Karen Kuykendall was born Mary Karen Kook on November 19, 1937, third of eight children of Chester Louis Koock and Mary Faulk. She was a fifth generation Austinite who was raised at the family’s south Austin antebellum mansion, which the family converted into the restaurant known as Green Pastures in 1946. Beginning at a very young age, Kuykendall demonstrated a talent and interest in acting and joined Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s Children’s Theater of Austin troupe. She acted and sang in many performances and venues across Austin and the US, but some of her most memorable were at Austin’s Zachary Scott Theatre Center. In recognition of her talent and contribution to Austin theatre, Zachary Scott Theatre named their newest stage in her honor. In a 25-year artistic partnership with Sterling Price-McKinney, Austin composer and musician, Kuykendall performed cabaret under the name Café Manhattan. Kuykendall was involved with many Austin’s arts and civic organizations and received numerous awards for her work. In addition to her career in the arts, Kuykendall also had a very successful career in realty. Karen Kuykendall died on October 31, 2007 after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2006.

The following sources were consulted for the preparation of the biographical note: Karen Kuykendall Obituary, November 2-4, 2007.