Kate Walsh (actress)

Kate Walsh

Walsh at the HBO Post-Emmys Party, Pacific Design Center, September 21, 2008
Born Kathleen Erin Walsh
October 13, 1967 (1967-10-13) (age 43)
, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 1996–present
Spouse Alex Young (2007-2010) (divorced)
Website
http://www.katewalsh.com

Kathleen Erin "Kate" Walsh (born October 13, 1967) is an American film and television actress, currently known for her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery on the ABC dramas Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice.

Contents

Early life

Walsh was born in San Jose, California and grew up in Tucson, Arizona. Her father, a native of Navan in County Meath, Ireland, was Irish American, and her maternal grandfather came from Italy.[1] Her mother Angela lives in Nevada and Walsh has four older siblings. She has two sisters and two brothers, Sean and Joe, who are film-makers. Walsh studied at the University of Arizona for a while where she got involved in regional theater. She now lives in Los Angeles. She was raised Roman Catholic.[2]

Career

Early career

Walsh was a model in Japan during the 1980s where she also taught English to Japanese students. She moved to Chicago and worked with the Piven Theatre Workshop. She performed on National Public Radio in the production of the radio play Born Guilty. Walsh later moved to New York City and joined the comedy troupe Burn Manhattan on June 27, 1987, performing in a number of Off-Broadway plays.

Television roles

After playing Cathy Buxton in the "Stakeout" episode of Homicide: Life on the Street in 1996, her first major television appearance was in 1997, when she appeared on The Drew Carey Show as Carey's character's girlfriend Nicki. She wore a fatsuit in some episodes of the show, as the Nicki character was a formerly obese woman who lost weight and slowly started to gain it back. She went on to portray Carol Nelson in HBO's The Mind of the Married Man television series, and played Norm Macdonald's romantic interest in the sitcom The Norm Show. Walsh also made a notable guest appearance on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as Mimosa, a transsexual. She sometimes appeared in sketches on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. She had a recurring role on Karen Sisco as Detective Marley Novak in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, she was cast in the ABC series, Grey's Anatomy, as Dr. Addison Montgomery, the estranged spouse of Derek Shepherd ("Dr. McDreamy", played by Patrick Dempsey).

It was announced in February 2007 that Walsh's Grey's Anatomy character Addison would be in a spin-off of Grey's Anatomy that began airing in September 2007. Taye Diggs, Tim Daly, Amy Brenneman, Chris Lowell and Audra McDonald have been cast in the spin-off, which has been given the name Private Practice.[3][4] Walsh returned to Seattle Grace as a guest star for episode thirteen in Season 4 and episodes 15 and 16 in Season 5 of Grey's Anatomy. She is currently playing the character of Addison Montgomery in the third season of Private Practice, for which ABC has ordered a full season of episodes.[5]

Beginning in September 2007, Walsh has appeared in television commercials for the 2008 Cadillac CTS.[6] She is also the current spokeswoman for Caress' Exotic Oil Infusions body wash.[7]

Film roles

The crime drama Normal Life marked her film debut; she played the sister of a bank robber played by Luke Perry. She portrayed a kleptomaniac in the film Peppermills. Walsh also appeared in the cult movie, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Part 2. She had her first significant role in a major Hollywood production as Will Ferrell's wife in the family comedy, Kicking & Screaming, alongside Robert Duvall and Mike Ditka. Walsh has also appeared in several other films with Ferrell, including Bewitched (also with Nicole Kidman) and an "alternate film" to Anchorman titled, Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie.

In 2003, Walsh appeared in Under the Tuscan Sun, with Diane Lane and Sandra Oh. She played the partner of Sandra Oh's character. Regarding her various lesbian roles, Walsh said: "Do I give off a girl-on-girl vibe, I wonder? Or is it because I’m tall? I guess the chicks just dig me!"[8]

Walsh was also set to star across John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson in the supernatural thriller 1408, but she had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.[9] Walsh starred alongside Dennis Quaid and Paul Bettany in the biblical horror film Legion, that was released on January 22, 2010.[10]

Theatre

In May 2010, Kate Walsh will make her off-Broadway debut opposite Paul Sparks in Atlantic Theater Company’s world premiere of Stephen Belber’s Dusk Rings a Bell. The new play begins previews on May 19 and opens May 27 at Atlantic Stage 2.

She also had a long theater career in Chicago, which included roles in Happy Birthday Wanda June, The Danube, Moon Under Miami and Troilus and Cressida. In New York, Walsh was a member of the improvisational comedy troupe Burn Manhattan and the New York City Players theater ensemble.[11]

Personal life

Walsh married movie executive Alex Young on September 1, 2007. They were married in the Ojai Presbyterian Church in Ojai, north of Los Angeles.[12] On December 11, 2008, it was announced that Young filed for divorce after 15 months of marriage.[13] On December 24, 2008, Walsh counterfiled for divorce, contesting the date of separation listed in Young's divorce papers.[14] The divorce was finalized February 5, 2010.[15]

In September 2009, Walsh launched her official website.[16]

Social and political activism

Since the summer of 2007, Walsh has been the spokesperson for Narcolepsy Network, working to promote national awareness of narcolepsy through infomercials and DVDs.[17]

In January 2008, Walsh participated in a video for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called, "Yes We Can", produced by will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.[18] She also campaigned for Obama in Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.[19]

In July 2008, Walsh was nominated as a candidate on the Unite for Strength slate for a place on the national governing board of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in elections scheduled for 18 September 2008.[20] On September 18, 2008, Walsh was elected to serve on the SAG board for a three year term. Walsh ran as a candidate with the Unite for Strength party who won 6 of the 11 Hollywood Division seats which were up for contention in the recent Screen Actor's Guild National Board elections.[21]

Walsh supports pet adoption and frequently campaigns for the cause. On February 7, 2008, she cut the ribbon to a new dog adoption center named Pedigree(R) Dogstore in Times Square.[22]

In 2005, Walsh joined the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA)'s Board of Advocates, and in 2008 received the PPFA Maggie Award for an Artist who Stands Up for Reproductive Health and Freedom. Kate has participated in numerous Planned Parenthood activities, including national fundraisers, local Planned Parenthood affiliate events, the PPFA Awards Gala, and lobby day on Capitol Hill promoting the need for comprehensive sex education. In January 2009, Kate spoke at the Planned Parenthood Presidential Inauguration Brunch in Washington, DC.[23]

Fragrance

On March 28th, 2010, Walsh announced her plans to release her own signature fragrance in the autumn of the same year.

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
1996 Normal Life Cindy Anderson
1997 Peppermills Lena
Night of the Lawyers Pressie Brooks (Biker)
1998 Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer Cricket
Three Below Zero Moirat
Heaven Diner
2000 The Family Man Jeannie
2002 Anatomy of a Breakup Lorra
A Day in the Life of Nancy M. Pimental Kate Direct-to-DVD release
2003 Under the Tuscan Sun Grace
2004 After the Sunset Shelia
Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie Sue Direct-to-DVD release
2005 Kicking & Screaming Barbara Weston
Inside Out Tyne
Bewitched Sexy Waitress
2010 Legion Sandra Anderson
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1996 Homicide: Life on the Street Cathy Buxton 1 episode
Swift Justice Paula "Paulie" Goddard 1 episode
1997 Law & Order Lt. Kirstin Blair 1 episode
1997-2001 The Drew Carey Show Nicki Fifer 21 episodes
1998 Cupid Heidi 1 episode
1999 Turks Terry Unknown episodes
The Mike O'Malley Show Marcia Unknown episodes
2000 Cursed Stace 1 episode
2000-2001 The Norm Show Jenny 5 episodes
2001 The Fugitive Agent Eve Hilliard 3 episodes
The Mind of the Married Man Carol Nelson 3 episodes
2003-2004 Karen Sisco Marley Novak 2 episodes
2004 Joint Custody Florence Unknown episodes
The Men's Room Karen 3 episodes
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Mimosa 1 episode
Complete Savages Maggie 1 episode
2005 Bobby Cannon London Television movie
Eyes Kendall Judd 1 episode
2005-2010 Grey's Anatomy Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd Former series regular; occasional guest appearances
2007-present Private Practice Dr. Addison Montgomery Main Character
2008 Upright Citizens Brigade: Asssscat Guest Monologist Television movie

Awards and nominations

Year Award Result Category Series
2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominated Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Grey's Anatomy (Shared with cast)
2007 Won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Grey's Anatomy (Shared with cast)
2008 Nominated Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Grey's Anatomy (Shared with cast)

References

  1. ↑ Stated in a commercial interview that Walsh did for Cadillac; "Kate Walsh “The Elegant, Sexy and Luxurious CTS”". mycadillacstory.com. http://www.mycadillacstory.com/. 
  2. ↑ {http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5eI914Q6S8}
  3. ↑ "Grey's Anatomy" Spin-Off Planned, Dr. Addison Shepherd to Leave Seattle Grace, WSBTV.com, March 5, 2007
  4. ↑ Edward Wyatt (April 28, 2007). "Well-Known Secret: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Spinoff for ABC". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/28/arts/television/28grey.html?ref=television. Retrieved 2007-05-05. 
  5. ↑ "Kate Walsh Biography", Total-Babe.com Wiki (October 26, 2008)
  6. ↑ Garfield, Bob (2007-10-01). "Taking Cadillac from Stodgy to Sexy: Kate Walsh". adage.com. http://adage.com/garfield/post?article_id=120814. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
  7. ↑ "Grey's Anatomy's Kate Walsh Stars in 21st Century Fairytale Webisodes". ivnnetwork.com. 2008-11-15. http://www.ivnnetwork.com/news/174/ARTICLE/31745/2008-11-15.html. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
  8. ↑ Walls, Jeannette (2006-11-01). "Notes from all over". msnbc.msn.com. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15066207/. 
  9. ↑ Mohr, Ian (2009-08-13). "'1408' books a new tenant". variety.com. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117948401.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
  10. ↑ Fleming, Michael (2008-03-27). "Quaid, Walsh join Stewart's 'Legion'". variety.com. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117983055.html. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
  11. ↑ Private Practice Star Kate Walsh and Paul Sparks to Star in Dusk Rings a Bell at the Atlantic
  12. ↑ Wihlborg, Ulrica (2007-09-01). "Grey's Anatomy's Kate Walsh Marries Movie Executive". people.com. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20054425,00.html. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
  13. ↑ "Kate Walsh Splits From Husband". people.com. 2008-12-11. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20246226,00.html. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
  14. ↑ "Kate Walsh & Ex Disagree on Date of Split". people.com. 2008-12-24. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20249076,00.html. Retrieved 2008-12-24. 
  15. ↑ http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20342085,00.html
  16. ↑ "KateWalsh.com Goes Live". katewalsh.com. 2009-09-14. http://www.katewalsh.com/kate-walsh/2009/09/katewalshcom-goes-live.html. Retrieved 2009-09-17. 
  17. ↑ "Actress Kate Walsh Partners With The Narcolepsy Network To Raise Awareness Of Narcolepsy". prnewswire.com. 2008-03-05. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-05-2007/0004539544&EDATE. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
  18. ↑ "will.i.am's "Yes We Can Song" Video Awarded Emmy for New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment". reuters.com. 2008-06-16. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS146320+16-Jun-2008+MW20080616. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
  19. ↑ Walsh discussed this in an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman (February 11, 2008)
  20. ↑ "Hollywood actors' union faces internal rift". Reuters. 2008-07-25. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/25/2314256.htm?section=entertainment. Retrieved 2008-07-27. 
  21. ↑ McNary, Dave (2008-09-18). "SAG power shifts". variety.com. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117992472.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2563%3C. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
  22. ↑ "KATE WALSH- WALSH OPENS DOG ADOPTION CENTER". contactmusic.com. 2008-02-08. http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/walsh%20opens%20dog%20adoption%20shelter_1058867. Retrieved 2009-02-28. 
  23. ↑ http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/boards-initiatives/board-advocates-26417.htm

External links