Kimiko (Kim) Gelman won the role of Rose on the NBC-TV series, "Rags to Riches" by being in the right place at the right time. Born on February 20 in Brooklyn, this native New Yorker had never been on an airplane before coming to Los Angeles to begin filming the series early last year. Aspiring to be an actress as a little girl, Kim attended a professional school of the arts in Brooklyn and worked in many off-off Broadway plays before being cast in the ABC soap opera, "Loving," as Treasure, a hooker with a heart of gold.
While filming "Loving," Kim attended Hunter College, majoring in liberal arts.
Spring 1986, Kim heard about an open call for girls auditioning for an NBC pilot. Her agents were reluctant to submit her feeling she looked too old for the role of a 16 year old, but Kim was determined and went to the call taking her pictures and dressing as young as she could.
After reading for the casting director, Kim was called back a week later to read for the producers. "That was on a Friday and by Saturday I was on a plane for the first time with two days worth of clothes to read for the network executives in Los Angeles." She got the part and did not get back to New York for six weeks, having to send home for clothes and buy what she needed more during the filming of the pilot.
When "Rags to Riches" finished the pilot, Kim returned to New York and her role on "Loving," but four months later, packed her suitcases for a more permanent return to L.A. to begin filming the series. Gearing up for the second season, Kim is moving into her own apartment , has bought a car and a VCR and is committing herself to a new career in Hollywood.
After spending the spring in Paris on a well-earned vacation, Kim is looking forward to getting back to work. Active in all sports, she has joined a gym and spends her days off taking dancing and singing lessons. It's all in a day's work for Kimiko Gelman.
Biography written by Hanson & Schwam public relations, 1987.