Biography

Met and fell in love with Rex Harrison, who was married at the time, after they appeared together in Un mari [presque] fidèle ! (1955). Rex learned of Kay's leukemia from her doctor a couple of years later. He divorced Lilli Palmer and married Kay in 1957, agreeing with the doctor never to tell her the reason for her failing health. They lived the good life up until the end.

Jill St. John has said that Kendall was her idol.

Her husband Rex Harrison maintained that while he was singing "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" in My Fair Lady (1964) he was thinking of her to access his innermost emotion. This is particularly evident in one scene where he sits and looks almost tearful and lost.

Cousin of Jack Cardiff

She was born at Stanley House, Hull Road, Withernsea near the lighthouse, which after being decommissioned was bought by her brother in law, Dr Rollo Campbell and turned into a museum with one room devoted to Kay.