70s bombshell who was poised for Hollywood superstardom after starring in one of decade's biggest TV hits steps out at 74... who is she?

This retired actress was once the Hollywood golden girl of the 1970s after appearing in one of the most successful TV franchises of the era. The now 74-year-old made a rare public appearance while shopping in Los Angeles recently.She was dressed casually in a charcoal top, cuffed jeans, trainers and dark sunglasses as she pushed her cart of groceries through the parking lot. A small fly tattoo could be spied on her forearm during the low-key outing.After a pair of forgettable roles in early 70s exploitation films, the blonde with a winning smile resurfaced mid-decade as the wholesome newcomer in one of the most successful, Emmy-winning miniseries of that time. So can you guess who she is? This retired actress was once the Hollywood golden girl of the 1970s after appearing in one of the most successful TV franchises of the era - who is she? A small fly tattoo could be seen on her forearm during the low-key supermarket run.It's Kathryn 'Kitty' Holcomb. Her star shone bright as Laura Macahan in the hit miniseries How the West Was Won, which premiered in 1977. Holcomb stole scenes opposite Gunsmoke legend James Arness and On the Waterfront Oscar winner Eva Marie Saint in the epic tale of the Macahans, a family from Virginia traveling cross country to pioneer a new land and a new home in the American West.The initial special presentation, a two-hour TV movie titled simply, The Macahans, in 1976, proved so popular that the network picked up How the West Was Won as a regular series through 1979.The show also was especially popular internationally, amassing a larger and more enduring audience there than in the US. The series has been rebroadcast many times on various European networks throughout France, Germany, Italy, Norway and Sweden, resulting in a cult following.Holcomb would go on to marry the up-and-coming hunk who played her brother Luke Macahan in 1977: Bruce Boxleitner, of Scarecrow and Mrs King, Tron and Babylon 5 fame years later. The couple had two sons, Sam Boxleitner and Lee Boxleitner, born in 1980 and 1985, respectively, before divorcing in 1987. You might not recall her name in 2026, but 50 years ago in 1976, forgotten starlet Kathryn Holcomb's star shone bright as Laura Macahan in the hit miniseries How the West Was Won Kathryn Holcomb, with co-stars James Arness, Fionnula Flanagan and Holcomb's future husband, Bruce Boxleitner, as the Macahan family in How the West Was Won The star enjoyed a day of shopping in LA Holcomb looked casually cool as she stepped out The initial special presentation (a two-hour TV movie titled simply, The Macahans, in 1976) proved so popular that the network picked up How the West Was Won as a regular series through 1979 Holcomb, then known professionally as Kitty, played daughter Laura Macahan in the ABC series How the West Was Won, from 1976 to 1979. Holcomb is seen here in a 1978 episode of Fantasy Island titled, Call Me Lucky/Torch Singer Co-stars Bruce Boxleitner and Holcomb, pictured here in 1978, were married in 1977. The couple had two sons—Sam Boxleitner and Lee Boxleitner, born in 1980 and 1985, respectively—before divorcing in 1987 Holcomb and her second husband Ian Ogilvy, 83, the veteran English actor, playwright and novelist, married in 1992 and are pictured here in 2002Alas, her career was also essentially over by the dawn of the new decade.Holcomb's 1980 series Skag, in which she played the daughter of Streetcar Named Desire icon Karl Malden and The Hustler and Carrie Oscar nominee Piper Laurie, earned critical acclaim and a barrage of awards recognition for its gritty depiction of working class life in a Pittsburgh factory town. Skag was canceled after one low-rated season on NBC.Guest star parts on a pair of CBS series – Stacy Keach's take on Mickey Spillane's iconic 50s gumshoe, The New Mike Hammer (1986), and the detective bros hit Simon & Simon (1988) – closed out the Reagan era.Her final screen credit was a supporting voice role in the 1991 animated film Rock-A-Doodle featuring the impressive vocal talents of music legend Glen Campbell, Sound of Music star Christopher Plummer and Little Shop of Horrors showstopper Ellen Greene.Holcomb went on to marry British actor-writer Ian Ogilvy (I, Claudius, Death Becomes Her) in 1992 and has lived a private life out of the spotlight ever since.The Daily Mail has contacted Holcomb for further comment.