Kim Johnston Ulrich was once a staple on daytime soaps, most notably for her role as Ivy Winthrop on Passions from 1999-2008. As one of the NBC supernatural soap’s longest running cast members, fans came to know and love Ulrich in the role of the manipulative matriarch. But after Passions ended, Ulrich slowly faded from the spotlight over the past decade.
So what happened to this talented actress after her long soap career?
Kim Johnston Ulrich was born Kim Charisse Johnston in Ripon, California. She earned an Associate of Arts degree in fashion merchandising from Modesto Junior College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in art from California State University, Stanislaus. Before becoming an actress, she worked as a model, appearing in national magazines.
Acting Career
Kim Johnston Ulrich has had a prolific career in film and television spanning over three decades. She got her start in daytime soap operas, playing Diana McColl on As the World Turns from 1983-1985. This led to small roles in popular 80s shows like Remington Steele, The A-Team, and Cheers.
Johnston Ulrich’s career really took off in the 1990s. She appeared in TV movies like Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Grimacing Governor in 1994. She also had recurring roles on series like Highlander and Murder, She Wrote. Her versatility was on display in genres ranging from legal dramas to supernatural shows.
Rumpelstiltskin
In 1995, Johnston Ulrich got her big break when she was cast in the movie Rumpelstiltskin alongside Max Grodénchik.
Rumpelstiltskin is a fantasy horror film based on the classic fairy tale. In the movie, a wicked sorcerer named Rumpelstiltskin is trapped in a statue for centuries until he is accidentally freed by a curious young girl named Emily (played by Amy Irving). Kim Johnston Ulrich plays the role of a caring mother named Katie in the film. As the story unfolds, Rumpelstiltskin seeks to capture Emily and use her for his evil plans, and Katie becomes determined to protect her daughter from the malevolent sorcerer’s sinister intentions.
Passions
Ulrich’s biggest role came in 1999 as Ivy Winthrop on the NBC soap Passions, which she was on until its end in 2008. She loved the supernatural elements and working with the cast. Ivy went through wild storylines like going to hell and being in a wheelchair. Her favorite tales were the supernatural ones with witch Tabitha.
Memorable Storylines
Some of Ulrich’s favorite Passions storylines were when Ivy interacted with the witch characters. Her least favorite was the wheelchair plotline that lasted two years. She grew close to her castmates, keeping in touch still.
Passions Reunion Hopes
If a Passions reunion occurred, Ulrich would reprise her role as Ivy in a heartbeat. She thinks Ivy today would run her own company as a CEO. She’s proud of former co-star Lindsay Korman’s move into directing.
Post-Passions Career
After Passions, Ulrich continued acting in various TV series and TV mini-series. She played Janet Olson in “Major Crimes” in 2014 and portrayed Lenanne Dagmar in “Castle” the same year. In 2017, she had a role as Connie in the TV mini-series “Law & Order True Crime.” Continuing her TV roles, she portrayed Caitlin Andrews in “Drop Dead Diva” in 2012. Her work in television also included a guest role as Alice in the TV series “The Rookie” in 2018. Her last acting credit came in 2019 for the small budget thriller Chain of Death.
Ulrich taken on any roles since the pandemic began. She’s open to joining another soap, ideally as an “older, bitchier Ivy.”
Where is Kim Johnston Ulrich Now?
Kim Johnston Ulrich is still retired from acting and keeps busy by spending quality time with her family, including babysitting her grandson.
During the pandemic, her daughter came back home from college and attended courses online. Kim also started remodeling her house before the pandemic, and the project is ongoing. Additionally, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs.
Her husband, Robert J. Ulrich, is a casting director for Amazon’s original show “The Boys” and FOX’s new show “Monarch.” Kim’s son works in the industry as a cinematographer.