In the late 70s, few could tune into NBC’s Saturday morning children’s programming without encountering the iconic “Land of the Lost.” Among the diverse characters was young Holly Marshall, played by Kathy Coleman. Her youthful curiosity and brave character resonated with many viewers, earning her a place in their hearts. But after the curtains closed on the Marshalls’ adventures, many fans began to ask: what ever happened to Kathy Coleman?
Background Information and Early Roles
Born in Waltham, Massachusetts, on December 18, 1962, Coleman fell into acting almost by accident. It was during a shopping trip with her mother that she was approached by a talent scout. Before long, she found herself doing commercials and gradually moved into the television and film industry.
Kathy Coleman’s first job was in the theater, where she played Baby June in “Gypsy”. Her first professional job was a Shakey’s Pizza commercial where she played Goldilocks. She then went on to do a bunch of commercials and was part of a singing group for two years, doing two national tours before landing the role in “Land of the Lost”.
Coleman mentioned that she was up against Christy McNichol for a role in “Run Joe Run” a week before the “Land of the Lost” auditions. She didn’t get the part in “Run Joe Run”, but if she had, she would have missed the audition for “Land of the Lost”.
Land of the Lost
In 1974, at age 11, she was cast by Sid and Marty Krofft to play Holly on Land of the Lost. She landed the role of Holly Marshall after seven callbacks, and her mother’s idea of dressing her in a checkered shirt, pants, desert boots, and braids became the character’s signature look.
The show followed a family – father Rick Marshall and his two children Will and Holly – who become trapped in an alternate prehistoric dimension inhabited by dinosaurs, ape-like humans called Pakuni, and reptilian humanoids called Sleestak.
Coleman starred as Holly for all three seasons of the show from 1974 to 1976, becoming one of the most recognizable child stars of the decade. Her chemistry with co-stars Spencer Milligan and Wesley Eure made the Marshall family come alive on-screen.
Her performance in “Land of the Lost” was not only impressive but impactful. Coleman’s Holly Marshall was not the stereotypical damsel-in-distress but a smart, adventurous, and brave young woman.
After Land of the Lost
The show ended due to its high production costs and other factors, such as Coleman’s growth making her almost as tall as her on-screen older brother. After the show, Coleman continued to audition for roles until she drifted out of acting. She got married, started a family, and even spent five years on a dairy farm in Nevada. She also started a successful cleaning business in the Los Angeles area.
Where is Kathy Coleman Now?
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Fast forward to 2023, Kathy Coleman remains an intriguing figure in the entertainment industry. Despite facing hardships, including health issues and personal struggles, she continues to remain positive and active.
In recent years, Coleman has reconnected with the Land of the Lost fanbase by attending conventions and publishing two memoirs about her life and career – Lost Girl in 2015 and Run Holly Run in 2017.
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She has also ventured into the podcasting world. Her show, “The Land of the Lost Podcast,” offers listeners a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show, and features interviews with other cast members, crew, and fans of the iconic series.
Additionally, Coleman remains involved in her local community, participating in charity events and volunteering. She is also an advocate for mental health awareness and uses her platform to help others facing similar struggles.
Coleman remains close friends with her former co-stars Wesley Eure and Spencer Milligan to this day and says they are like family.
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