Kyle Egan Richards Umansky (née Richards; born January 11, 1969) is an American actress, socialite, and television personality. Since 2010, she has appeared as a main cast member on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and as of 2025, is the last remaining original full time cast member on the show.
She began her career as a child actress, appearing in a
recurring role as Alicia
Sanderson-Edwards on Little House on the Prairie, and in several adventure
and horror films, including Tobe Hooper's Eaten Alive (1976), The Car (1977),
and Walt Disney’s The Watcher in the Woods (1980), as well as portraying
Lindsey Wallace in John Carpenter's Halloween (1978) and later Halloween Kills
(2021) and its sequel, Halloween Ends (2022). In 2017, she was a contestant on
The New Celebrity Apprentice (also known as The Celebrity Apprentice 8),
playing for the charity Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Early life
Richards was born on January 11, 1969, in the Hollywood
neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of Kathleen Mary
Richards (née Dugan) and Kenneth Edwin Richards. She was named after Kyle Rote,
a football player who played for the New York Giants. The couple separated in
1972, and Kathleen later remarried twice more. Richards' siblings are Kathy
Hilton (born 1959), her older half-sister from her mother's first marriage to
Lawrence Avanzino, and Kim Richards (born 1964), as well as three paternal
half-siblings from her father's first marriage, all of whom were adults by the
time Richards was born. Nicky and Paris Hilton are her nieces. In 1987, she
graduated from Central Union High School in El Centro, California.
Career
1974–2009: Career
beginnings and success with horror films
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Richards began her acting career in 1974, portraying Julia
in the television series Police Woman. She appeared in 18 episodes of NBC's
Western historical drama television series Little House on the Prairie as Alicia
Sanderson Edwards. Her sister, Kim, was also an actress, who appeared in one
episode of Little House on the Prairie, the season before Kyle joined the cast.
The two sisters played on-screen sisters in the 1977 thriller film The Car.
Through the 1970s, Richards appeared on several television series, such as
Flying High, Vega$, Fantasy Island, Time Express and Carter Country.
Richards portrayed Lindsey Wallace in the slasher film
Halloween (1978) alongside Jamie Lee Curtis. Halloween became a widely
influential film within the horror genre; it was largely responsible for the
popularization of slasher films in the 1980s and helped develop the slasher
genre. The film grossed $70 million at the worldwide box office and
subsequently expanded into a Halloween franchise with thirteen sequel films.
She portrayed Ellie Curtis in the supernatural horror film The Watcher in the
Woods (1980) alongside Bette Davis. She had one of the main roles as teenager
Lissy Preston in the fantasy sitcom Down to Earth (1984–1987), which ran for
seven seasons. The series followed the Preston family in daily situations.
2010–2022: Real
Housewives and Halloween films
Since 2010, she has appeared as a main cast member on
Bravo's reality television show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Richards
continued acting, and played Tricia in Lifetime's television film Deadly
Sibling Rivalry (2011) and Housewife Heather in the comedy film The Hungover
Games (2014). In 2012, she graced the magazine cover of The Hollywood Reporter
along with other Real Housewives franchise's cast members Vicki Gunvalson,
Ramona Singer, Caroline Manzo and NeNe Leakes. She was nominated for "Reality Star of 2019" award
at the 2019 People's Choice Awards. In 2013, she portrayed modeling agent Casey
McGraw in three episodes of NBC's soap opera Days of Our Lives. In 2017,
Richards appeared as a contestant on The New Celebrity Apprentice and earned
$25,000 for her charity of choice, Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She was the
5th contestant fired, finishing in 12th place.
Richards co-executive produced Paramount Network's comedy
television series American Woman (2018), which was inspired by her childhood in
the 1970s. On August 30, 2019, it was confirmed that Richards would reprise the
role of Lindsey Wallace, the role she originated in the original 1978 film, in
Halloween Kills. Following a year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Halloween
Kills had its world premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on
September 8, 2021, and was theatrically released in the United States on
October 15, 2021, by Universal Pictures. The film made $4.85 million from
Thursday night previews, the biggest for both an R-rated title and a horror film
amid the pandemic. The film has grossed a total of $131 million at the
worldwide box office and stands as one of the year's highest grossing horror
movies behind A Quiet Place Part II. Her performance in the film attracted positive
reactions from fans. Richards starred in The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls
Trip, a spin-off featuring various women from The Real Housewives franchise,
which premiered on November 16, 2021, on Peacock. In August 2021, Richards
started filming a Christmas film, The Real Housewives of the North Pole in
Utah, which aired on Peacock on December 9, 2021. The film follows two "Christmas Queens" Trish,
played by Richards and Diana, portrayed by Betsy Brandt, who takes part in
decorating contest every year, but the two get into an argument just days
before Christmas. On October 25, 2021, Entertainment Weekly released first
photos of the film. On December 7, 2021, People magazine announced that
Richards was returning for the upcoming sequel Halloween Ends to reprise her
role as Lindsey Wallace. In 2022, she was nominated for the second time in the
category "The Reality TV Star of
2022" at the People's Choice Awards.
2023–present:
Continued acting roles
On April 3, 2023, Variety reported that Richards landed the
role of involved mother Lola in the LGBTQ romance film The Holiday Exchange
alongside Rick Cosnett and Taylor Frey. The film premiered on October 1, 2024
on streaming services Amazon Prime Video and Peacock.
Business ventures
On February 25, 2014, Richards launched a clothing line for
shopping network HSN. The eight-piece collection was inspired by her personal
style and was priced between $69.90 and $199.90. Richards and Shahida Clayton
debuted their clothing collection titled Kyle x Shahida at New York Fashion Week
on September 8, 2019. Richards is the owner of Kyle by Alene Too, a chain of
boutiques in The Hamptons and New York City. Her boutique in Beverly Hills
opened in 2012 and closed in 2018 with plans to re-open the store in a new
location. In November 2021, Richards opened a luxury resort and loungewear
boutique Kyle x Shahida in Palm Desert.
Her memoir titled Life Is Not a Reality Show: Keeping It
Real with the Housewife Who Does It All was published by HarperOne on December
27, 2011. Richards shares tips on relationships, family and beauty in the book.
List of fashion
collections by Kyle Richards
2014 "Kyle by Kyle Richards" HSN Clothing
collection for shopping network HSN.
2019 "Kyle x Shahida" Kyle Richards
Shahida Clayton Clothing
collection by Richards and Shahida Clayton.
Philanthropy
With her husband, Richards is listed on the "First
Families" of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles which means they have
donated US$100,000 or more to the hospital. She also held fundraisers for the
CHLA in 2013 and 2019, which were featured on the Real Housewives.
Personal life
She has ten small tattoos, including two butterflies, a
cowboy hat and a four-leaf clover.
Relationships and
family
In the 1980s, she dated actor C. Thomas Howell. In 1988, at
the age of 19, Richards married Guraish Aldjufrie, an Indonesian, while she was
pregnant with their daughter Farrah Brittany (born October 31, 1988). They
separated in 1990 and divorced two years later.
Richards met her second husband, Mauricio Umansky, a Los
Angeles real estate agent, in 1994. The couple wed on January 20, 1996, when
Richards was four months pregnant. Their daughter, Alexia Simone, was born on
June 18, 1996. The couple has two more daughters, Sophia Kylie (born January
18, 2000) and Portia (born March 1, 2008). Richards converted to Modern
Orthodox Judaism when she married Umansky. She attends events at the Kabbalah
Centre in Los Angeles.
She resides in Encino, Los Angeles. 'Real Housewife Kyle
Richards Is Venturing Out of Beverly Hills Archived July 20, 2020, at the
Wayback Machine, Observer Archived July 20, 2020, at the Wayback Machine,
October 26, 2017</ref>
On July 3, 2023, People magazine reported that Richards and
Umansky had separated after 27 years of marriage. The couple later released a
joint statement which denied they were divorcing but admitted that they were
going through a difficult period in their marriage. Subsequently, the couple
separated, and Mauricio moved out of their home in the Beverly Hills.
Health
In December 2020, it was reported that Richards tested
positive for COVID-19, along with her co-star Dorit Kemsley and sister Kathy
Hilton. Production for season 11 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was
temporarily suspended.
In July 2022, Richards stopped drinking alcohol and began to
focus more on fitness and exercising. She discussed her fitness journey in a
cover story for Us Weekly magazine in December 2023.
Filmography
Film and television
1974 Police Woman Julie Faulkner Episode: "The Cradle
Robbers"
1975 Escape to
Witch Mountain Young Tia Malone Uncredited
1975–1982 Little
House on the Prairie Alicia
Sanderson Edwards / Samantha 19
episodes
1976–1978 Police
Story Viki Jo Vero / Shannon /
Nance 3 episodes
1976 Eaten Alive Angie
1977 A Circle of
Children Sarah TV movie
The Car Debbie
The Father Knows Best Reunion Ellen TV
movie
Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas Ellen TV
movie
1978 Halloween Lindsey Wallace
The Wonderful World of Disney Naomi Episode:
"The Million Dollar Dixie
Deliverance"
Flying High Katie Episode: "The Vanishing Point"
1979 Vega$ Julie Travis Episode:
"Kill Dan Tanna!"
Fantasy Island Rebecca Episode: "Cornelius and Alfonse/The Choice"
Time Express Billie
Jane Culper Episode: "Rodeo/Cop"
Carter Country Gerry 4 episodes
Friendships, Secrets, and Lies Livia TV movie
Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and Grill Laurie Jean TV
movie
1980 Once Upon a
Family Liz Demerjian TV movie
The Watcher in the Woods Ellie
Curtis
Beulah Land Young
Sarah TV mini-series
1981 Concrete
Cowboys Isobel Episode #1.1
Halloween II Lindsey
Wallace Archival footage
Hellinger's Law Julie
Braden TV movie
1982 This is Kate
Bennett ... Jennifer Bennett TV movie
CHiPs Jodi Episode: "The Spaceman Made Me Do It"
1984–1987 Down
to Earth Elizabeth 'Lissy' Preston 106 episodes
1989 Curfew Stephanie Davenport Lead role
1990 Escape Lydia
1998 Nick Freno:
Licensed Teacher N/A Episode: "Model Citizen"
Love Boat: The Next Wave Scheming
Woman Episode: "Captains Courageous"
1998–2006 ER Nurse Dori Kerns 21 episodes
1999 Beverly
Hills, 90210 Anna Murphy Episode: "Bobbi
Dearest"
City Guys Kate Episode: "Miracle on 134th Street and Lexington Avenue"
2003 7th Heaven Matt's Patient Episode: "Life and
Death: Part 1"
2006 Pledge This! Lisa
2011 Deadly
Sibling Rivalry Tricia Lifetime television film
2012 CSI: Crime
Scene Investigation Ms. Young Episode: "Play Dead"
2013 Days of Our
Lives Casey McGraw 3 episodes
2014 The Hungover
Games Heather
2021 The Prince Kyle Richards Voice; episode: "Beverly
Hills"
The Housewives of the North Pole Trish Peacock
original film
Halloween Kills Lindsey Wallace
2022 Halloween
Ends
2023 How I Met
Your Father Missy Moritz Episode: "Family Business"
2024 The Holiday
Exchange Lola Williams
Beautiful Wedding Vivian
Hayes
As herself
2003–2006 The
Simple Life 3 episodes
2005 I Want To Be
Hilton 4 episodes
2010–present The
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Main
cast; 281 episodes
2013 Vanderpump
Rules Episode: "Tooth or Consequences"
Betty White's Off Their Rockers Episode: "Episode #2.8"
2013, 2022 Whose
Line Is It Anyway? Episode: "Kyle Richards" and "Kyle Richards 2"
2014 The Doctors Episode: "Compulsive Behaviors Triggered by Medication? / Reality
Star Reveals Secret
Health Struggle/Dangers of Prescription Drugs"
2015–2024 Entertainment Tonight Guest and guest co-host; 21
episodes
2015 Girlfriends'
Guide to Divorce Episode: "Rule #58: Avoid the Douchemobile"
2015–2016 FabLife 3 episodes
2016, 2021 Keeping
Up with the Kardashians Episode:
"Lord of the Cougars" and
"The End of An Era"
2017 The New
Celebrity Apprentice Contestant; 7
episodes
2019 Match Game Episode: "Horatio Sanz/Sherri Shepherd/Thomas Lennon/
Ellie Kemper/ Kenan
Thompson/Kyle Richards"
2020 Barkitecture Episode: "Kyle Richards: Real Housedogs of Beverly Hills"
Celebrity Family Feud Episode:
"Andy Cohen vs. Real Housewives of
Beverly Hills
and Kevin Nealon vs.
Drew Carey"
2021 The Real
Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip 7
episodes
2022–2024 Buying
Beverly Hills 4 episodes
2024 We Are
Family Episode: "Who's Your Daddy?"
Music videos
Year Title Artist Role
2014 "G.U.Y." Lady Gaga The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Band
2023 "Fall in Love with Me" Morgan Wade Love
interest
As producer
2018 American
Woman Co-executive producer 11 episodes
Awards and
nominations
1982 Academy of
Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films Best
Supporting Actress The
Watcher in the Woods Nominated
Young Artist Awards Best
Young Motion Picture Actress Nominated
1984 Best Young
Actress in a Movie Made for Television This
Is Kate Bennett... Nominated
1985 Best Young
Actor/Actress in a Cable Series or Program Down
to Earth Nominated
2019 People's
Choice Awards Favorite
Reality TV Star The Real Housewives of
Beverly Hills Nominated
2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards Most Frightened Performance Halloween Kills Nominated
People's Choice Awards The
Reality TV Star Of 2022 The Real
Housewives of Beverly Hills Nominated
2024 People's
Choice Awards The Reality
TV Star of the Year The Real Housewives
of Beverly Hills Nominated
Bibliography
Richards, Kyle (December 27, 2011). Life Is Not a Reality
Show: Keeping It Real with the Housewife Who Does It All. New York, NY:
HarperOne. ISBN 978-0062113481.
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