ACTOR · BORN 1959
Kasi Lemmons
- Born
- 24 February 1959, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Known for
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Vampire's Kiss (1988), Hard Target (1993)
18 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
Kasi Lemmons (born 24 February 1959) is an actor best known for The Silence of the Lambs, Vampire's Kiss and Hard Target.
18 Interesting Facts About Kasi Lemmons
Characters & Cast (8)
- #001
In 2001, she served on the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival, one of the most prestigious events in independent cinema. Her jury service is proof that Lemmons is recognized not only as a director but also as an important figure in the world of cinema.
- #002
Kasi Lemmons's name is often mispronounced by English speakers; the correct pronunciation is 'Casey.' The name is of Finnish origin and means 'eight,' and it is part of her unique identity. Although Lemmons sometimes has to correct people on the pronunciation of her name, she takes it with humor.
- #003
Kasi Lemmons holds an important place in American film history as both an actor and a director. As an actor, she appeared in 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), which was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically' significant. As a director, she drew attention with 'Eve's Bayou' (1997), which also entered the same registry. These two films were turning points in both her acting and directing careers.
- #004
On the 2021 program 'Finding Your Roots,' Kasi Lemmons's family history was researched and significant information came to light. On the program, it was learned that her third great-grandfather was brought from Africa to the United States through the slave trade. It was also discovered that she is a distant relative of the famous actor Kevin Bacon. These findings revealed her family's connection to the history of slavery and its deep roots in American society.
- #005
On 'Finding Your Roots,' Kasi Lemmons conducted an in-depth investigation into her family's origins. She learned that her paternal great-great-great-grandfather was probably born in Africa and was brought to the United States in the early 1800s. His son Primus believed that the family name was already 'Lemons' or a variation of it in Africa. This discovery helped Lemmons understand her family's difficult journey during the era of slavery and its efforts to preserve its identity.
- #006
As a director, Kasi Lemmons has guided an actor to an Oscar nomination: Cynthia Erivo was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in the 2019 film 'Harriet.' This achievement demonstrates Lemmons's ability to draw the best performance out of her actors and her positive effect on their careers. 'Harriet' is an important historical film about the life of the abolitionist activist Harriet Tubman.
- #007
Kasi Lemmons is the sister-in-law of fashion designer Kevan Hall. Kevan Hall is the founder of a fashion house favored by Hollywood celebrities. This family tie refers to her relation to Hall, who is married to the sister of Lemmons's husband, Vondie Curtis-Hall. This family, in which the worlds of art and fashion intertwine, strengthened Lemmons's connections with the creative people around her.
- #008
Kasi Lemmons's name means 'eight' in Finnish. This name offers clues about her origins and cultural diversity. Although Lemmons often has to explain the meaning of her name, she uses it as a conversation starter. This meaning in Finnish adds a different depth to her art and her personality.
Career & Awards (3)
- #009
In 2001, Kasi Lemmons served on the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival, one of the most prestigious events in independent cinema. The role reflects her standing in the industry and her contributions to independent film. Her jury service is evidence that she is recognized not only as a director but also as a major figure in the film world.
- #010
Kasi Lemmons holds an important place in American film history as both an actor and a director. As an actor, she appeared in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), which was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically" significant. As a director, she drew attention with Eve's Bayou (1997), which also entered the same registry. These two films were turning points in both her acting and directing careers.
- #011
As a director, Kasi Lemmons guided an actor to an Oscar nomination: Cynthia Erivo was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in the 2019 film Harriet. This achievement shows Lemmons's ability to draw the best performance from her actors and her positive effect on their careers. Harriet is an important historical film about the life of the abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
Life & Family (7)
- #012
Kasi Lemmons raised two children with her husband, actor and director Vondie Curtis-Hall: their son Henry Hunter Hall, born in 1996, and their daughter Zora Hall, born in 1999. The family is known for maintaining a balanced private life amid Hollywood's demanding pace. Throughout her career, Lemmons has kept family life a priority and taken an active role in raising her children.
- #013
Kasi Lemmons's name is often mispronounced by English speakers; it is correctly pronounced "Casey." The name is of Finnish origin and means "eight," and it is part of her unique identity. Although Lemmons sometimes has to correct people on the pronunciation of her name, she takes the situation with humor.
- #014
On the 2021 program Finding Your Roots, Kasi Lemmons's family history was researched and significant information came to light. The program revealed that her third great-grandfather was brought from Africa to the United States through the slave trade. It was also discovered that she is a distant relative of the famous actor Kevin Bacon. These findings laid bare her family's connection to the history of slavery and its deep roots in American society.
- #015
On Finding Your Roots, Kasi Lemmons conducted a deep investigation into her family's origins. She learned that her paternal great-great-great-grandfather was probably born in Africa and was brought to the United States in the early 1800s. His son Primus believed the family name was already "Lemons" or a variation of it in Africa. This discovery helped Lemmons understand her family's difficult journey during the era of slavery and its efforts to preserve its identity.
- #016
Kasi Lemmons was born the daughter of Dorothy Othello (Stallworth), a counselor and psychologist, and Milton Francis Lemmons, a biology teacher. She spent much of her childhood in Boston. Her parents' professions in education and psychology played an important role in her artistic and intellectual development. This family environment shaped Lemmons's interest in cinema and her sensitivity to social issues.
- #017
Kasi Lemmons is the sister-in-law of fashion designer Kevan Hall. Kevan Hall is the founder of a fashion house favored by Hollywood celebrities. This family tie refers to her relation to Hall, who is married to the sister of Lemmons's husband, Vondie Curtis-Hall. This family, in which the worlds of art and fashion intertwine, strengthened Lemmons's connections to the creative people around her.
- #018
Kasi Lemmons's name means "eight" in Finnish. The name offers clues about her origins and cultural diversity. Although Lemmons often has to explain the meaning of her name, she uses the situation as a conversation starter. This Finnish meaning adds a different depth to her art and personality.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
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