Catholyne "Kaye" Pownall
(April 2, 1928 – November 27, 2021)
Journeyman Hair Stylist

What will become of me? This is a question Catholyne "Kaye" Pownall often pondered while growing up on the family farm in Rossburn, Manitoba Canada. A small farming community of about 400 people. Back then, life was simple for this hazel-eyed girl, after all, she was the daughter of a farmer. From a very young age, she set her sights on a better life. Armed with a suitcase, small savings, and a big dream, the ink on her new cosmetology certificate still wet, she made her way to New York City. She knew then she wanted to create hairstyles for the most fashionable of ladies. Kaye had a vision not only for herself but for those she had the pleasure of working with. She eventually made her way out west, met the love of her life, Mason, also a hairstylist and an accomplished musician. They settled in North Hollywood and were married for 57 years, and eventually retired in Thousand Palms, California.

Back in 1965, While walking to her job at a local hair salon, she tripped over a garden hose being pulled by a gentleman watering his lawn. After a quick apology, and a brief introduction, he invited Kaye to work as a backup stylist for nearby Warner Brothers Studios. Her work was quickly noticed and one day got an invitation to a party hosted by a famous film director.

Unbeknownst to Kaye, that encounter would change her life. As fate would have it, that director was working on the set of a film at 20th Century Fox Studios, and he needed a hairstylist to work with an up-in-coming, and precocious actress. In Kaye’s own words, "I was unimpressed with his offer, I had a steady job at the salon. I thought he was just looking for a date." That actress was Sharon Tate, and the film was Valley of the Dolls.

Kaye recalls meeting with Director Mark Robson who asked her how she would style Sharon’s hair for her upcoming role. According to Kaye, she says during a rehearsal, she stood nearby and studied Sharon’s face and features, she remembers saying to Robson, "You have to analyze the persons’ personality, and the character they are playing before their hairstyle can be created."

That sensibility landed Kaye a full-time professional job. Kaye went on to work on over 60 films and television shows produced in Hollywood. She became the first female to receive the coveted Union membership in the Makeup and Hairstylists Guild. Her most notable hairstyles were created for Oscar-winning actress Barbra Streisand. They eventually worked on 10 films together including; The Way We Were, A Star is Born, and Funny Lady, and The Main Event. During a recent conversation with Barbra, she recalls Kaye being more than her stylist, "She was my support system, she calmed me, she even rubbed my head. She would bring an amazing home-made salad dressing to share with me on set." Kaye didn’t just coif, females, she worked with Chevy Chase on 4 of his most memorable films, including; Caddy Shack, and Christmas Vacation. Kaye proudly recalled; Chevy credited her for perfecting his on-screen appearance. "Kaye made the hair and make-up trailer a fun place. She was always cheerful and ready for fun, she loved to laugh which of course made it fun for me too. And on the difficult or tedious days, she often had some deep wisdom to share. I always looked forward to seeing her, she was a lovely lady."

Of course, who could forget the work she did with Academy Award winner John Voight on Table for Five, and Desert Bloom. Kaye’s imagination didn’t stop there. She created hairstyles for the cast of Planet of the Apes. A bust of Dr. Zaius played by Maurice Evans is on display at MoPop in Seattle. Also, the cult classic, Child’s Play 3, featuring Chucky.

Kaye’s most iconic hairstyles didn’t just appear on screen, they became a part of pop culture. When Kaye styled Julia Robert’s hair in Sleeping with the Enemy, hundreds of thousands of women around the country flocked to their local hair salons and requested Julia’s naturally curly look.

Millions of people around the world have seen Kaye Pownall’s work on screen and in everyday life. From Terms of Endearment, 9 to 5, and the Goodbye Girl, Kaye has left an indelible legacy and inspired generations of moviegoers, and burgeoning hair stylists with her creative talent that helped bring her film’s characters to life.

Kaye always quipped, "A good first impression has to include the perfect look, and that look has to include the perfect hairstyle." That’s the legacy she leaves behind.

By: Dr. Lisa Giarraputo, DHA, MS, MT, CLS, (ASCP).
Dr. Gabriel Ramirez, DHA, MPA, BS.