart, Remington Steele, Emerald Point N.A.S. and most notable Cagney & Lacey (8 episodes). In 1985, she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series (for an episode of Cagney & Lacey), becoming the first woman to do so.

Arthur directed many various made-for-television movies and miniseries, such as Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story (1984), A Bunny's Tale (1985), The Rape of Richard Beck (1985), Bridge to Silence (1989), Fall from Grace (1990), Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story (1995), Dead By Sunset (1995), True Women (1997) and A Will of Their Own (1998).

As of 2008 she was a resident of the town of Springfield, Vermont.

Partial filmography

+ List of film and television works Title Year Notes The Christmas Blessing 2005 TV movie Judging Amy TV series The Locket 2002 TV movie The Song of the Lark 2001 TV movie, based on The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather The Lost Child 2000 TV movie The Staircase 1998 TV movie Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story 1995 TV movie The Jacksons: An American Dream 1992 TV miniseries The Secret 1992 TV movie Shadow of a Doubt 1991 TV movie Blue Bayou 1990 TV movie Lady Beware 1987 Film Crossings 1986 TV miniseries Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story 1984 TV movie Cagney & Lacey TV series Remington Steele TV series Hart to Hart 1979 TV series The Mafu Cage 1978 Film Legacy 1975 Film Like It Is (re-released asNot My Daughter) 1970 / 1971 Film, final big screen appearance, co-starring in 1970 exploitation film whose 1971 straight-to-drive-in re-release was advertised as "A TRUE STORY DESCRIBED IN THE LURID LANGUAGE KNOWN ONLY BY TODAY'S YOUTH" Mannix 1970 TV series, Season 4 Ep. 11 "Bang Bang, You Are Dead" Get Smart 1969 TV series, Season 5 Ep.7 "And Baby Makes Four Part.1" The Wild Wild West 1967 TV series, Season 3 Ep.15 "The Night of the Running Death"