Clifford "Kip" Wallace Niven, 73, of Leawood, Kansas passed away on May 6 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri on May 27th 1945 to William Watson Niven and Elizabeth Hopkins Niven, he grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas. Kip graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School and the University of Kansas. After college, he served three years in the US Army and was a Vietnam War veteran.
He was an actor, having appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theater and as an Artist-in-Resident, as well as in over a dozen feature films, 100+ network television shows and numerous national, regional and radio commercials. He was a vested member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association and served as vice president of Equity's Kansas City area liaison committee.
Kip is survived by his children, Jim and Christa Niven, Kate and Matthew Morse and Maggie Niven. His brothers and sisters-in-law David and Molly and Lloyd and Susan Niven. His eight grandchildren Grayson, Angelica, Talen, Zeke, Toby and Scout Niven and Riley and Wyatt Morse. And of course, his beloved sweetheart Claudia Copping.
In lieu of flowers contributions to AIDS Walk Kansas City, Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri and Wayside Waifs would be appreciated. These organizations were near and dear to Kip's heart.