Kathy Baker is an award-winning actress who has made an impact in all three mediums: stage, film, and TV. Despite her versatility in various roles, she has been denied widespread stardom.
Born Katherine Whitton Baker in Midland, Texas, Kathy was raised in New Mexico. She began her acting career at the age of 10 and was influenced by her French-born mother. Kathy attended the University of California at Berkeley and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in French in 1977. She then studied haute cuisine at the Cordon Bleu in Paris.
Kathy's early career included working as a pastry chef and acting at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco. Her performance in "The Man Who Killed the Buddha" caught the attention of playwright Sam Shepard, who cast her in his play "Fool for Love" in 1983. The play premiered in New York and received exceptional notices, earning Kathy an Obie Award for her performance.
In 1983, Kathy made her film debut in "The Right Stuff" and continued to make strides on the New York stage. She appeared in "Desire Under the Elms" and "Aunt Dan and Lemon" at Joseph Papp's Shakespeare Festival in 1986. Her performance in "Street Smart" (1987) earned her critical acclaim and several awards.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Kathy continued to deliver spot-on performances in various films, including "Clean and Sober," "Permanent Record," "Jacknife," and "Edward Scissorhands." However, her movie roles became less frequent and noteworthy, prompting her to focus on TV roles.
Kathy found success on TV with her role as Dr. Jill Brock in the series "Picket Fences" (1992-1996),earning three Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series." She has since appeared in numerous TV shows, including "Boston Public," "Against the Wall," "I'm Sorry," "The Ranch," and "Criminal Minds."
In addition to her TV work, Kathy has continued to appear in films, including "The Glass House," "Assassination Tango," "Cold Mountain," "Nine Lives," "All the King's Men," "The Jane Austen Book Club," "Miss Nobody," "Seven Days in Utopia," "Saving Mr. Banks," "The Ballad of Lefty Brown," and "The Art of Racing in the Rain."
Kathy has been married twice and has two children. She has received numerous awards and nominations for her performances, including several Emmy nominations and wins.
