Kolk was a professional musician before he became an actor. He played drums for orchestras on the
Keith Circuit He also was a "favorite singer and entertainer" at the Le Paradis supper club in Washington, and he headed the first revue at the Silver Slipper supper club when it opened in that city. Actress
Marion Davies saw Kolk perform musically in Venice, Italy, while she was on a tour of Europe. She suggested that he try performing in films, which led him to take screen tests at
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. As a result of those tests, he was cast in Davies's first sound film. He bought a farm in Maine with his savings and lived alone with minimal contact with neighbors. He spent time with the land, including plowing, harvesting, and hunting. About years later, he returned to Hollywood. His work in films included having the starring role in the 12-part serial
Secret Agent X-9 (1937). == Death ==