Kim Winona

Kim Winona (born Constance Elaine Mackey; October 10, 1930 – June 23, 1978), also credited as Connie Buck, was an American actress, mostly playing Native American roles in Western television programs.

Early life Winona was born Constance Elaine Mackey in South Sioux City, Nebraska, the daughter of Elaine G. Melior. She lived in Spokane, Washington, as a girl. She was an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux people, and her mother was active in compiling records of Native American family trees.

Career Winona worked as a secretary and model when she first lived in Los Angeles. On television she had a regular role as Morning Star in Brave Eagle (1955–1956), of which she explained that "The script writers have never made me say 'Ugh', 'Me catchum this', or 'Me wantum wampum.'" The show was praised for casting several Native American actors in regular roles, and for having a Chippewa technical advisor. While in this role, she was a guest marshal of the Hesperia Days parade in Hesperia, California.

As Connie Buck, she also appeared in The Man Called X (1956), Bolt of Lightning (1957), Cheyenne (1958), The Rough Riders (1958), 26 Men (1957–1958), Northwest Passage (1959), Gunsmoke (1959), Black Saddle (1959), Bat Masterson (1960), and Rawhide (1959–1960). She had a role in the film Gun Fight (1961), and was hired to promote the film Apache (1954), despite not appearing in it.

Personal life Winona married four times and divorced three times. Her first husband was Harvey L. Buck; they married in 1949 in Spokane.